When we think of fighting techniques, we usually consider only physical actions.
In this article I would like to talk a little about the psychological techniques that are applied to combat.
Not only are these techniques something you may never have heard of, but the source of the information may surprise you as well.
Psychological well-being is very important not only if you are a professional competitor or if you use self-defense moves against a surprise attack on the street, but also in life in general. The most successful people are said to have the ‘winning mentality’ and indeed a small rainforest has indulged in the mountain of self-help books, DVDs and even decks of cards that claim to give you this ‘winning mentality’ in exchange for a certain amount of profit.
Good performance comes from experience, knowledge and, of course, a decrease (or control) of fear.
A certain amount of fear is healthy. Keeps wild animals safe and alert, always alert to predators that may be lurking in the bush.
In a self-defense situation it keeps you alert and helps you avoid unnecessary confrontations that could endanger your life. In competitive fights, it helps you to be alert to your opponent’s attacks and to maintain good defense. But unnecessary fear can overwhelm you and render you idle, whether it’s fighting, communicating, or even preventing you from taking action in any aspect of your life. Controlling that fear and not letting it control you is a crucial step towards psychological well-being. (Don’t let the tail wag the dog like they say.)
One person who has largely controlled his fear is Charles Bronson, not the actor, but “Britain’s most dangerous prisoner.” He has quite a reputation when it comes to fighting.
A surprising revelation from Mr. Bronson is that he uses a yoga technique that he once learned from a fellow inmate who was a martial artist. Charles said he once used it to psych himself up before jumping off a prison landing to punch a prisoner and kick a steel door off its hinges. Now he claims that he has controlled his temper and has improved himself using the same technique but with a different application. (Phew!)
Tea Kapalbhati Pranayama as it is called it is a breathing and meditation exercise that has been used for centuries in the East and has been tested by many. Without going into all the technique in this article, you can find many examples of Kapalbhati Pranayama through an online search engine.
It may well be that this technique, if used by more competitors, may be another MMA ingredient in finding the best martial art, as the potential benefits of using this in competition are enormous and so are the long-term benefits to your mental health. (and physics). wellness and not just to ‘beat the nonce in g-wing!’
As for hitting power, he also talks about the “technical punch.” What it says is that you have to try your blow to do power and damage, no half changes, but a blow that aims to to hit the target with maximum impact.
This is one of my favorite fighting techniques and very good advice. If you are punching focus pads, heavy bag, or any target, make sure there is intention behind the strike. By focusing on each attack, you will see the results for yourself, instantly!
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