As a child I was the classic nerd (I still am, in many ways). I was picked last whenever
we played sports, I was in terrible shape, and I was bullied by some of my classmates
throughout elementary school.
It wasn’t until I was seventeen that I studied at a martial arts school. I picked Tae Kwon
Do because a cousin I respect had a black belt in that style. Around that time I was
exposed to Richard Dimitri and Senshido. As a student, I couldn’t afford to travel to
Montreal to train with him, but I participated in the online forums and leapt at the chance
to train with one of his affiliates and some other people interested in this system.
From Senshido, I learned that self-defence is about much more than the physical
elements that most of us think of when the term is mentioned and that martial arts
tend to focus upon. Far more important than being able to kick or punch or grapple is
knowing when to kick or punch or grapple. But even better is to never have to use those
techniques in the first place. Win without fighting! Vanquish your enemies by making
them your friends. Avoid and circumvent problems before they arise.
When I’ve faced violent and potentially violent situations both in a professional role as
a social worker and in my personal life, it has been my knowledge of both physical and
psychological aspects of self-defence that has allowed me to engage in those situations
with confidence.
Moreover, studying self-defence has imbued me with confidence in all aspects of
my life. I’m more confident when interacting with colleagues, family members, dating
partners, and difficult people wherever I might encounter them. I’m also more apt to try
a host of physical activities and sports which I would have previously shied away from.
Additionally, my physical and mental health has improved.
So, what are the benefits that you’ll experience when you study self-defence? First,
and not to be underestimated, is the ability to defend yourself from violent assault,
both physical and psychological. Your eye-hand coordination will improve. You will
learn to resolve conflict in a variety of ways, seeking win-win solutions. Perhaps most
importantly, you will also gain confidence which is transferable to all aspects of your life.
we played sports, I was in terrible shape, and I was bullied by some of my classmates
throughout elementary school.
It wasn’t until I was seventeen that I studied at a martial arts school. I picked Tae Kwon
Do because a cousin I respect had a black belt in that style. Around that time I was
exposed to Richard Dimitri and Senshido. As a student, I couldn’t afford to travel to
Montreal to train with him, but I participated in the online forums and leapt at the chance
to train with one of his affiliates and some other people interested in this system.
From Senshido, I learned that self-defence is about much more than the physical
elements that most of us think of when the term is mentioned and that martial arts
tend to focus upon. Far more important than being able to kick or punch or grapple is
knowing when to kick or punch or grapple. But even better is to never have to use those
techniques in the first place. Win without fighting! Vanquish your enemies by making
them your friends. Avoid and circumvent problems before they arise.
When I’ve faced violent and potentially violent situations both in a professional role as
a social worker and in my personal life, it has been my knowledge of both physical and
psychological aspects of self-defence that has allowed me to engage in those situations
with confidence.
Moreover, studying self-defence has imbued me with confidence in all aspects of
my life. I’m more confident when interacting with colleagues, family members, dating
partners, and difficult people wherever I might encounter them. I’m also more apt to try
a host of physical activities and sports which I would have previously shied away from.
Additionally, my physical and mental health has improved.
So, what are the benefits that you’ll experience when you study self-defence? First,
and not to be underestimated, is the ability to defend yourself from violent assault,
both physical and psychological. Your eye-hand coordination will improve. You will
learn to resolve conflict in a variety of ways, seeking win-win solutions. Perhaps most
importantly, you will also gain confidence which is transferable to all aspects of your life.