Friday, May 1, 2015

Judging the Competence of Your Teacher and Your Style

Friday Knight News

"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory nor defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants." Gichin Funakoshi

Judging the competence of the style seems relatively easy, regardless of its place of origin. After all, martial arts is all about fighting, so the style should be able to be judged on its effectiveness. However, the style might be geared for sport instead of street defense, while some styles are good at both. This means that the style and the teacher should be able to distinguish between what is a sport oriented activity and what is effective for use on the streets. There are benefits to each aspect of the study, there are also numerous reasons to make a distinction between them. Then again one style might be better suited for the young and athletic, and another style might be better suited for long range health benefits. The main problem with self-defense in mind is that what may be effective for one individual may not be as effective for another individual for a host of reasons. These reasons can range from psychological preferences or physiological limitations.



As an example, a person may have a psychological aversion to striking someone, or choking them. This can stem from being squeamish or due to a lack of self-worth. This is where judging the effectiveness of the teacher comes in to play. A good teacher should be able to logically point out good motivation to overcome these mental obstacles. Over the decades that I have instructed martial arts, I have on occasion encountered women who rejected the notion of using an eye poke to protect themselves from either rape or even possible murder. I found the solution to this problem to be quite simple, I asked the women if their loved ones would suffer pain or loss because of their decision to avoid implementing these skills? In every case even the most squeamish acknowledged that while they wouldn't have hurt someone to protect themselves, they could do it for their loved ones.

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Coupled with this there is the mindset of the individual to consider, as some individuals are naturally inclined to grapple, while others are pugilists at heart. Then, of course, there are individuals that seem to flow back-and-forth between these abilities naturally. This requires that the individual has a modicum of physical fitness, even though being in shape has not only fighting advantages but health benefits as well. The second problem that we encounter is often individuals have physical injuries that prevent them from throwing powerful punches, or they have injuries that may have deprived them of their kicking, or grappling abilities, so weapon study become necessary.

A good teacher will also make sure that their students learn and practice awareness drills because attackers do not disclose their intent beforehand. Everyone realizes that actual criminal attacks do not take into consideration if their attack is fair or not. The criminals will attack despite the fact that they have greater size, numbers, youth, weapons, or just a fitness advantage over you. They will not hesitate to attack for the mere fact that you are not ready for them. This may suggest that your style and your teacher should be able to help you adapt to whatever weapons are at hand, and give you realistic methods on how to retain, carry, and deploy modern-day tools of self-defense. So, when it comes down to it, it doesn't matter what style you train in as long as you are effective with the application of it.

A competent martial art teacher will also recognize the importance and health benefits of relaxation, mental stimulation, and artistic expression that stems from an in-depth study of the martial arts. Studying with someone that has a good reputation in the community is also beneficial. People recognize the fact that water rises to its own level, or using another analogy birds of a feather flock together. Someone who is just and fair as well as being considered strong and determined can go a long way toward avoiding needless confrontations.

 "Knowledge will give you power, but character respect." Bruce Lee



My stories are about martial arts adventures that are intertwined with paranormal or supernatural events. The following links are to the Kindle version books from the "Dream Walker” series. Our adventurers find themselves on a quest where they are confronted with both conspiracy and mystery. Their challenge is to unite their mind and body skills together utilizing what they have learned in the martial arts with the transcendental power of dream mediation. They attempt to do this while they are trying to make a life for themselves and elude those that seek to use and control them.

Conversations with a Sage (Book 1 of the Dream-Walker)

Conversations with a Sage: This explores Xander Davidson's early encounters with the mysterious fog like Dream Walking martial art sages. He ponders if they are real or if they are only remnants of his dreams. He mainly keeps this secret world to himself as he tries to copes with abuse, growing up without support or guidance and the mystery of his family's past. 

Xander and the Assassins Gift (Book 2 of the Dream-Walker)

The Assassins Gift: Xander Davidson struggles with the conspiracy of his family and the group that is actively trying to manipulate him to join them or die. The young Dream Walkers learns an early lesson to be careful about whom they let into their circle.


Warriors of Perception (Book 3 of the Dream-Walker)

Warriors of Perception: Xander Davidson and his band of friends embark on a mission to free themselves from their oppressors. They bravely face the challenge all the while vying for the right moment to turn the tables.


Jace Lee The Shift (Book 4 of the Dream-Walker)

Jace Lee The Shift: We find a new apprentice, Adam, that is fighting for his life. He is struggling to understand the amazing skills of his mentor, Jace Lee; a younger man that has trained under Xander Davidson. All the while his mentor attempts to reconcile the fact that his skills do not match up with the other Dream Walkers.


Jace Lee No Agenda (Dream Walker Book 5)

Jace Lee No Agenda: Jace Lee attempts to find himself on a self-imposed vision quest of sorts. Instead he finds himself being stalked by the same group that had previously sought after his teacher, (Xander Davidson). Instead of mastering his odd Dream Walking skills he finds love and the potential loss of his powers.

Jace Lee and the Tutelage of Ming Wu: Dream Walker 6 

Jace Lee The Tutelage of Ming Wu: Jace Lee rejoins his teacher Xander Davidson as they cope with a possible combined threat (the mysterious), Ming Wu and the Council that has continuously monitored the Dream Walkers.       

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