Warrior Training Lessons Archive

Personal Safety Lessons Archive

Awareness Lessons Archive

Past Warrior Training Lessons

Mentally follow all of your techniques to the point that your opponent cannot continue the conflict (considering a safe pin is a great option). This is critical. In real life, you never get to start over or call time out.

Those of us who practice martial arts have special responsibilities. We are responsible to avoid conflicts carefully out of respect for others. Because of our practices, we know how easily people can be hurt. Most people don’t…even the mean ones. It is always better to find another way out of a conflict if possible.

We also have a responsibility to use our martial skills (like any others) in ways that make the lives of others better. Whether it is helping to stop a crime or teaching someone to believe in himself or herself, there are ways that we can put our skills to use serving those around us.

Kindness is a self defense technique? Absolutely! Sharp words (or sharp responses) generally rile people up, but kind words often soften them. Many martial arts employ this philosophy, and some are entirely based on the concept of using gentleness to defeat violence (Aikido). The Bible said it first though (see Proverbs 15:1).

Next time you’re in a tough spot, try kindness first.

If you ever need to use your skills in real life, you don’t know what technique will spring to mind. It is not by learning more and more techniques that you become a stronger warrior. Instead, it is by practicing each one with the conviction to enter the storm with resolve.

Musashi says that you must control your enemy or the enemy will control you. In this case, the enemy is inside. Practice every technique like the situation is real, and you will become strong.

Also, being strong does not mean being a bully. When you are strong on the inside, you can be soft on the outside. Be respectful of your training partner, make class a joy, and be friendly to others. True strength does not show it off!

I have studied Martial Arts for years, partially for self defense and partially because of the things gained by learning new ways to use my body. In class, we often work forms that seek to beautify a technique to it’s maximum. If you’re on the streets though, don’t worry about that at all. Do what you must and get out of there!

There is no cheating, and there’s no such thing as bad form. If you’re forced to defend yourself, you must quickly incapacitate the attacker and escape! Have I mentioned the escape part before?

When you learn something new, one of the biggest mountains to climb is psych-out summit. That’s where your willpower implodes trying to visualize ever knowing enough to actually use what you’re learning. Whether it’s Photoshop or Tae Kwan Do, most everyone feels overwhelmed for a while.

If this is you right now, consider escaping the detail for a more aerial perspective.

Aikido, for example, is often touted by teachers as being a martial art of “10,000 forms”. Talk about daunting! No wonder so many students say they could never apply it in real life.

In reality, Aikido is comprised of about 19 core techniques, 5 ways to move your body, and about 10 attacks to react to. Taking in loads of training seminars can boost your techniques to 30 or 40, but the core 19 are the ones universally practiced. Sounds more achievable, right? Indeed!

The “10,000 forms” (insert spaced out kung fu master here) come by putting techniques, movements, and attacks together in different combinations plus varying the ways a technique is performed (arm rotary throw inside or outside the wrist).

So…the demoralizing path to 10,000 forms could instead be viewed as an in depth study of how to apply 20 techniques based on what attack comes and how you happen to be moving at the time. That sounds a ton more practical! Sign me up today!

Taking this Aikido example, try to take an aerial view of the new skill you’re leaning. It could be less complicated that it first appeared…and more valuable than you expected.

by Robin Eugene Redick

by Robin Eugene Redick

In Martial Arts training, courage is developed by learning basic skills, gaining a small measure of faith, and then moving to more advanced techniques.

Over time, we acquire faith enough to handle tense situations like a drunken nut-job at the football game or even mind-boggling emergencies like a rampaging Abominable Showman at the mall (I am SO ready for that one!)

by Robin Eugene Redick

by Robin Eugene Redick

In his day, the proud Samurai of Japan trained rigorously to handle whatever the day might bring in a manor that suited his identity as a nobleman.

An amusing example involves hair. This imposing warrior of old thoroughly styled his hair early each morning, whether he planned to leave the house that day or not. To him, nothing was more embarrassing than to be caught spastically pulling himself together should unexpected company arrive.

