Boxing classes are probably more common then many exotic martial arts. I certianly don't think it is perfect but I do think more people should consider it. I think you're more likely to learn how to take a hit at your average boxing gym then you are at your average martial arts studio.
Unfortunatly not in my area. In my area many boxing gyms are closing. Boxing gyms are not as common as they once were. It is not politcally correct to have one of these gyms anymore.
I have trained in a boxing gym. The boxers I fought against did not realize how hard I could hit even with pads on. They upped the ante and allowed me to spar with more experienced fighters and they hit me harder than the first two fighters they put me with. It was alot of fun..but again nothing i saw in that boxing gym led me to believe they were any good at self-defense. They were however good at intimidation. Psyching you out so to speak.
You are correct that in most street fights there are few kicks if any thrown.
In the street fights I have been in none were thrown. I was so surprised someone would attack me that I finished them rather quickly and with more force than I expected.
Fight #1 Graphic details....
A guy tried to stab me with a knife. I used body movement and threw a reverse punch to his right cheek shattering bone. it was a rather sikening feeling when that happend. when I realized what i had done and looked down the individual was completley unconcious and bleeding from his mouth and the back of his head where he hit the pavement. I got scarred and got in my car as a security guard called an ambulance. He witnessed the event and told me to go he would take care of it. what was amazing to me was the fact that I couldn't stop shaking for a period of time after that and could barely drive. Got home and called my sensei he said that is a normal reaction to an event like that.
Fight#2
Fall evening....walking back to car and three young men asked me where I was going. I said to my car to go home....they then came forward and tried to surround me...I back up and waited for the first one to punch me. The 'leader' threw a punch and I used Taisabaki (body escape) learned in class to move out of the way. There were rocks and I began to slip so I bent my knees keeping my balence...the guys arm was right in front of my face so I threw a straight punch to his Elbow.....Damn ...talk about an even worse feeling than the guys cheek breaking...i watched in horror and anger as the force of my strike followed right thru his arm to hit him square in the nose. His nose exploded and he shouted loudly falling to the ground....I immediatly turned to the other two who were now behind me and I must have looked like a madman because they threw up their hands and more or less surrendered. I told them to get their friend to a hospital an never to attack anyone again. The poor guy that attacked me had a piece of his elbow sticking through his skin and was bleeding all over the place. You never know what is going to happen. What i found odd in this situation is that I didn't shake until I was in my car and I tried to turn on the radio...dam adrenalin.
I do not feel I need to go on.....but I will say this.
If you get in a fight it is serious business do not take it lightly. Remember the individual does not know you and you probably do not know him. It is best if you do not fight and you should avoid it if possible. If a guy has a gun and you have a loved one with you give them your wallet...it isn't worth it to try to get the gun. Anyone telling you different has never been in that situation. if however, you are alone and feel the guy is going to kill you anyway then by all means protect yourself. When you train for situations like this ...things seem to move in slow motion at least in my experience. I think that is a benefit of adrenalin and training. In both of those above situations it was my training that saved me from a bad situation. The first one I was a second green belt or 5 kyu in Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu. In the second one I was a 1st dan with 4yrs of training under my belt. I had been training with the Second Dan students getting ready for them to test for third and me for Second. When you train at this level you train to internalize your basic foundations.
I reacted to a stimulus without thinking and when i thought about what was happening it was over. A fight is a type of trauma and can be a life chageing event.
Live a life of peace but be ready to defend your peace if necessary. Remember the consequences of what you are doing. I for one know very well what I am capable of and will avoid a fight whenever possible....Life is too fragile.
To defend is to live ...to live is to enjoy.
To fight without prupose is something that will leave you hollow and unfufilled in life.
A day without training is a day without life.....
Train to live, train to grow, but most of all train to learn.
Live, learn and grow,
Darius
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). I'm taking a Reiki class next month and am looking forward to learning more about it.
