So you have been training for a little while.  Your familiar with your system’s training methods and your partners in class.  You are getting comfortable with the Martial Science you train in.  Oh oh………….  Just like a married man or woman who starts to put on some weight after being married a while or someone who has been in a job for a while once you get comfortable things can happen and they are not always good.  In the Martial Sciences when we are preparing for life and death struggles being comfortable can be really dangerous.

What does this mean?  If you train a certain way and never step out of the box to train differently there is a chance that in a real world confrontation you might just get surprised.  When you are surprised you may not react appropriately but instead you may enter the fight or flight response.  That is natural for humans and it can be good but it might control you rather than you controlling it.  We train in the Martial Sciences so that the fight or flight response does not control us but instead we can use it.  We can use the adrenaline, etc. to gain advantage and to survive in a violent situation.

As an IRT practitioner I try to consistently step out of the box.  I try to stay edgy or keep my training on the edge so that I am never comfortable.  I regularly train with new people from other systems and having new partners helps but also experiencing how they do things keeps me uncomfortable.  That is the key, being uncomfortable in your training is essential so that when something does happen on the street you probably won’t be surprised or uncomfortable.  Instead you will probably fall into your skill sets and asses and act immediately to take care of the situation.  By staying Edgy or uncomfortable in your training you also will make those leaps and bounds in your training that spur martial growth!

All to often in the Martial Sciences I have seen people get comfortable in their training and system.  Next thing you know they have minimal or no growth as a martial practitioner.  Worse yet if they have to utilize their skill sets they may not have the edge in a violent confrontation.  They have become comfortable and quite frankly some times a little lazy in their training.  This is dangerous and to be avoided!

As an instructor I always make sure within my lesson plans to keep the other student’s/practitioner’s uncomfortable.  That is part of my responsibility.  In a broad system like IRT that is pretty easy.  I can always introduce a new movement or a drill or a different kind of method of rolling or sparring.  I try to keep anyone I am working with a little uncomfortable in their training.  You owe it to yourself to be a little uncomfortable in your training.  Seek out things that keep you inspired but also uncomfortable.  Bottom line do not be a martial practitioner that is comfortable and satisfied in your training!  Instead stay a little edgy and a little uncomfortable and live outside the box!

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This blog is opinion only and neither Instinctive Response Training LLC or Brian R. VanCise are responsible for any third party actions.

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