tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post1165029904004753098..comments2023-10-22T16:13:55.130+01:00Comments on My journey to black belt: Awareness – let's not just pay lip service to this important area of training.Sue Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16008609198511182782noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-37356814907545463702011-10-19T16:43:18.257+01:002011-10-19T16:43:18.257+01:00Thanks John, I'll check it out...Thanks John, I'll check it out...Sue Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008609198511182782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-67423249679198934412011-10-19T00:55:04.797+01:002011-10-19T00:55:04.797+01:00Check out The Gift of Fear and other survival sign...Check out The Gift of Fear and other survival signals that protect us from violence by Gavin De BeckerJohn Coleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14634192254115557179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-65241200081744930392011-10-18T19:16:49.555+01:002011-10-18T19:16:49.555+01:00Kind words Charles, thank youKind words Charles, thank youSue Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008609198511182782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-8856961559343178942011-10-18T15:53:19.906+01:002011-10-18T15:53:19.906+01:00Hi, Sue: Thanks ... "as a woman, may be a lit...Hi, Sue: Thanks ... "as a woman, may be a little different to yours..."<br /><br />I would agree. I believe, from my side of the pond anyway, that our society teaches males and females in a vastly different manner concerning fights and war and thus self defense BUT my view in today's world that this is and has changed ... for the better.<br /><br />When I read your posts and hear of your efforts and when I read between the lines I see from your efforts a positive change that benefits women but more importantly all of us especially in MA.<br /><br />You should feel very good about what you have done, accomplished and are achieving.<br /><br />Thanks, as you can see your input does inspire some interesting topics and posts .... :-)Charles Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13812618556413423872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-31194236999117810502011-10-18T13:55:54.694+01:002011-10-18T13:55:54.694+01:00Charles, this is a fantastic response, thank you s...Charles, this is a fantastic response, thank you so much for taking up my challenge. I like the way you have split the list up into these various categories. It's true that we rely a lot on our 'spidery senses' or instincts and we shouldn't ignore a 'bad feeling' that we may get about a situation. <br /><br />You have inspired me to make my own list which I think, as a woman, may be a little different to yours...Sue Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008609198511182782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-29596455435224123692011-10-17T20:31:11.593+01:002011-10-17T20:31:11.593+01:00I'll set you a challenge Charles - list me 10 ...I'll set you a challenge Charles - list me 10 things that you look out for in your environment when you are out and about as part of your self-protection strategy (and don't refer me to a book!)<br /><br />1. impressions: I tend to allow my instincts to notify me of things that would cause me pause. <br />1a. the collection of young adults whose demeanor cause the hair on the back of my neck to tickle.<br />1b. two or more individuals standing at one end and the other where exit routes are missing or restricted.<br />1c. the way a person walking toward me looks, i.e. eyes, face, body language such as eyes darting, face in a grim setting, fist clenched, etc. but temper that with the possibility in relation to the environment might be someone upset about work or what ever and your not involved.<br />1d. the overall impressions of the environment where there are lots of vagrants or youth or groups or bars and a type of bar that is seedy and suspicious, etc.<br /><br />2. I scan as I walk where I might look for:<br />2a. police collecting around persons.<br />2b. fire and emergency vehicles along with the impression of the environment that may indicate some trouble or maybe an accident, etc.<br />2c. running persons dressed in a manner that does not fit and then impressions as to the overall demeaner where I might simply turn and walk across the street placing distance between me and the direction they run.<br />2d. loud noises that don't fit cause me to scan quickly to identify and classify the situation while moving towards a pre-scooped safety area.<br /><br />3. Sounds<br />3a. traffic, i.e. loud roaring that might indicate some vehicle driving dangerously - cop chasing a drunk where that could cause loss of control and running my old butt over.<br />3b. Does my environment consist of building, people, businesses that could cater to less then stellar persons so I would turn around and go a different direction.<br />3c. hiding spaces such as alleys, dumpsters and the amount of bystanders that would be witness vs. no one in sight but me and a lot of hiding places.