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From: Robert LaPointe Subject: Self Defense Mindset Date: Wednesday, September 29, 2004 10:16 AM Hi In this issue I’m going to change how some of you think about training kata for self defense . . . and I’ll show you how kata is, quite possibly, the most “practical” aspect of martial arts. Form, or kata, is a set of movements – punches, kicks, sweeps etc. that act as exercise and practice. Many people think form is useless. After all, if you want to get good at fighting, then spar, and if you want to get good at self defense, then practice technique, if you want endurance, run, lift weights for strength, stretch for flexibility, and so on. With all the options I just listed, why bother to do kata? Well, for starters, form combines all those things while at the same time helping you remember your moves by acting as a sort of text book of techniques. But kata offers one other crucial thing – something absolutely no one should be without. What is that? Mindset. Form, whether it’s Kung Fu or Tai Chi, or Karate, or any other style – when practiced properly – requires that we develop something called Intention. In form competition, you can have slightly slower kicks, and stiffer moves than the other guy, but if you show Intention (i.e. intensity, concentration, spirit, and “putting yourself in the moment”) you can easily get a better score. Why do judges want to see intention? Because when you imagine blocking that punch then countering with a hard kick and you show that in your eyes, the judges know that you’re not just training your hands and feet – your training your mind. And that’s the most important part of martial arts. Are you training yourself to be violent? No. But you are training yourself to focus on what you’re doing, and to do it with purpose. And that is extremely practical for self defense! Because in a self defense situation we can’t doubt or hesitate. We can’t strike halfway. We have to move with explosive, focused intention and the BEST way to do this is if we’ve already been there in our mind, decided exactly what we’re going to do, and done it hundreds of times already. That’s why when we practice form we should picture that person striking at us and see ourselves countering hard, fast and fearlessly, with complete concentration and purpose. I’ve finished shooting all the video for my upcoming tape on Mindsetting, Street Fighting, and Surviving Violent Crime. In it, I’ll teach you exactly how to respond to an attack and how to develop the mindset you need to win or to simply escape and survive. You’ll also learn the 5 Rules Everyone Must Know and Follow – and you'll learn how to apply them in specific situations such as carjackings, muggings, bumper crimes, or someone strolling into a fast food restaurant with a shotgun and a blank look. It'll be ready soon. Until then maybe you have a better idea of what I mean when I say . . . Train like you mean it! Take care, Rob LaPointe Kung Fu & Tai Chi for long life, good health, and peace of mind at www.MindBodyBreakthroughs.com Copyright 2004, Rob LaPointe If you no longer wish to receive communication from us: http://autocontactor.com/app/r.asp?ID=25053349&ARID=0 To update your contact information: http://autocontactor.com/app/r.asp?c=1&ID=25053349
Rob LaPointe |
