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NOTE: This article was originally written by Darryl for the April 06 edition of the Shaolin Wahnam Institute - UK newsletter. I found the topic so interesting that I decided to post it here as well so that it could become an open discussion. I look forward to reading your views. Handing over to Darryl:
"Reality Based Training: High level Pressure Testing within Shaolin Wahnam?" by Sifu Darryl Collett (www.shaolinwahnam.co.uk/scotland)
There seems to be a large movement in the martial arts world just now for everything to be Real; real fights, real life, and real danger. While I'm very pleased to see people taking their training seriously, I'm saddened when I see these same people deliberately hurting themselves and others, purely in the spirit of misunderstanding.
For a quick explanation of terms, 'Pressure Testing' refers to a process where someone is put into a stressful situation to see how they react, how they will attempt to defend themselves. 'Reality based training' refers to a more 'no-frills' approach, where unworkable or potentially suicidal techniques are removed, where the only ones practiced are simple, direct and highly effective.
Both of these goals are extremely important and very neccessary, especially in a martial art. The methods used vary greatly, but all focus on the same end - to strip away the false illusions and give people a well grounded, realistic basis for their practice.
The most common methods of teaching Pressure Testing use external stimulus - you may find yourself standing there while the person in front of you starts pushing you, shouting and swearing at you, making threatening gestures or invading your personal space. They may be encouraged to be striking and spitting, resisting your attempts to prevent or avoid the situation. There may be more than one, moving round you and doing all they can to scare or provoke you.
Is a counter to all of this behaviour taught in Shaolin Wahnam? Yes, right from the beginning - stay at your Dan Tian. Stay relaxed, stay open and be ready.
The other missing ingredient is Realistic training - many schools are either social clubs or butcher shops, with no Yin Yang Harmony. A social club has warm and friendly students, who enjoy their practice and share jokes and laughter. A butcher shop has students who concentrate on hurting and being hurt. A much more balanced approach is to have both - students who are there to learn, who can apply their arts in a realistic and highly trained manner, yet still enjoy the training and laugh with their partners.
So where does the Pressure Testing come in? If your partner training is either unthreatening or causing any physical and/or emotional injury, you need to learn how to do it.
If you're doing combat training with a partner, be a good partner. Come in to hit them and don't give up. Don't go away and don't be discouraged. Make them work to be safe and make sure you are both learning. Remember to stay at your own Dan Tian, practicing your techniques with control and understanding. Then comes the second part - don't get so caught up in attacking your partner that you throw defence to the wind. If they can hit you easily, you are no longer a good partner. Pressure testing goes both ways - you learn how to be a threat to them without becoming a liability to yourself.
Shaolin philosophy states that every action you perform should enhance your existing state of health. Pressure Testing is a powerful tool, so please use it responsibly. It doesn't matter if your pressure comes via work, school, family or a hobby - stay at your Dan Tian, keep an Open Heart and respond appropriately.
Darryl Collett
Shaolin Wahnam Scotland
“If the food comes first, we eat then talk. If the food takes time, we talk then eat”
"Reality Based Training: High level Pressure Testing within Shaolin Wahnam?" by Sifu Darryl Collett (www.shaolinwahnam.co.uk/scotland)
There seems to be a large movement in the martial arts world just now for everything to be Real; real fights, real life, and real danger. While I'm very pleased to see people taking their training seriously, I'm saddened when I see these same people deliberately hurting themselves and others, purely in the spirit of misunderstanding.
For a quick explanation of terms, 'Pressure Testing' refers to a process where someone is put into a stressful situation to see how they react, how they will attempt to defend themselves. 'Reality based training' refers to a more 'no-frills' approach, where unworkable or potentially suicidal techniques are removed, where the only ones practiced are simple, direct and highly effective.
Both of these goals are extremely important and very neccessary, especially in a martial art. The methods used vary greatly, but all focus on the same end - to strip away the false illusions and give people a well grounded, realistic basis for their practice.
The most common methods of teaching Pressure Testing use external stimulus - you may find yourself standing there while the person in front of you starts pushing you, shouting and swearing at you, making threatening gestures or invading your personal space. They may be encouraged to be striking and spitting, resisting your attempts to prevent or avoid the situation. There may be more than one, moving round you and doing all they can to scare or provoke you.
Is a counter to all of this behaviour taught in Shaolin Wahnam? Yes, right from the beginning - stay at your Dan Tian. Stay relaxed, stay open and be ready.
The other missing ingredient is Realistic training - many schools are either social clubs or butcher shops, with no Yin Yang Harmony. A social club has warm and friendly students, who enjoy their practice and share jokes and laughter. A butcher shop has students who concentrate on hurting and being hurt. A much more balanced approach is to have both - students who are there to learn, who can apply their arts in a realistic and highly trained manner, yet still enjoy the training and laugh with their partners.
So where does the Pressure Testing come in? If your partner training is either unthreatening or causing any physical and/or emotional injury, you need to learn how to do it.
If you're doing combat training with a partner, be a good partner. Come in to hit them and don't give up. Don't go away and don't be discouraged. Make them work to be safe and make sure you are both learning. Remember to stay at your own Dan Tian, practicing your techniques with control and understanding. Then comes the second part - don't get so caught up in attacking your partner that you throw defence to the wind. If they can hit you easily, you are no longer a good partner. Pressure testing goes both ways - you learn how to be a threat to them without becoming a liability to yourself.
Shaolin philosophy states that every action you perform should enhance your existing state of health. Pressure Testing is a powerful tool, so please use it responsibly. It doesn't matter if your pressure comes via work, school, family or a hobby - stay at your Dan Tian, keep an Open Heart and respond appropriately.
Darryl Collett
Shaolin Wahnam Scotland
“If the food comes first, we eat then talk. If the food takes time, we talk then eat”