Daily Training Opportunities

- by Cori Tyler

We’re big on self-defense training at LLDT.  Go figure.  I mean, what’s in a name, right?  So, it’s not really surprising that I’m going to write about training some more.  What might surprise you, though, is the type of training I want to talk about this time.  My experience is as an empty-hand tactics instructor.  I’ve seen it called a lot of different names over the years.  Defensive Tactics, Control Tactics, Combatives, Hand-to-Hand Tactics; you get the idea.  We’re talking about ways of defending yourself against an attack when you find yourself unarmed, or unable to deploy a weapon.  Somewhat misleadingly, use of sticks/batons/canes, and knives also falls into this realm.

But, that’s not the training I’m going to talk to you about today.

I think it’s important we discuss something that will give anyone forced into any physical conflict an extra edge:  Physical conditioning.

That’s right.  I’m going to talk to you about exercise today.  First, I think I ought to let you in on something that isn’t a very big secret if you know me.  I haven’t been very good at staying in shape.  In fact, I’ve never been super physically fit, but in recent years I’ve gotten worse than before.   Recently, though, I’ve decided, for a number of reasons, to rectify this situation in earnest.  I’m three weeks into a workout program, and I can already see and feel the differences.  I think it’s important to share some of those, for the sake of the discussion I want to have.

Already, my flexibility – which was not one of my weakest areas – is improving.  My strength and endurance in the lower back is much better, too.   Overall, stamina is much better, and I think maybe, just maybe, I’m already feeling stronger.  The greatest benefit, one I didn’t expect, is how much regular exercise decreases my stress levels.  My family says – in so many words – that I’m much less of an ass-hole when I’ve been working out regularly.  Of course, lowering my daily stress levels also prepares me better for times when stress might be elevated – like facing physical conflict.

I’ve found, with the program I’m doing, that some exercises also offer me a little opportunity to practice some of my empty-hand techniques.  Certain movements are identical to knee strikes, punches, or other types of strikes.  Others are similar enough that it doesn’t seem to change the workout’s goal if I modify them to match those strikes.  As I move around my floor, there are a lot of opportunities for practicing body positioning and movement.  I can often hold my hands and arms in a ready position, my feet and legs in a ready stance.  If I change directions of movement, changing the positioning of my body accordingly provides some practical exercise, making the workout twice as beneficial.

Now, there’s a challenge I’ve found.  I have to focus on what I’m doing.   I have to be careful to keep my energy geared toward the goal of the exercise, while also concentrating on not getting sloppy with the technique I’m practicing.  As the session goes on, and I get more fatigued, this gets tougher.  There is an adage that says as we train, so shall we fight.  If I’m gasping for breath, sweating like a whore in church, and shaking in the knees, it’s a pretty good simulation of the physical stresses that are part and parcel in a fight.

What I run into with my workout program is, sometimes it wants me to move in ways that are counter to my training and experience.  I’ve chosen to modify the movements in those cases so they fall in line with my defensive training.  For example, an aerobic workout that includes punches delivered without both feet on the ground do not jibe with how I’ve learned and practiced punching.  Anyone who’s studied any form of unarmed physical defense knows that planting your feet is essential to delivering a solid strike.  I just can’t make myself go against that.

It seems to me this approach might work for a number of different things we choose to learn and practice.  There are probably lots of ways to adapt daily exercises or activities to provide practice toward something else.

Any ideas?