Most peoples’ concept of self-defense is simply a reaction to an assault or attack of some sort–the bad guy jumping out of the bushes, the robbery, the sexual assault. As a martial arts instructor I am certainly familiar with the importance of preparing my students for exactly these types of violence. But I believe that I would be doing a disservice to all of my students if i were to limit my understanding of self-defense to only punching, kicking, and grappling.
Over my years of training in karate (It’s been over 20 now, ack!), and teaching the young and old, my vision of what it means to be capable of self-defense has changed from a stance of reaction to one of education and preparation.
When it comes to violence, my students and I are lucky enough to live in one of the safest countries in the world, in a fairly safe city and community to boot. Most of us are FAR more likely (as is most everyone in the United States) to die of heart disease, cancer, or suicide than we will at the hands of violence.
You see, if I were to prepare for you a full-contact competition such as the Sabaki Challenge, you better believe you would be training hard in the dojo, on the track, and in the gym to get you in the best shape possible. You would study your potential opponents and you would practice the high percentage techniques that you believe would lead you to sure victory. And you would pursue a diet that would meet your nutritional needs and power you with the best fuel possible.
But what if I told you you have a different fight ahead of you. Perhaps a fight against cancer, against heart disease, against poor mental health, or against anger that renders families, hearts, and minds. Wouldn’t you also be training hard in the dojo, studying your opponent, putting good food into your body, and meditating regularly? Of course you would.
For my students and yet-to-be-students, at least one of these fights is coming. For some of us, we’re closer to it than others. But let’s train for it now knowing that it is ahead of us. We just might win.