Kenpo Karate: The Art of Control Part 2

In this second part, I would like to write about controlling one's own mind. It is one thing to be passionate about something and totally lose yourself in it. That is what being in the fire mindset is all about. However, if you let your emotions get the better of you, you may lose the fight quicker.

Whoever owns the mind wins the fight; whoever has control wins the fight. Some people are very emotionally charged. The slightest thing may get them to lose their cool and perform sloppy. Their opponents easily own them because they control that person's mind.

This can be a very useful strategy, but it takes knowing your enemy on a much more personal level than you would see at any school. However, those who let their emotions get the better of them all the time are very easy to figure out. Once you have that knowledge, it is easy to exploit and use. The trick is to understand how the person will reacts to whatever stimuli you use.

If your opponent gets angry, he may be easier to defeat but it also may make him more dangerous. If you can make your opponent feel self-conscious, you have a better shot of winning with less injury to self.

Now onto how to battle against someone who may be baiting you into losing your cool. The first step is to realize it is happening. When the stimuli is introduced that sets us off and makes us react in a certain way, it gains control of the mind because we let it. Instead of focusing on the task at hand, we become wrapped up in the trivial thing that just happened.

For instance, if you hate "your mama" jokes to the point that you take offense, your opponent may use that against you. It may make you so angry that you make simple mistakes that could have been avoided if you kept your cool. Realizing what is happening takes practice. We become preoccupied with the offense and we forget what is really important. By realizing that the opponent is using this stimuli to set us off-balance, we can stay focused on the task at hand and not the stimuli that set us off (or would have set us off).

Second step, continue to focus on your opponent like it was any other fight. Watch his movements and techniques and remember your training. What counter works best here or there. Keep your mind on these things and not the offensive stimuli.

Third step, if you are able, shrug off the offensive stimuli with some sort of retort. Smile and agree with him; what else can he say if you are fully "aware" of the things he is already saying. If you are lucky, this can make him slip up and then you have control of his mind.

Fourth step... This isn't really a step but possibly a brilliant strategy it one can pull it off: acting. You may be able to convince your opponent that he indeed has gotten into your head. If you can do this, he has a false sense of security and will more than likely not be fighting with full force. Why should he? If he has control, there is no reason to exert himself. This way you can take him by surprise and throw him off more and win.

Thank your for reading. Please add whatever you think to the comments below and we can have a discussion.

Kenpo Karate: The Art of Control Part 1

In kenpo karate and any other martial art, there are two things you must have control of while fighting. The first is your opponent and the second is yourself. Or vice versa, depending on which one you have the most difficulty with.

As Miyamoto wrote in the Book of Five Rings, a master of strategy has control over his opponent. This doesn't mean mental control like in those comic books, this means controling the fight.

There is no one answer on controlling the fight. Each fight is different because each opponent is different. This is where the water mindset plays a key role. You must be willing to understand your opponent in order to beat him or to control him. As Miyamoto described in the Book of Five Rings, there are three ways to engage an opponent that each martial artist uses without knowing.

1. Attacking
2. Waiting
3. Or Simultaneous Attacking

The one who attacks first has control of the fight. The fighter who is on the offensive controls where the opponent dodges by which techniques he uses and by surveying the environment. However, just because the attacker initially has control does not mean that he can maintain it.

There is something to be said about the opponent who waits. They can be called strategists as long as they maintain the water mindset. By waiting and dodging and perceiving, the Waiter can fully understand their opponent and utilize the right combinations to incapcitate him. Kenpo karate and most martial arts schools teach the arts to defend, not to attack. However sometimes it may be unavoidable, especially if you need to take control of the fight.

Simultaneously attacking is dangerous. Unless you have a high tolerance for pain, it is suggested you be an Attacker or a Waiter, however as you become more experienced maybe at the fire mindset or the wind mindset, simultaneous attacking works. It can be a way to fake out your opponent or even stop them from continuing his attack. Attacking at the same time can also become a defensive offense. While your opponent chickens out on the attack (if you haven't chickened out), you can continue your attack and take control of the fight. But very often it results in banged up shins and forearms, so get to know your body first before attempting a simultaneous attack.

I believe that I will save the second part of this blog for tomorrow. Thank you for reading!