Self-Defense Tip #56: Physical conditioning for mental toughness in self-defense--Part II

Self-Defense Tip #56
Physical conditioning for mental toughness in self-defense—Part II

by Thomas Kurz, co-author of Basic Instincts of Self-Defense and author of Stretching Scientifically, Secrets of Stretching, and Science of Sports Training.

To read the previous installment click here.

This tip continues the subject of tip number 54. In that tip a movie shows self-defense without weapons and with weapons, as well as conditioning drills for self-defense. Those conditioning drills are OK, but they could be made more effective for developing mental toughness for fighting, without taking much more energy or time.

All that needs to be added to them is a little pain, not a big pain—distracting but not destroying. So, a stinging belt slap is good, but a bruising, heavy hand slap is not. Such pain can be added to simple conditioning exercises, not just to the fighting-specific drills as seen in the movie. Remember: Injuries impair, not improve. The desired reaction to such pain is no reaction—no startle reflex, no change in movement, no grimace. On a deeper level this tool develops what in Japanese martial arts is called fudoshin—the immovable or imperturbable mind. Observe the fighters if you are an instructor, or observe your training partner if you are a fighter. If you see a wrong reaction, it means that this training tool is too strong for them at this time. Frequency of application also matters.

I have said enough. I have given enough of a hint for intelligent people to figure out how to apply the right kind of pain in combat conditioning.



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Self-Defense
Moves Defend Against
Weapons Mental
Toughness

For self-defense moves to work under stress they must be based on your natural, instinctive reactions, require little strength and limited range of motion, and be proven in fighting experience.

To learn how your natural reactions can instantly defeat any unarmed attack, see the video Basic Instincts of Self-Defense.

To defend against weapons you have to know how they are used. Also—every stick has two ends ... the weapon of attack may become a weapon of defense in your hand ...

To learn how the typical street weapons (club, knife, razor) are used by an experienced streetfighter and how to practice with them, see the video Self-Defense: Tools of attack—Club, Hatchet, Blackjack, Knife, Straight Razor.

Staying cool under pressure is more important for self-defense than being physically fit and technically skilled. If you can't control your mind what can you control?

To learn mental techniques that let you calmly face any threat and act rationally in the heat of a fight, click here.

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