From within.

Like it or not, true self-confidence and self-discipline does come "from within." But what specifically does this mean?

We can start by learning what it doesn't mean: confidence from within doesn't mean that you can lean on someone else's opinion of you in order to justify your assertiveness. In other words, you can't wait for someone to validate your opinion of yourself: you have to view yourself in high regards, independently of what other people think of you. At first, this might seem like you're simply lying to yourself, but with time you'll learn that you can view yourself highly.

This doesn't mean that you should use your high opinion of yourself to prop yourself up over other people. In fact, if you are truly getting your confidence "from within," this won't even be necessary, because you won't feel the need to prop yourself up on other people.

Because martial arts places such emphasis on self-defense, it is recognized that the best form of self-defense is learning how to avoid a fight completely. This means carrying yourself with quiet confidence that doesn't ruffle feathers by becoming arrogance. If self-confidence comes from within, it has a better chance of being a cleaner self-confidence that doesn't rub other people the wrong way.

As for self-discipline, you'll also have to learn that only you can get yourself to push out of your comfort zone. No martial artist can directly transfer his skills to another person; instead, you'll have to go through the same pains and dedication in order to win those skills. That means the self-discipline, at some point, will have to come from within you.

If you don't feel like self-confidence or self-discipline currently do make up a part of you, try to realize that this is simply a limiting identify you've created for yourself. If you dig deep, you'll be able to find inner strength that you didn't know you had. Just keep believing in your own strength and eventually you will find it.

Photo Credits: jackol

Originally posted 2009-08-07 05:40:45.

Falling

Take some time to imagine a movie fight scene with people flying through windows, opponents using chairs to smash over their targets back and people falling down the stairs and onto the floor.  This all looks great on the silver screen, but in real life, they do not use sugar glass to hit you over the head with a beer bottle.

On the set of a movie, all of the actors and stuntmen are protected with hidden padding under their clothing. The tables and chairs are designed to break and often made of balsa wood or rubber.  The floors all have padding too and everything is designed to be as safe as a kids playground. This is not the case in the real world.

If your opponent was to throw you to the ground - that ground becomes the most dangerous item in that scenario. If you are knocked into a counter, thrown into a glass window or pushed over a table, you will have to deal with the fact that these objects fight back in a way that is hard to defend against.

Consider that in the bathroom people often slip and fall backwards and hit the back of their head on the bathtub or counter and are often killed instantly. This accident is one of the most common household deaths. The same goes in the real world (in or out of the home) and we need to learn to protect ourselves against the environment if we are to truly understand realistic self-defense.

Once you are aware that your environment is the most dangerous part of the self-defense situation, you can then move on to learning techniques of self-protection against your environment. For most martial artists, training will start with basic rolls and falls. By learning to roll if you learn and rebound from the ground.  By learning to fall, you learn how to take the least amount of damage as possible.

Once you have mastered rolling and falling you will want to focus on improving your agility in an environment with obstacles. This type of training requires you to play a stunt man/woman and pad up. You will also want to create an environment that is typical to many of the locations you might be in if a situation did occur – for example, in the bank, school, coffee shop, office or even on the street. You will need to set up elements that represent dangerous obstacles in your environment.  However, these elements should be SAFE to fall or roll over. Consider using items designed for playgrounds – or protect tables with pillows and thick padding.

With some practice and professionally guided training, you can be well on your way to feeling safe even in the most arduous of environments.

Photo Credits: chibij918

Originally posted 2010-04-03 03:44:07.

No escape.

Find an escape route. Maybe you don't like to think of yourself as the type of person to run, but having an escape route can be necessary to your survival. Especially if you're not in a fair fight to begin with. Survey your surroundings so you know where to make a quick getaway if necessary, especially in potential trouble areas like rowdy bars and alleys. You'll also want to get out of sight as fast as possible, not simply escape, so be sure you know how to do that, as well.