<br />3d. look up to top of trees or buildings with balcony or fire ladders for gawkers or folks that look like they have mischief in mind. <br />3e. sounds of arguing of two or especially more than two people.<br />3f. sounds of groups gathered in locations such as train stations or commuter trains. <br /><br />4. Sights<br />4a. the demeanor and dress of folks standing close to my seat in a commuter train.<br />4b. individuals out of place when I stop at stop signs, stop lights, intersections.<br />4c. the driving habits of those around me. especially two suspicious cars that pull fast in front then slow while another comes up fast behind me.<br />4d. look for various avenues of escape both on foot and while driving always allowing an escape route to safety.<br /><br />In a nutshell and quickly but in reality my knowledge and decision to exclude such things from my environment both at home and work make it a matter of listening to my instincts and the hair on the back of my neck. Regardless, I listen to that voice in my head. If it speaks I focus my awareness to help trigger deeper instincts to act accordingly.<br /><br />When I get in and our of my car I tend to scan for anything that would cause me to pause. I don't take unnecessary chances and scope out crime maps of where I will go and routes I would take avoiding any and all that might cause my spidery sense to tingle. <br /><br />I have studied those things that would give pause and trigger spidery senses using mother natures survival instincts and I don't ever let my self say, It can't happen to me, here, or what ever. It drives my wife nuts on occasion.Charles Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13812618556413423872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-60503480589476706652011-10-17T16:24:17.383+01:002011-10-17T16:24:17.383+01:00Hi Charles, sorry to be so late in responding - ju...Hi Charles, sorry to be so late in responding - just had one of those weeks!<br /><br />I don't think that these tests so much set you up to fail but rather they make you realise that the brain observes things in a selective way - just because something is in front of you doesn't mean you'll see it, unless you are actually looking for it.<br /><br />This was the point I was trying to make - that if you don't really know what dangers you are looking out for you probably won't notice them in your environment and this is why we should train ourselves to know exactly the kind of things we should be aware of when we are out and about.<br /><br />I'll set you a challenge Charles - list me 10 things that you look out for in your environment when you are out and about as part of your self-protection strategy (and don't refer me to a book!)Sue Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008609198511182782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-6886368300717459392011-10-11T11:54:25.646+01:002011-10-11T11:54:25.646+01:00https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spirit2Power-Martia...https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spirit2Power-Martial-Arts-Film/209387199094319<br /><br />Please see and join the facebook page of a BRAND NEW MARTIAL ARTS FILM coming out on the spirit of the Martial Arts, with World Class Artists, World Champions, masters and international celebrities..including legendary Queen of Martial Arts - Cynthia Rothrock (considered the female equivalent of Bruce Lee)<br /><br />Many thanks for sharing....:-)Spirit2Powerhttp://www.spirit2power.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-88223281983303385482011-10-10T19:27:17.396+01:002011-10-10T19:27:17.396+01:00Sue asked, "So if that task happens to be ‘pr...Sue asked, "So if that task happens to be ‘preventing oneself from being attacked whilst going about our daily business.’ What are the things we should be aware of?"<br /><br />I have to bow down to a greater expert, Mr. Rory Miller and his book facing violence and meditations on violence.<br /><br />He explains the things that would trigger your "instincts" and set off "alarms" allowing you to bring in focus and thus avoid violence, violent environments, etc.<br /><br />:-)Charles Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13812618556413423872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-9623579091650967862011-10-10T19:23:44.450+01:002011-10-10T19:23:44.450+01:00Sue: these tests are geared to cause you to fail. ...Sue: these tests are geared to cause you to fail. These tests were more to point out the foibles of the brain and how it processes the environment.<br /><br />True, it is a good venue to point this out and it is something a karate-ka should be aware occurs much like the diminished capacities encountered by the adrenaline dump of fear, anger, etc.<br /><br />These tests are simply showing you in another direction how "magic" and "magic tricks" actually work.<br /><br />As to awareness you also have to taken into consideration the power of suggestion.<br /><br />Just my two cents, don't allow anyone to get the idea that if they train it will matter when these types of tests are encountered.<br /><br />There are just some things about the mind, etc. that are not trainable.Charles Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13812618556413423872noreply@blogger.com