There is only one way to learn to fight and that’s to fight. Martial Arts is,
after all, a warrior art. However, a basic problem is learning to fight
without combatants being injured. Enter sparring.
Simply stated, sparring is controlled combat. But how can individuals learn to
fight with full intensity without hurting or being hurt? One solution is to
utilize the “Focus, Nick & Stick Drill,” which is taught at the Karate
Institute of America.
What, you might ask, are “Noodle Wars?” Sound silly, right? Nevertheless, a
good question.
“Noodle Wars” are simply full contact sparring matches using common pool
noodles.
These inexpensive, prolific, Styrofoam toys with the hollow center make it fun
and safe to indulge in full contact fighting without having to worry about
pulling a punch or strike to avoid injury to an opponent or oneself, quite the
opposite from normal sparring when punches and strikes have to be pulled to
avoid injury.
The following article comes courtesy of the National Rifle Association.
Self Defense Myths
Knowing the laws of the land is just as important as knowing how to shoot.
by Ed Head: posted on April 11, 2022
Teaching folks to defend themselves with a firearm goes way beyond the
mechanics of shooting. And, while I’m not a lawyer and don’t have expertise in
the details of the law in every jurisdiction, I also teach general principles
of self-defense.
Martial arts is a wonderful, dynamic, health-engendering and useful activity
of life. However, because of its potential for generating pain, suffering,
even death, its power must be constrained. Normal people do not want to fight
or hurt other people unless absolutely necessary. Self-defense is a God-given
right to protect us from those who would do us harm but such a right must be
used with wisdom and clear thinking, not just for martial artists but for the
general populace as well.
SUN TZU WOULD NOT BE IMPRESSED … at all. In fact, he would be shocked that
after 2500 years some world leaders are still in Kindergarten mode relative to
their understanding of combat. They are blinder than the blindest bat.
The first goal of combat is to win, always. There are no positives in defeat,
especially if a country’s entire culture and way of life are in jeopardy of
being annihilated.
It is tragic to witness what is happening in Ukraine. Regardless of the
outcome, which we pray is positive for the Ukrainian people, i.e. keeping
their independence and sovereignty, there are many lessons this needless and
brutal attempted Russian takeover can teach us. Following are just a few.
Reality
This world is truly a cauldron of evil.
How lovely would it be to think this world is a beautiful place? It is not. If
it were a beautiful place, peace would reign universally, which it obviously
doesn’t. The world is not “Barbie Doll Land.” It is, as Mirabai clearly
states, “a cauldron of evil.” One must therefore be cognizant of this reality
and act accordingly.