Read peoples' body language. You should be able to read body language to the point where you can start to intuitively feel peoples' inner attitudes and emotions. If you start to perceive a threat from someone else, or know if someone is watching you, it will help you trigger your inner "alert" and let you know that you might need to get ready for a combat situation. Reading body language will also help you better understanding logistics, such as by seeing where your enemy looks - he might tip you off to the presence of a few of his allies.

Know your blind spots. When you're driving on the highway, you know where your blind spot is. But if you enter a new area, you don't really know, so you'll want to check. It's good to know the situation, but if you have a few blind spots, that means you face the unknown. As a general rule, it's usually a good idea to try and have as few blind spots as possible. If you do have them, be aware of where they are so that you can check them in a hurry if need be.

Reading a combat situation means that you should be shrewd. Know when the odds are stacked against you, read the logistics, and keep your emotions out of play. The better you understand the situation, the better chance of survival you'll have.

Photo Credits: SarahCartwright

Originally posted 2010-01-12 03:13:27.

Learning self-defense.

First, you should be sure to carry yourself confidently. Don't look down at the ground - be sure to hold your head up high and keep your posture straight. This doesn't mean you have to be rigid, but it does mean you'll want to avoid looking sad or lonely. Criminals will often target individuals who look down at the ground often. These people are less alert and more vulnerable to attack. Don't let yourself look vulnerable, even if you are.

Posture is very important to how you're perceived. Recall that kings in Europe would often stand up straight and barely even move their head in order to look at someone. This higher-value posture indicated that they were less reactive to others, and therefore of a higher status. You should be able to give off the vibe of someone who is capable of self-defense by the tone of your voice (clear and strong) as well as your posture. Do you look like the type of person who would crumble if attacked, or do you look like you'd fight back? If you look like the type of person to fight back, you lower your chance of being attacked.

This doesn't mean that you should always walk around being tense. You can be relaxed, but be sure to assert yourself confidently in social situations and to walk like someone who knows how to handle himself.

Keeping your posture straight will also maximize the appearance of your physical stature. Dog trainers sometimes recommend holding sticks against attacking dogs because it becomes an extension of your body, making you appear larger. Use this with your own posture - stand up straight and don't be afraid to take up plenty of space.

Self-correcting your posture to the point it becomes a habit will also help you to remain mindful of your situation and be on the look-out for potential attacks. The better you're able to prevent attack, the less you'll have to worry.

Photo Credits: snappybex

Originally posted 2009-08-14 03:11:52.

Defend yourself!

One of the first things to understand about self-defense are an opponent's weak points and vulnerabilities. Someone without martial arts training will likely be very susceptible to a quick counter-defense that they did not anticipate. For example, while many inexperienced people might try to fight and grab with hands, you can gain an advantage over your opponent by grabbing their rest, rendering their hand essentially useless. You can then use this wrist to pull them in and get them out of attacking position.

If someone comes at you with a hand coming forward, you can use your opposing hand to grab their wrist and pull them off-balance. For example, if someone pushes at you with a right hand coming forward, use your right hand to pull their wrist and subsequently the rest of their upper body. You can stay in attacking/defending position, but they'll be off-balance. This is the time to strike.

Keeping your opponent off-balance is one of the keys to defending an attack. You don't necessarily want to fight back, you simply want to get them to stop using an attack position. If their upper body is facing you, they have the potential to strike at you. Either get distance between the grabber, or use the aforementioned wrist-grab technique to get them off balance.

It's important that you learn to make these moves with confidence and strength. You can't "guide" your opponent's wrist to where you want to go. You've got to move it there yourself. That means being physically assertive. This is one of the things you'll learn in martial arts classes, and it's part of the reason you break wooden boards.

Mentally intimidating your opponent is a great advantage of being so assertive. If they see that you are self-confident and that you mean it when you grab them, they might think twice about the attack. Be sure to keep that in mind, and build up an "assertive vibe" so that people don't invade your personal space.

Photo Credits: dangoodwin

Originally posted 2009-08-11 03:01:27.

Pankration: Greek Martial Arts.

