shaolin-warrior

It is important to realize that when we take a stance, we have 360 different possibilities as to which direction we can attack or defend from. Thats a lot of ground to cover, even for an experienced martial artist .These possibilities give us 180 degrees to the front and 180 degrees to our rear. Our forward and lateral movements are aggressive and our retreats or movements to the rear are our defensive movements. This becomes an important factor in
self-defence because it determines whether we are to be more aggressive or more passive in our counter attack.

Most people will take the defensive steps, step back and block. This is because the natural reaction or our instinct is to withdraw as an aggressor moves forward. This is fundamental training for lower ranks. We teach colored belts to step back in a defensive stance, block and then counter. This is certainly better than standing still, but it doesn't have the same
effect as moving forward to intercept our aggressors attack. Moving in on our aggressor not only allows the use of in close techniques such as elbows and knees, it also puts us in the dominant role and confuses the attacker and upsets his balance.

When defending an attack, we are at a great and grave disadvantage. The attacker knows everything, when, where, and how they are going to attack. They've read your posture and know your body position and have chosen their attack and the strike zone. The defender knows absolutely nothing, most times totally unaware of the impending attack or its' motive. This is why it is so important to be in tune with your mind , body, and spirit. When I
say this, people must think that I'm talking about some new age spiritual revolution. Quite simply put, Harmony or balance between mind, body and spirit, means to be physically fit, mentally alert, and with the spiritual code of ethics as a martial artist that we never intentionally violate another human being unless it is to maintain the integrity of ones self.
Most attackers know that if they strike or step forward you will step backwards this allows them to continue the attack. That is why forward movement is critical or key to self defense. If you move forward as you block, you do a couple of things. First, you've change your position and avoided or interrupted the first wave of attack, second by changing your
position you've forced your attacker into a defensive position, and for an instant, the instant that is critical to survival,the advantage of knowing when, where and how is stolen from the attacker and is in your possession.

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[" And although we may do our best to avoid trouble, sometimes trouble insists on finding us. When that happens......when the time for talk is over, warriors act. They flip the switch and act decisively - ruthlessly if necessary - to preserve and defend the things that they hold dear."
Michael D. Janiich Why being a warrior starts with accepting the limitations of peace.

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