| Shock, horror! Well, I for one, believe this to be a true | | | | to hurt or even fell an opponent, it should be. |
| statement, but at the same time, I'm going to say, | | | | In the dojo, etiquette, control and discipline rule the day, |
| some karateka are very dangerous, they could and | | | | in the street, they have no regard for your safety, they |
| would, tear apart, 90% of attackers! | | | | do not care if they kill you and they most definitely |
| So what's the difference between the two, | | | | show no control or mercy. |
| ATTITUDE! | | | | I can't remember the exact words he used, but, the |
| When training, you are what you think, if you are | | | | famous boxer, Mike Tyson, when he was world |
| thinking about cuddly teddy bears and cup cakes (just | | | | champion, said, 'They cannot hurt me, they cannot |
| an example), you will be about as effective as teddy | | | | knock me out, I won't allow them to'. In the martial arts, |
| bear in a fight with a T Rex! | | | | karate and self defence, that's the attitude to have. |
| If your attitude is strong and positive in the dojo, you | | | | Another Mike Tyson quote, 'Every shot was thrown |
| are going to have a better chance in a real self | | | | with bad intentions'. |
| defense situation. | | | | Some karateka naturally have this attitude, others |
| When your karate is at full speed and power, you | | | | need to train themselves to be like this, never give up, |
| should practice like your life depends on each move, | | | | if you knock me down, I'm just going to get back up, I |
| use some imagination, your karate can still be practiced | | | | will not stop and when I hit you, I will hit with, as Mike |
| safely, but when techniques become real, it takes on a | | | | Tyson says, 'bad intention'! |
| whole new meaning. Make it real. | | | | So, to me, self defense is a state of mind, rather than |
| When practicing kata (forms), kihon (basics) or kumite | | | | a physical state of being, obviously the physical side is |
| (sparring) at speed, when your strike hits the target, | | | | important, but all karateka have the physical side, don't |
| imagine what would really happen if you landed the | | | | they? |
| blow with full force and no control, is it strong enough | | | | |