subject: Cultivating your awareness [print this page] As per First Action theory, the first step you anyone should take in Self Defence is to be prepared, and a big part of this is to be aware. By actively being aware you'll not only be less of a target (make harder targets) but it will also improve your mind. You'll notice more and learn more. This article will give simple techniques on improving your awareness.
If you have been going through life 'mindlessly' and day dreaming as you walk/drive/etc (like most people) then becoming aware may take some 'work', but don't distress, it will become second nature soon enough.
The first thing you should do to cultivate awareness is simply to remember to be aware. That means that when you're walking down the street and you catch yourself thinking about what happened on the Bold and the Beautiful that afternoon, stop youself and notice things. Start by seeing things and saying them eg red car, white dog, man skipping. Once you get used to this add more detail eg number plates, what people are wearing etc.
This noticing is also very good if you are geographically challenged (ie you get lost easily). Every 50 metres or so look behind you and notice what is there. What signs have you past, what turns you've taken, what direction you are going (you can learn ways of identifying North South East and West without a compass).
When you enter a new area be aware and notice what can be useful to you eg escape routes, potential weapons, the 'shifty' people to look out for, other potential hazards etc.
On a different level of awareness, use your peripheral vision when ever you remember. After a bit of practice you will start to do it automatically and your mind will be able to absorb more kinds of information at once eg you can be in conversation and still notice what is going on around you. The proof of this is in the females of our species. They naturally use this which is why they are often better at multi tasking and reading social situations.
The last exercise I will mention on improving your awareness deals with the improvement of you less used senses. I think it is fair to say that most people rely on their eyes and ears more than the rest of their senses, so why not take out one of these for a few minutes each day to help improve others. eg do things with your eyes clothes, or simply sit outside and listen to what's happening around you. Use all of your senses! Taste your food, smell the flowers, feel the touch of your partners skin etc etc. This use of your senses will give you a greater experience of life and is also somewhat melodramtically romantic, which is also a nice heart warming feeling for most.
As a final benefit, when you are concentrating on being aware with single thoughts and your mind is not wandering, it is useful as a form of meditation.
