subject: Expect the Unexpected with Martial Arts and Self-Defense Training [print this page] Expect the Unexpected with Martial Arts and Self-Defense Training
As one not necessarily prone to body bulk or comically-large body inflation, "scrawny" might be an apt moniker. Sometimes the obsession to become an incredible hulk or eighties, jungle-roaming war-hero doesn't come naturally. Without steroids, it would be unlikely to reach that level of small-brained human existence, as there would be no motivation to become that kind of monomaniacal juggernaut that lives for the gym and most intimidating form of societal acceptance. It seems such people have the most influence and the least amount of brain-power to be wielding such power, not unlike the Bush Administration, and can easily get what they want, even if it means by threat of violent action. So-called weaklings, under these circumstances, wouldn't stand a chance, using their own limited devices, should they actually go head to head with such an inundating force of mass. But using someone else's devices can greatly improve such odds, devices such as the ones cultures have perfected over time to serve in such situations, as the product of foreign invasion and employed primarily in times of war, in the form of hand-to-hand combat. Such powerful devices are known as the martial arts and involve no more than one's own body, regardless of how feeble.
Martial arts and self-defense training are not contingent upon body mass. Agility and flexibility are more so the determining factors of successful execution. As self-defense involves the ability to absorb an attack and reflect/deflect it, quick reflexes are crucial, and those can be honed in on with sufficient training. The various techniques which are learned are designed to thwart the attacker by simply catching him off guard. The idea is that you're learning a sequence of moves that cannot be anticipated without proper exposure to them, resulting in an immediate disadvantage. And in coming into contact with someone displaying a mastery over such esoteric self-defense training, it will likely become the last time. The trick is to use the element of surprise to suggest a form of intimidation that does not involve a bulky frame.
If you intend to do more than ensure constant readiness and take such skills into a closed ring, martial arts is for you. With martial arts, more than just self-defense training is involved as attacks in this case are primarily designed to offend as well as defend. Between two trained fighters, surprise is less possible as the fighting is based upon maneuvers learned by both. Learning an extensive array of moves means an ability to anticipate and counter them. The fighting becomes an almost mathematical algorism, no more than a series of automatically-prompted commands and physically-choreographed, sub-conscious cues. The best mathematician, so to speak, that is the one who can convert theory to practice most readily, is ultimately the likeliest victor. Otherwise, a single correctly-placed fist can result in an automatic win. Hopefully with enough Spartan martial arts training, such a situation can be most effectively avoided. Devotion, in any case, is required, and likely to be as grueling as any routine a gym-loitering meathead might experience; so if you simply lack competitive desire, sticking with simple self-defense training would be the best bet. Live with ease and nothing to prove.
