| Is this a question that you often ask yourself as a | | | | different from losing-fear exercises. Each has a |
| martial artist? Just telling yourself not to be afraid or | | | | different focus. |
| reciting a bunch of positive affirmations won't work. | | | | Think about eliminating both the symptoms associated |
| What you really need is a multi-pronged approach to | | | | with fear, like dry lips and cold hands, and the root of |
| stop your fear of fighting or fear of having to defend | | | | what makes you afraid. |
| yourself in a fight. | | | | Systematic Approach for Stopping Fear |
| Gripped with Mind-Numbing Fear | | | | Whether reading one of my ebooks or workbooks on |
| If you haven't experienced the fear of being thrown | | | | fear elimination, collecting articles off the Internet, or |
| suddenly into a self defense situation, then you can't | | | | consulting a martial arts teacher, you need a |
| really imagine the mind-numbing fear that you feel in | | | | systematic approach for stopping your fear of fighting. |
| your head, the slightly-sick feeling in your stomach. | | | | Take my word for it; just trying a few ideas, randomly |
| If you have experienced this fear, then you know | | | | from time to time, won't really work in the long run. You |
| exactly what I am talking about. And you would do | | | | need a better way. Put your exercises and techniques |
| almost anything to lose the fear and develop the self | | | | together into an organized plan. |
| confidence of a master martial artist. | | | | You also need to be able to track your results. It's |
| Stop the Fear | | | | imperative that you know which of your methods are |
| The best way to eliminate your fear of fighting is to ... | | | | having results, and which strategies just don't work for |
| have several ways to eliminate your fear of fighting. | | | | you, personally. By seeing what works, you can |
| Make it a multifaceted solution. Have three or four | | | | emphasize those activities and more quickly achieve |
| techniques you'd like to try. | | | | your no-fear goal. |
| Include activities that will accustom you to dealing with | | | | One last note -- if something isn't working for you, |
| threat. Practice scenarios. | | | | analyze why. Sometimes knowing why a specific |
| Also be sure to incorporate drills and exercises | | | | approach failed will teach you a lot about yourself and |
| specifically designed for building confidence. These are | | | | why you can't seem to stop your fear of fighting. |