Upcoming Events

 

Utah

Snake Test
March 8th
6 pm

 

Kung Fu Review
March 22rd
6 pm

Weapon Clinic
April 13th

 

Kung Fu Review
April 26th

 

 

 

 

 

Current Events

Stress

Help! I can't breath! Can't move! I can't think. Get away! The Wall… his eyes … he's too strong…

Stress is a subject that has received a great deal of attention in research. It is something that effects each and every one of us in varying degrees. It effects every living organism on earth. Dr. Hans Selye studies found stress causes specific changes in the structure and chemical composition of the body. Dr. Selye work focused on biological disease. Yet further research has shown Dr. Selye's concepts works well for all types of stress. Some of the predictable changes are due to actual damage to the body. Other changes result from the body's attempt to defend itself. These are referred to as adaptive reactions. Selye grouped all these predictable changes into what he coined General Adaptation Syndrome: the alarm reaction stage, the resistance stage and the exhaustion stage. The initial alarm reaction represents the physical manifestation of the body's "call to arms" of its defense mechanisms.
If the stress stimulus remains the body will enter into the resistance stage where actions are taken to remove the stress(es).

The body will move into the exhaustion stage if and when it can not continue to resist. Each of these stages have different and unique characteristics that are predictable in every one of us.
When a stress(es) is first introduced an "Alarm Stage" is produced. Here it is common to have 1/ tunnel vision: only being able to see in a narrow field or only being able to see one thing; 2/ increased awareness of all senses: smell, hearing, touch, etc., often to where one receives too much stimulus; 3/ time distortion: time slows down or speeds up; 4/ loss of body functions: sweating, vomiting, motor coordination, heart rate, etc. and 5/ change in physical strength. Emergency rescue, E.R. Situations, military combat, arrests, wilderness survival, auto accidents, and assaults are just a few examples of stressful, high pressure, panic- producing situations. Yet everyone can develop the ability to perform better. The more you train in different environments/circumstances the less you immediately move to full-blown disfunctioning panic. The more you successfully experience dealing with the feelings of panic the quicker you will be able to adapt to a productive Resistance Stage and maintain that stage longer before entering exhaustion.
If we examine and understand these predictable reactions then we can adjust our training to overcome many of the negative aspects of the phenomenon.

Most martial artists do not take this into account. They are comfortable working out in their well lit, carpeted, air-conditioned studio.

They train enough to develop skills that they egotistically believe will enable them to defend themselves "on the street". Many of them have never been in an actual self-defense situation. Their experience, conditioning and training revolve around the rules and etiquette of controlled sparring. Their martial lessons are often in styles that put more emphasis on performance and visual appeal than actual combative effectiveness.
Martial Artists need a system that works to defeat a real attack and lets you remain calm when others panic. Martial artists need a system that takes advantage of how the body responds during the alarm stage so the physical changes of heightened senses and strength can aid you instead of hinder you. These are all keys with Shaolin Arts, Chuan Fa, Xu Ling Xing, and Tai Chi Chuan.
Understanding the factors of the exhaustion stage allows you to more safely control a violent aggressive individual; where you can be safe and their harm minimized. You can take a bad situation and move it to a win / win experience for all involved.
Remember, the better your ability to calm yourself, relax, heal and be aware, the more likely you'll be one step ahead of any problem; and be able to tap into all the tools available both within you and within your environment.