Self Defense and the Brain. Part 2 of an important series.
Self Defense and the Brain: In part one of this article series, we learned that the brain operates at various cycles.
We also learned, that what cycle the brain is operating at, determines how we react. It was discussed, that this is true for all areas of self defense:
- Physical
- Mental
- Emotional
Brain cycles can happen in either one of two ways:
- Instinctively (most common, no training required)
- Intentional (uncommon, must be trained)
As example, if someone posts derogatory information on social media about us for the entire world to see, it is instinctive that we are operating at the Gamma brain cycle. We are 100% engaged. Emotions run wild, etc. This is instinctive. We never had to be trained for this, but, it is the worst place to be.
Self Defense and the Brain
Now, if we see such a thing about us advertised to the world by some nut-tard who has an itch to scratch and has made us the focus of their life, we want to be operating at the Alpha brain cycle. This is where we are relaxed, not bothered, and in control to digest correctly.
The above in a nutshell, is that Gamma is where we mentally are in response to most situations, whereas Alpha is where we want to be. It makes no difference what type of attack we are dealing with. Be it physical, mental, or emotional, if we can train ourselves to instinctively be in an Alpha state, the attack simply can not land.
- A punch does not hurt you if thrown. It hurts you, if you freeze and it lands
- An insult does not affect you if it pleases the masses. It affects you if you care.
Self Defense and the Brain - How does this work?
In order to be able to “go-to” any brain cycle, there is one major first step. This is true for anything. I’ll use going to the corner store as an example. What is the first vital step, that has to have happened, in order for you to ever return to the corner store when needed? Many would say that you need to know where the corner store is, or know that you have to step in that direction, etc.
Wrong. In order to ever get to, or return to the corner store or any location physical, mental, or emotional: You have to have been there at some point, so you know where “there” is. So, if you have never brought yourself from Gamma to Alpha, you won’t until you learn how to.
The ”switch” for changing brain cycles, is the most basic element of life: breath. Your breathing, determines your brain cycle. Faster shorter breaths, mean faster heartbeat, racing mind, tunnel vision, and no focus. Slow calm breaths, mean slower heartbeat, relaxed state, and vision from all sides and depths. So knowing this, we now know we need to learn and practice breath control.
Self Defense and the Brain - Meditation
Ever wonder why meditation is such a big part of martial arts training? The above is why. We train the fist by hitting things that are hard, moving targets, etc. we train the brain, with breathing. Like anything trained, the more we do it, the more instinctive it becomes. But we must train basic first, then applied. What does that mean?
Well, basic, would be regular mediation practice. Teach your mind, to reach and recognize Alpha. Applied, would be applying to a situation. Next time something pisses you off, deep slow breaths. Feel yourself focusing, and being in control of your response. Welcome hardship, as a training tool. Now I don’t mean go out of your way to cause it. I simply mean when hardship comes (and it always will in some shape or form), look at the positive side, which is, here is a prime training opportunity.
The result? The result, will be in time, after manually altering your brain cycles in the face of hardship (attack), the more familiar the response will become. The more familiar the response becomes, the more natural (instinctive) it will be.
Now, your being knows calm mind. It’s been there, and knows how to get there. It knows, that is the response to physical, mental, and emotional attacks. Through time and training, you won’t even have to consciously slow your breath. Calm will be the instinctive response.
Self Defense and the Brain in Conclusion
What a powerful position to be in! Self defense comes from within. It’s not the attack, it’s the response. You can try and avoid attacks, but they come.
You can’t avoid them all. But the reaction and whether or not the attacks land?
Always something YOU can control. Thank you for taking time to read Self Defense and the Brain
Kyoshi Dave.
Founder: World Budo Alliance
Humane Pressure Point Tactics
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Thank you for taking a few minutes of your time to read this article called Self Defense and the Brain Part 2, from World Budo Alliance Founder Kyoshi Dave Degrouchie.
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