Though our motives may differ, we can take a queue from the distinguished Samurai. Through diligent training, our hearts remain ready should Jesus return unexpectedly (the Bible says He will), our eyes stay tuned to seeing service opportunities, and our wills remain rooted to God’s law instead of swaying with the tides.

Just as with the Samurai of yesterday, training is key for today’s Christian solder!

by Robin Eugene Redick

by Robin Eugene Redick

Past Safety Lessons

If you become forced to protect yourself, grab any long stick-like object within sight. Here's why!

• The attacker focuses on the stick instead of you.
• You get more reach than your assailant has (you can reach him; he can’t reach you).
• You can swing it at any bony spot (especially the head, knees, or forearm) with devastating results.
• You can press it long ways against any bone to cause unbelievable pain (trust me, it is beyond easy description).

Nothing is 100%, so the best strategy always is to escape first! But if you can't get away and have to "make" your escape window, using a stick can deliver!

Always use everything to your benefit when an altercation is unavoidable. If you can stand so your opponent faces the sun, is backup against the curb, etc. so much the better. There is no dishonor in using everything to your advantage when you are in real danger. When you are no longer in danger, stop and leave. That is your only goal.

If you are ever abducted, try to establish a relationship with your abductor by asking for water, talking about your family and friends who miss you, or even mentioning your dog who needs to be fed. The more you are able to paint a human picture of yourself, the more difficult it will be for your captor to bring harm to you.

It might also give you a better chance to escape.

If you are forced to defend yourself on the street, things can go wrong with even your best technique. Keeping this in mind while you train will help you to become a more adaptive defender.

In class, always practice techniques exactly as taught. Do this out of respect for your teacher, to polish your skills, and also for safely purposes. Outside of class, frequently visualize how to successfully stop an attack based on a variety of things that might go wrong with your techniques. Then, mentally run that checklist the while you apply them in class.

We should always be working to improve our techniques in their pure forms. At the same time, we must be prepared to survive a real altercation even if something goes askew.

Truly, this type of training goes beyond martial arts application. Life is full of curves, so learning to be adaptive helps us to achieve greater success in everything we do.

When you are confronted and an assault is imminent, escape is your strategy. If you are forced to engage and apply damage, do so but don’t stick around to keep pounding the thug. He may have friends. Also, you may make a mistake that costs you. Do what you must and get out of there!

Whenever you are out walking in a new place, always take a moment to scan your environment and see the escape paths. This is not to say you should be paranoid. Just be prepared. If you can escape a situation without conflict at all, this is the best plan.

If someone grabs you on the wrist and you think there is danger, here is a good way to escape the grab. Think of quickly bringing both hands into position like you are shooting a basketball (making sure that you end with the feeling that your hands are cupped "beneath" the ball. When you make this motion, your wrists will instantly put pressure against the open space between your attacker's grabbing fingers and thumb. Try combining this with a kick to the shins, foot, etc, and you should be in good shape. Don't try anything fancy after this. Do what you need to and get away!

If this causes a reactive tug that pulls you in instead of frees you, go with that. Use the pull to deliver a crushing punch to the bag guy’s face. Then get out of dodge!

Past Awareness Lessons

Always be aware of your surroundings so that if you find yourself in a dangerous situation, you can quickly escape.

If escape is not optional, try to talk your attacker down and then find an escape.

If neither are options and an attack is definite, always seek to position yourself where you have an advantage. ANY advantage! Stand where you are looking down at your assailant, stand where the sun is in your assailant's eyes, lead your attacker to where he is standing on uneven ground, or try something else to make things difficult.

Remember, you are in danger and escape has not proven to be optional! You must win at all costs!

If you have no escape and are absolutely forced to defend yourself, never let the appearance of your assailant dishearten you. In his book of 5 rings, Musashi wrote that an assailant may wear ornate armor, but that does not mean it will hold up in battle. He may be bigger, but that does not mean you aren’t more powerful. There is a huge difference between power and strength. These are wise words.

If you have to defend yourself, you have no choice but to win. Wasting time considering how fearsome the assailant looks means you are fighting two people instead of one. Focus only on what you have to do, and be resolute.

Shout and flare your nostrils to give you resolution! Get your spirit on! You are in danger, and overcoming is the only alternative!