Basics of Self-Defense Arts You Need to Know
Posted by SwordsSwords on Feb 28th 2020
Kung-Fu self-defense and other ninja karate move definitely look extremely cool on screen. We have tried at least once to imitate these leaping kicks and strong punches. It is an easy fantasy to see yourself as the warrior and harbinger of justice. In reality, it is quite an ordeal to train up to an expert level of perceived proficiency. Many of the self-defense techniques find their roots in actual warrior arts from the bygone ages. These are practiced by military personnel as well as meditation gurus who preach peace and harmony. There is a variety of self-defense tools that don’t require martial training. But physical prowess is a must to escape any situation unscathed.
The main principles of discipline and economy of motion are constant in all approaches. There are multiple ways one can incorporate the philosophy into daily life chores. Patience, perseverance, and prudence are great guiding words for every situation. However, it is a little tough to incorporate them into fighting moves. The difficulty lies primarily in the body’s instincts. Where one might wish to lash out and hit as hard as possible, these philosophies preach caution and balance. The fight against ones’ own adrenaline is difficult to win but it instills lifelong discipline. There are various other facets of self-defense arts that you need to know.
Different Self-Defense Arts
There are quite a few martial arts that teach proactive self-defense in the case of one-on-one combat as well as weapons violence. The ancient art of Tai-Chi is notorious in its steady approach to movement. This means that students have to master every move with endurance. They have to understand the philosophy before being granted the rank of master or “Sifu”. Taekwondo is another interesting and ancient art. It is more focused on body contact via kicks and punches. The practitioners spend most of their time airborne with a series of high kicks and jumps. The spinning moves and blunt force in this art requires a lot of practice. The principle of exerting the most amount of power with the shortest duration of the contact is the required goal. Karate is a broad term to denote all forms of martial arts. But it is factually wrong as a very select few types of martial arts come under the umbrella of karate. Moreover, this art is not particular to merely China. Japan has its own version of Karate which is no less potent in achieving the perfect self-defense objectives.Kung-Fu
Kung-Fu is also the victim of being regarded as an amalgamation of all Chinese combat styles rather than its own separate art. To conform to the masses, Kung-Fu is now considered an umbrella term, and all its variations are known as different families or classes. With over a hundred of these families over the centuries, the Kung-Fu naming system has been converted to represent different traits or classifications. Internal concentration styles focus more on qi manipulation and inner peace as well as situational awareness. Other styles that concentrate on improving muscle and cardiovascular fitness are called external. Together, these external and internal styles combine to form the perfect self-defense techniques. The concept of Kung Fu revolves around three basic principles:- Motivation- this is the fundamental driver behind this art as it inspires the learner to do and achieve more.
- Self-discipline
- Time
Values of Self-defense
- Never Give Up – The Kung-Fu warrior has no choice after committing to perfection. He works towards the goal and never turns back.
- Always Practice - Standing, sitting, awake, or asleep, the Shaolin Warrior always practices. Therefore, practice makes perfect definitely applies in this situation.
- Integrate Yin And Yang - The integration of internal and external harmony is essential for the perfect economy of movement.
- Turn Yourself Into Zero – This principle demands to let go of all worldly possessions, connections, and worries. It is necessary to entrust anxiety, illness, and stress to the universe and let your mind free.
- Nurture Your Body – Basic health and wellness are always essential for a Kung-Fu warrior.
- Apply Great Effort – Half-hearted efforts do not make a good warrior. Excel at your goals by keeping your motivation in mind. The main drive of self-defense must be to protect others in times of need.
- Cut Off Desire means only retain what you really need, rather than what you want. Happiness comes from the internal world, not the external.