QUOTE (fkalich @ Aug 14 2007, 03:07 AM)
I have never been in a serious situation. Like most sane people, I avoid them. Nobody in my family (a large one) has ever been in a dangerous life threatening situations. I don't think Sweden is rougher than the US.
Like then, these guys learn karate, and then go out, put themselves in situations where they might get a chance to pound somebody, late night bars, stuff like that. Normal people rarely in their lives will ever find anything practical about Karate, it is an art form. If you want to be practical, well here in Kansas, I can legally pack a gun if I ever felt threatened, otherwise I avoid such situations, like most normal people.
OK. I was jumped from behind on a well lit street, walking along in my own thoughts when I heard someone say behind me "How would you like one in the head?" When I turned around three guys is standing in a semi-circle and I get a kick to the head followed by a kick to my stomach from one of the others. Luckily I saw it coming and avoided it almost completly. They just touched me. This was at my last year of training, and I had been training 6 days/week for a year and that was the only hits they got on me. After a little while two guards from a nearby pub saw what happened and came to my aid and the guys disappeared. I got out of that without being hurt (and without injuring the others). In the newspaper the next day a short sum up of the weekend said that a hockey player, big well trained guy, had been beaten up badly and was transported unconsiousless to hospital. He was assaulted by three guys in the same age as "my guys", 20-25, just around the corner from where they jumped me. Judging by the time in the newspaper that happened just a few minutes later.
This incident contributed to me quitting MA. I had bad anxiety long time afterwards. A bit for realizing what could have happened to me, but mostly because during the fight I felt in complete control and really enjoyd it. Made me think, and made me quit. :/
With that said, I'm not saying MA training is a guarantee to save your behind. Contrary you may be ego boosted beyond your level and yoe may end up in worse situation then by simply being scared and run. A street punk who have been in a few fights will take you down just on experience. If he has a knife... Bad. Running is good. Best defense. Train that.
QUOTE (fkalich @ Aug 14 2007, 03:07 AM)
Regarding the health benefits, so so. The stretches are good. However it is much like basketball or American football in terms of health benefits. The stop/start aspect is not really healthy for mammals. It is tough on the heart. Steady and smooth activities are the really healthy ones. I took up triathlon after I quit karate. I can't think of anything with better health benefits, than doing the Olympic style races (1.5k swim, 25k bike, 10k run).
True. You have to know your body and adapt the training to it. But I'd say that goes for every form of training. To get the most out of the training and to not get hurt, or worse, long time injuries.
Speaking for myself, the MA training was perfect for me. I needed the stretches and joint conditioning. Bad back, pain in shoulders and neck from work. Bad knees. I got rid of all that and could even work up the strength in my knees so they don't bother me much now. I still have to do some stretching and exercises regularly. If I stop I get back the pain in the back and shoulders within a few weeks.
QUOTE (fkalich @ Aug 14 2007, 03:07 AM)
I expect I finished my analysis of this long before most here started thinking about it. If I ever feel in danger, I will pack a rod. But it won't happen, I avoid such situations. Actually, Grizzly Bear pepper spray is better than Karate, if you really want to be safe. I have a can right here, handy. That is some powerful stuff, I used it once on two wild dogs, 20 feet away. Try one of the 7 basic blocks on that. This is supposed to be a very spiritual activity. If it were so, I would be interested. But the West has reduced it to just pit bull level.
We can't carry a gun, mace or pepperspray or anything here, so that's not an option, legally anyway.
You are right. Avoiding getting into dangerous situations and places is even better then running. To me any MA or self defense training should talk about, and practise different situations to help you recognize when they are building up, how to avoid them, how to (can't find the right word now) dampen/soften it, how to get away from it and as a last resort, how to defend yourself and end it without being hurt. That's what I think is the important parts in training, and that's why I think MA should not be dismissed.
I got the impression you dismissed MA all together and by that people who live their lives through MA, that's why I responded. I felt you can't decides what's right or wrong for other people. I understand what you ment better now. Thanks for claryfing.
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