When we hear the phrase "Martial arts," we typically think of punches and kicks being thrown by a style created in east Asia. Karate, Kung Fu, and Tae Kwon Do come to mind. But when you really understand the phrase "martial arts," you come to realize that these arts aren't limited to Asian influence. In Europe, some of today's most popular martial arts were born. Here's a look at four European martial arts.

1. Boxing. The ancient Greeks were responsible for this one, and we know that boxing goes back at least to the eighth century B.C. Boxing is a form of martial art that emphasizes striking - essentially, punching and blocking. We know about boxing because of its use in Homer's Iliad, in which warriors would box in competitions to pay homage to their comrades who had fallen in battle. In 688 B.C., the Greeks introduced boxing to the Olympic Games.

2. Pankration. Never heard of this one before? Me neither. Pankration is a form of combined boxing and wrestling that also found its way into the ancient Greek Olympic Games (starting in 648 B.C.). Although it's not around in today's Olympic Games, you could consider Pankration a type of "Mixed Martial Art," in that two different forms of martial arts were fused together to create a new hybrid style.

Pankration included a number of maneuvers, including striking, locking, choking, and even throws.

3. Wrestling. Of course, if you mention Pankration, you have to mention Pankration, the Olympic Sport for which the Greeks are famous. Today's "Greco-Roman" style wrestling pays homage to the ancient background of this European martial art, but that's not to say Europeans have a monopoly over the sport of wrestling. Even so, with the emergence of the Greek and then Roman civilization as world powers, wrestling gained popularity and has remained popular ever since.

4. Gladiatorial Combat. This is another dead martial art, but even though it is not practiced today, it has found its way into our culture - such as through the film Gladiator. Gladiatorial combat was not so much about athletic competition as it was the entertainment of Roman crowds, so this was a particularly brutal martial art.

Even today, we can see the strong influence these ancient sports had on the modern athletic landscape, whether you're watching Mixed Martial Arts on television or renting one of the Rocky films.

Photo Credits: peterjr1961

Originally posted 2009-08-21 03:33:56.

What is the point of breaking boards?

The at-home television viewer might find him or herself openly questioning the validity of breaking boards: after all, when do these types of situations really need to be used in real life?

But there is a method to the madness of breaking boards, and once you come to understand it, you'll also understand why they remain a great benchmark for many people who are pursuing their goals.

First, try to understand that breaking boards is often more of a psychological test than a physical one. The people who break boards are born with the same appendages and bones as the rest of us - what they've achieved through practice, most anyone can achieve through similar work and dedication.

How is it a psychological test? Breaking through something that appears impossible to break measures one's beliefs. Many martial artists will tell you that if you don't believe you can break a board, you won't be able to do it. It's only through confidence and experience that the beliefs develop and you begin to realize that you do have the power - if you put your energy into breaking those boards.

These martial artists will also tell you that when it comes to breaking larger amounts of wood, ice, or concrete, that belief becomes that much more vital. Attacking these hard objects with nothing but flesh puts them at a real risk of injury. It's through belief and mental discipline that these oddly-seeming feats can be achieved.

If you've ever seen someone walk on hot coals, you've witnessed the same principle taking place. The human body is more than capable of walking over hot coals: it's the mind that needs work.

In martial arts, it's not always about the technique behind the fist - it's about the mind controlling the fist. And breaking boards is a great way to put that mind to the test.

Photo Credits: lepiaf.geo

Originally posted 2009-07-22 05:41:32.

Self Defense Class.

