ok sifu’s I have a question. My husband and I have always enjoyed rough housing and tackling eachother. We always get wound up after watching UFC! We try out different techniques we saw and such. Since starting Kenpo, I always try and use the new techniques I’ve learned. Especially after Sifu Dans Wednesday night class. Now he gets mad at me. He says I’m trying to hurt him on purpose…whine, whine…...My reply is, he is physically stronger, bigger and heavier so when he gets me in a hold I have to come back harder- needless to say, he gets hurt :D It doesnt help that I laugh when I hear bones crack. I have no doubt in my mind that I will some day break something of his-might just be a finger or wrist. Can’t say that I feel bad about it either—Is this a BAD thing???
Many years aga when I had just gone through the Krav Maga Instructors course I tried to show one of the Kenpo instructors a gun technique. He was much bigger and stronger than me. When I tried to do the takeaway I could not take the gun from him.
He just held on with all his strength. This happened in front of class.
So I asked to try it again. This time, I redirected the line of fire, and instead of pulling the punch I hit him as hard as I could in the shoulder. Surprisingly, he dropped the gun immediately.
Point is, my stuff is designed to work because it hurts. If someone wants to put me in a headlock, and use all their strength to maintain the hold, then they shouldn’t complain when I use my stuff to get free. There are always consequences for actions.
Here’s my question. Obviously you and Skid Marks have the gene that equips you with the “switch” that everyone keeps telling me about. I think that particular gene was skipped in my DNA. I don’t have the switch. I have a similar switch that goes into overdrive, probably a bit too quickly, when someone messes with my kids or my husband. But I seem to be lacking the switch that otherwise triggers aggression. You know this to be true, because you’ve seen me in kenpo class. My smart-ass, acid tongue is about the most trouble you’ll get out of me. Can I buy one of these switches? Do they sell them on ebay? :?
If you throw the switch wjhen someone messes with your family, then you have the switch. Its are job to help you learn how to throw it when you need it.
I think it’s much easier to “throw the switch” when it comes to defending others. On the contrary, it is generally much more difficult to “throw the switch” when someone threatens you personally. This is because most people, in their every-day relations with normal human beings, have been subconsciously indoctrinated with the idea that we should never hurt anyone. Unfortunately, not everyone has these inhibitions. So, when we are confronted with someone who intends to harm us, we need to realize that we can’t relate to these people with our normal manners. We need to turn into attackers who are capable of hurting other people - bad people.
Anyway, didn’t mean to bomb the thread!
Go_Irish, I think a great way to hone your switch is to do the drills where you close your eyes and an attacker will attack as he yells at you to open your eyes. This teaches you to “throw the switch” and go straight to fighting mode! :twisted:
One of the easy ways to remove the problem KM speaks about is to make/force a person to announce their intentions. Once their intentions are known it is easy to choose what to do.
Kravman, I absolutely agree. I am so quick, as I said probably too quick, with the claws and venom when it comes to my family. Yet I find it hard to draw a line in the sand for inappropriate behavior toward me. This is not to say I never stick up for myself. Nor does it mean I would willingly let someone do me bodily harm. I just don’t know what it would take to make me physically respond. I would feel a lot more comfortable if I could clearly define that.
I think GD may have given me an answer to part of this equation. If I know the intentions, I can plan the action. This is one of the reasons I started attending kenpo class, to learn how to plan (besides claws and venom). But I still have to figure out how to push myself in class. I am the one who always apologizes and says, “Did I hurt you?”
Your drill idea is worth pondering. To be perfectly honest, I might just curl up in a ball or run. I’ll think about it. I’m sure my teenager would love the opportunity to yell at me for awhile.
I did have a major breakthrough last night! I actually made Skid_Marks beg for mercy. Okay, maybe she just said “ow.” But it was enough to make her comment on my being a wee bit more aggressive. :x
Irish- Your family could not be the same without you.
They would not want to live without you, as you are.
Defend yourself, if not for you ( that will come) but for them.
Skid
He needs to come to class.
Don’t play, if it becomes a problem. I agree with GD about the “I want to show that what you are doing won’t work, as long as you don’t really do it “
Sort of moot. There is another thread somewhere DD started, about people calling you out, making insane you know karate jokes trying to get you to do something… but then if you do, someone will be hurt-
It is serious stuff after all.
It’s all in good fun still… he’s totally supported of me going to class. I wish he’d come too,but someone has to run the biz while I’m out having fun. He always wants to know what new stuff I can show him. Wish I had more time so I could go to Krav class too.
Irish- you have the switch. It comes on when you or your family feel truely threatened. In class, you know we’re having fun. I must say, you do better when I tell you to hurt me! :KO
LOL! You’re on! This venom has been specially formulated over the years through a mixture of Scottish, Irish and American Indian ancestors. It basically renders you stubborn and hot-tempered. Can you handle it?
