KarateTips Posted July 31, 2002 Posted July 31, 2002 Karate is completely useless. Well, ok, not completely. But unless you have the awareness to accompany it, all your training will amount to peanuts. Too many times I hear the stories of horrific attacks on 'helpless victims' who say that 'it happened so fast' or 'I was caught completely unaware'. When you are aware, you can prepare better for the situation. When you are prepared, you can deal more effectively with the task at hand. What kind of awareness system do you use? How do you recognise a dangerous situation? How do you keep yourself prepared? _________________ Jason Stanley http://www.karatetips.com -------------------------------------------- Free Karate Tips, "how to" Articles and more... -------------------------------------------- [ This Message was edited by: Patrick on 2002-07-31 20:17 ] Jason Stanleyhttps://www.karatetools.com---------------------------------------------------Manage your dojo from anywhere 24/7!---------------------------------------------------
Tobias_Reece Posted July 31, 2002 Posted July 31, 2002 Why have you focused this on karate? "You Are Never Given A Dream Without Also Being Given The Power To Make It True. You May Have To Work For It, However"Principal Kobudo Instructor & OwnerWest Yorkshire Kobudo Academy2nd Kyu (Matayoshi Okinawan Kobudo, IOKA UK)
KarateTips Posted July 31, 2002 Author Posted July 31, 2002 I practice and teach karate and teach awareness as a key part of self defense. I could have easily said TKD is useless or boxing is useless. My point is that you can be a 10th Dan in whatever you like and still get taken out by someone who has no martial arts training if you aren't paying attention. So my question is more focused on 'what is your awareness system'? "Karate is Useless" arouses more interest than "how do you stay aware?" That's all. I'm certainly not putting down what I've practiced for 15 years! Kind Regards, Jason Stanleyhttps://www.karatetools.com---------------------------------------------------Manage your dojo from anywhere 24/7!---------------------------------------------------
rabid hamster Posted July 31, 2002 Posted July 31, 2002 Unless you're someplace safe, just don't daydream when walking around, pay attention to stuff.. and yeah... It is only with the heart that one can see clearly, for the most essential things are invisible to the eye.
ZeRo Posted July 31, 2002 Posted July 31, 2002 i always try and pay attention and look behind me when im walking in places that could b unsafe or if someone could aprouch me easily from behind. my mates think im stupid and parranoad. but hay i feel better.
Phantasmatic Posted July 31, 2002 Posted July 31, 2002 I go along with what Hiya says. "Which one is more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him?" - Obi Wan Kenobi
CTpizzaboy Posted July 31, 2002 Posted July 31, 2002 My first thought was, "Dammit another troll." But wait, you're not a troll, ....or are you? Ah, well. You have to start somewhere. This a trick question, right? I didn't know there was an awareness system out there. I just assume that if I trained hard I'll be aware of my own ability, therefore be able to be aware of my surroundings. Dammit, all of the meditation, and perefferal vision training I've done by myself are just crap. Canh T.I often quote myself. It adds spice to my conversations.
G95champ Posted July 31, 2002 Posted July 31, 2002 I teach the Traffic light awareness system. Green Stage - This is how you are at home with friends or family watching TV. No danger. Yellow Stage - This is how I teach you should be in any public place but I use the example of being a rival High School Football game. The crowd is pumped up and the fans are rowdy. Everyone is foucsed on things going on from the game, to the cheerleaders to the band to old friends. etc. Know where you are and whats going on but be ready. Case like any HS sporting event a fight is just arround the corner. Red Stage - This is when someone has made a threat towards you. Words have been exchanged before so you know troulbe is comming. Also could be like walking down a dark alley at night. I focus on getting my students to realize which phase they are in. Keep your eyes up notice people look at them. Same goes for the enviorment. Get to the point where it clicks in you head I am in Green or Yellow or even Red. As far as you statement about karate being useless well. I think too many people have ranks they did not earn. Thus to say I have a blackbelt don't mean as much now as it did 20 years ago. With that said being a blackbelt don't mean you can fight but it does mean you will always be ready IMO..... (General George S. Patton Jr.) "It's the unconquerable soul of man, and not the nature of the weapon he uses, that ensures victory."
ZeRo Posted July 31, 2002 Posted July 31, 2002 wow this is the 3rd thing tonight i have agreed with you on G95champ. but i usually treat everywhere yellow, part from home and stuff. keep up the good ideas!
KarateTips Posted July 31, 2002 Author Posted July 31, 2002 Your system is very similar to the one that I learned and now teach and I think it's important that students understand and become aware. So many times people are in the 'Green' when they should be in the 'Yellow' and that's when it happens! Suprise is a valuable ally to any attacker. Being able to recognise the signs of a potential attack and avoid it is the best defense no doubt. Knowing the 'animal' instinctual signs such as the puffing out of the chest, the bearing of the teeth, eye movements and changes in breathing patterns are just some of the things to look out for. However when it comes to the crunch, I believe controlling your fear is equally important as knowing how to do an effective technique. You might be able to hit really hard in the dojo when you're under little pressure, but in the street, when you're fearing for your life, it's a whole new game. Jason Stanleyhttps://www.karatetools.com---------------------------------------------------Manage your dojo from anywhere 24/7!---------------------------------------------------
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