Martial Arts: Part Two

 I'm sometimes asked by younger students if I have ever used my martial arts training. I always reply, "Yes, every day." However, that doesn't mean my daily routine looks like scenes from a Chuck Norris movie. The discipline from training applies to much of my life. It's easier to focus on what is important, and persevere through difficult tasks. 

Knowing how to take care of yourself is, of course, a very important part of training. Another great quote from the original "Karate Kid" is Mr. Miyagi asking Daniel why learn how to fight? Daniel's reply, "So I won't have to fight," is the correct answer. 

Since I started training, I've been in several situations that could have turned violent. In each case, I kept my cool. Martial arts give you an advantage, but doesn't turn you into a super hero. It's also very important realizing real life often means an opponent will do something unexpected. What physically works in the dojo has to be adapted in a microsecond for it to work. That is why the mental part of training is so important.

The best defense is defusing the situation. Like I said, it starts with not getting riled. Example one. I was in my veterinarian's office watching a young brother and sister at the receptionist's desk. The brother was being a real jerk. He accused the staff of mistreating his sister's cat, (she told him no, they were doing their best but he wouldn't listen). I finally had enough of his threats to the staff and said, "Will you shut up over there?" He came over to me and got in my face. For a start, he was about six inches taller and younger. He asked, "Do you want to step outside?" over and over.

I kept my voice even and kept saying, "Calm down." Within a few seconds, he backed away a couple of feet. This meant he got the hint I wasn't intimidated. He still made some more threats while his poor sister kept asking him to get hold of himself. He moved farther away, and his bullying quickly fell to a few dirty looks. Then he left the office. The sister apologized on his behalf, saying he was always flying off the handle. I told her about my training. Her reply was it will be a pleasure telling her brother he was up against someone who could really hurt him if it came down to it.

A second example had a humorous outcome. I had finished my Hapkido class in San Francisco and was waiting on the Bay Area Rapid Transit, (BART), platform for my train ride home. A couple of guys engaged in a heated argument descended a stairway. The commotion naturally got my attention so I looked their way. They separated without incident. One of them walked in front of me. He saw me looking, and thinking I might have gotten involved, said, "Don't even think about or I'll kill you." 

I didn't reply or react. He kept going, then came back. Those few seconds gave me plenty of time to think about how to respond if he started something. Instead he apologized. "I'm sorry, you didn't do anything. I need to control my temper. You never know when someone has a gun or knife." 

I said, "Apology accepted," then unzipped my gym bag and pulled out my belt. I added, "Or a black belt." He replied, "That's another good reason."

The bottom line is winning a fight without fighting. How those situations would have turned out if I hadn't trained is unknown. I'm glad I didn't find out.