Self Defence of the Mind

One of the issues that many people face when learning self-defence is that they focus purely on the physical aspect of the training.

Martial arts isn't just about physical ability and strength, it's about the ability to overcome your fears and protect yourself, your family and your loved ones.

This week an interesting thing occured that really made me think about this particular topic, I wont go into detail but I will cover the though processes.

When confronted with a threating situation, do you place your needs first or those of the people around you, or potentially around you in the near future.
Do you look at why the person threatening you is acting in this manner? Or do you just focus on yourself?
Do you need to take a deep breath before acting, to ensure you do the right thing?

The interesting thing that occured was a threatening situation, but I spent most of my time concerned for the raving lunatic in front of me and how he was approaching the women around me. I moved beyond reacting when he attempted to use physical violence and saw someone who was desperate to be understood and respected. (Unfortunately no one will respect him due to his behaviour.)

I noticed that my heart rate remained steady, my breathing un-elevated. I was not fearful for myself, nor was I concerned that I would need to take physical action.

I think that this is a moment that I will remember for some time as the moment I realised that just because someone is yelling at you and trying to physically intimidate you - you don't need to get "hyped-up" ready for a fight.

My mind told my body to just enjoy the show until it was told otherwise.

I only hope that the next time something like this happens, I feel the same.

(I only hope there isn't a next time.)

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Written by Tom - 4th Dan Instructor (SaBomNim)

Tuesday, 26 July 2011 19:21

The Enduring Spirit

Having to wake up at 4:30am to go on a business trip, you realise the clarity (some may say exhausted rants) of your mind and the thoughts that go through your head.

I sprained my ancle this week in a stupid staircase incident - I wish I had a better store for that - but this morning I was thinking about a Pre-Historic Shin bone at the Museum of Ancient History in Sydney. This man had not only broken his leg, he had continued to walk on it, in not doubt necessity, and the two bones had overlapped and fused together.

Think of the horrible amounts of pain he would have endured in his life, and I am complaining about a sore ancle/foot. Poor me.

Martial Arts & Hapkido in particular have many mottos, one of ours is "I will always train my mind and body to the best of my ability", I think that applies outside of the Dojang or Gym. I believe that is should be applied throughout your whole life.

So I will train my mind to stop complaining about minor injuries and focus on our new Dojang location and new students at Hapkido Canberra - ACT Self Defence. Focus on being the best instructor of Martial Arts in Canberra, and ensuring my students learn as much as they can from me.

A Social Media Lesson

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Written by Tom - 4th Dan Instructor (SaBomNim)

Wednesday, 20 July 2011 10:21

A Social Media Lesson

I learnt an important lesson about Social Media today, and luckily I didn't make the mistake to have to learn it.

A colleague of mine, who is keen to develop Social Media connections, decided to Facebook Message all of his Friends (all 274) about his new Facebook page. The problem was he didn't think about the consequences of his actions.

Before he knew it many people on the list were writing back and complaining, what he had overlooked what that all 274 people messaged had had their details added to the header. So everyone could see everyone else and everyone could see everyone's replies.

Just like an email out to 274 people showing their email address, he had breached people's privacy and insulted many of his friends. You see the 274 people he is friends with, aren't necessarily friends with eachother and some (me included) were blissful in knowing that only a hand full of people could access their names, information etc.

The moral of the story - although you may have good intensions (be they self interested or not), ultimately you need to consider the medium that those good intensions will be broadcasted.

Martial Arts Instruction, mine especially, could learn a bit from this lesson. How often do instructors say something, with the best of intensions, only to insult or put down our students? This is definately something I will take onboard for future classes.