• Get a can of pepper spray, but make sure that it is legal to carry and that you're trained to use it. Check with the local officials and try to take a basic self-defense class designed for women. Ask the instructors about pepper spray and how you can begin carrying it. Pepper spray isn't just a mild irritant - it can seriously disable would-be attacks, so don't take carrying it lightly.
• Travel in groups as much as possible. It's not always possible to travel with someone at your side, but try to make as much use of other people as you can. For example, ask a security guard to walk you to your car. Be sure that you go out with friends. The larger your group is, the less likely it is that you'll be attacked. Don't let the need for a companion restrict you to your home, but do try and be aware that you'll be more protected with others at your side.
• When you're alone, make sure that you walk against traffic so that you can keep better track of cars. This is especially true at night when it's difficult to see people from the road. Don't assume that cars will always see you - it's up to you to stay out of harm's way.
• Remember that prevention is better than reaction. The more you can do to keep yourself out of harm's way, the better. This means thinking about threats in advance - such as the aforementioned tip of asking a security guard to walk you to your car. This also means equipping yourself with pepper spray even if you don't think you'll ever need it.
• When someone asks for your money at gun or knifepoint, give it to them. Even if you have the skills to defend yourself, it's best to remain calm and simply hand over the property. It can be replaced; your life can't.
• Inside the house, don't let anyone in unless you requested them there or you personally know them. People who say they're from a company shouldn't be granted access simply because they claim to be from somewhere; call the company first to verify their identity. Make no exceptions, even though it may seem odd to do so.

Photo Credits: adamjackson1984

Originally posted 2009-08-12 03:05:13.

Just want to kick and punch?

So how exactly do you know which martial arts discipline is for you, and how can you make sure that once you've made a decision, you've made the right one? Here are some quick tips for choosing the right discipline to match your personality.

• For some, they just want to learn how to kick and punch.

The more "traditional" Eastern martial arts fall under this category: Karate, Kung Fu, and Tae Kwon Do. In these arts, you won't learn how to wrestle, but you will learn how to use your mind to create more self-discipline and belief: breaking boards with your foot or your hand help you realize that you're stronger than you initially thought.

If you're a tumbler who simply wants to be able to defend himself in real-life situations, these might not be for you. But if you want to realize a lot of side-benefits from a martial art, you might consider one of these.

• Mixed martial arts promote fitness and improvisational skills.

Today's most popular types of martial arts, MMA or mixed martial arts, are the kind of fighting you'll see on a UFC Pay-Per-View event. MMA includes both grappling or wrestling along with standing up and striking, allowing you a balance of different types of martial arts. These can help you to build confidence.

• If you need a workout, focus on the upper body.

For many people, working the legs is easy - biking, walking, swimming, running. But the upper body's a little trickier. A martial art more focused on punching, like boxing, might be more up your alley. If you want to build some solid upper body fitness, you might want to consider boxing. Again, you won't necessarily learn how to defend yourself effectively, but you will be able to get in some great workouts.

Which martial art is right for you? Only you can know. Try taking a few trial classes to see which one seems to fit your personality.

Photo Credits: The She-Creature

Originally posted 2009-07-28 05:00:54.

Self-disipline is the name of the game.

Tip #1: Learn the principle of "doing it anyway."

If self-discipline was easy, it wouldn't be self-discipline. At some point in your life, you're going to have to embrace some sort of level of hardship in order to work toward your goals and maintain a healthy, consistent lifestyle. Many people put off discipline because they can "do it tomorrow," but what's so different about tomorrow that will make it easier than today? In reality, that's just procrastination. You have to start feeling the discomfort of discipline and "do it anyway." You don't want to do thirty push-ups today? Too bad. Do it. You'll feel better afterward.

Tip #2: Organize.

Discipline is easier when you're organized and know exactly what you have to do on a daily basis. If you've had trouble showing up on time to your martial arts classes, buy a calendar and start organizing your schedule. Try to get most of your work done at the beginning of the day so you can relax later. The earlier you accomplish your daily goals, the less you'll have to procrastinate.

Make a list of daily habits that you can maintain, and accomplish them in the same order every day. When they're easy to remember, they're easier to maintain.

Tip #3: Give yourself a goal.

Discipline often has its own intrinsic rewards, but you can bring more motivation to the table if your discipline is working toward a definable goal. For example, let's say your goal is to attain the green belt in your chosen martial art. That will give you incentive to show up five minutes early to each class.

You have to realize that discipline is something no one else can do for you. You have to accept that growth requires challenging yourself.

Photo Credits: Ed-meister

Originally posted 2009-08-24 03:12:04.