Psycho-Chemical Stress Conditioning in Budo - Part 1

A close friend of mine named Meg Hinkley runs a women’s self defense program in Dallas, Texas called Athena’s Strategies. She is a long-time practitioner of martial arts and is uniquely knowledgeable in the actual dynamics of women’s assault and self defense. Several years ago she asked me to help her evaluate her program and occasionally assist in its implementation. It is an impressive program. Athena’s Strategies is among the few womens’ self defense programs I recommend without reservation. Much of the program involves the presentation of facts and supporting data that dispel many of the myths commonly associated with the physical and sexual assault of women. The remaining curriculum addresses the physical aspects of violent assault in a process that exceeds virtually all common forms of budo study in its effectiveness towards the realistic application of self-defense. The greatest reason for this advantage exists because Meg’s program unflinchingly confronts the psycho-chemical stress response, what I call PCS.

Broadly speaking, there is a significant lack of effective instruction in confronting the physiological and psychological stresses that occur during all physical conflict. Truth be told, most highly ranked instructors in budo have virtually no experience with the symptoms of PCS and many even refuse to acknowledge its debilitating effects. The result of this omission is that a majority of students in budo are given a false sense of security, believing that they can somehow translate their growing technical dojo prowess into actual street effectiveness. Such belief is a statistical fantasy, and a dangerous one at that. The humbling of a self-assured black belt coming into Meg Hinkley’s program is a vivid lesson in deficiencies of most budo training. A black belt supposedly trained in self-defense, being tackled, pinned and totally dominated by 115 pound Meg is a something to behold. But seeing such women being effectively manipulated by verbal intimidation alone, dramatically illustrates the fact that PCS is far more debilitating than most student or teachers of budo realize.

The chances of successfully navigating the adverse effects of PCS are compromised significantly if one is involved in a form of budo predominantly driven by a teaching model based on cooperative partner interaction. No dojo or seminar training environment can replicate an actual violent confrontation. However, the model of cooperative partner training common in most schools of aikido and some classical styles of budo is among the least likely to provide actual confrontation with the effects of PCS. How can one be expected to realistically confront violence if the dojo environment is always harmonious? It’s all fine and dandy to wax philosophically about harmonizing peacefully with an attacker and reaching a higher plane of spiritual existence through the study of budo, but I must point out that such ideals are of little value to a budo student violently attacked in a parking garage. Claiming that the aikido most commonly available in dojos today is effective self-defense in such a situation or, for that matter, a genuine reflection of strict martial study is propagation of a highly irresponsible myth. When I hear such naiveté provided as fact I am reminded of the harsh wisdom of sensei Yuiyoshi Takamura when he said:

Remember that most people who call themselves martial artists are nothing of the sort. Most dojos are not martial arts dojos either. They are glorified social clubs thriving in an environment of emotional stimulation which is heightened by a false or extremely limited perception of danger. When real danger shows itself in such a dojo, the participants run for cover. In a real dojo the participants run towards the conflict.

For a vast majority of budo practitioners, even experienced ones, to effectively apply technique during an actual violent encounter requires familiarity with the onset and debilitating effects of PCS. Without such experience, the technical syllabus one has spent years perfecting in the dojo is simply unavailable. It is like a box of valuable tools locked behind closed doors without a key. Training that includes such high-level intensity that one frequently experiences PCS is the key to unlocking the valuable waza you have dedicated years in the dojo to learning and perfecting.

So what are the methods for gaining access to PCS? There are several.

The first level towards experiencing PCS is to allow the speed and power of the attacks to reach a level significantly higher than one can easily handle. One should function only in a protective or defensive mode at this point, attempting to weather the dizzying array of attacks by utilizing only taisabaki, blocks & parries. One should get hit and hit frequently at this level of training. No active defense such as counterattacks or throws should be attempted at this level of PCS training. The point is to experience the overwhelming confusion associated with a violent attack. Bang! For many people unaccustomed to overwhelming physical conflict, the adrenaline dump will stop them like a brick wall. One will start shaking, hearing will become tinny and one will realize that all they can physically manage are gross motor movements. Occasionally, some people will develop tunnel vision and may even lose their hearing temporarily. This is not a pleasant experience and it isn’t meant to be. It’s intended to put one under extreme stress. In this type of training it is absolutely necessary that you find a partner you trust completely, one who can function as an attacker but whose technique and control are of such a high technical level that the chance of serious injury is greatly diminished. It is also recommended that one wear protective equipment such as head gear for this practice. After this level of stress is experienced on a frequent basis you’ll discover that faster and more violent attacks are needed to induce PCS. You may even need to allow the attack to induce significantly more physical pain than you’ve previously experienced. Its important to remember that your body and mind are learning to deal with PCS. By adapting to the incremental increases in physical, psychological and chemical stress, you are no longer physically or mentally reacting as you did early in your experience with PCS. You are now becoming mentally detached from the effects of PCS, free to evaluate your situation with much more clarity of mind.

The next level of training will require more protection for the attacker and less for you as you will start attempting to apply your own techniques in response to the attack. The actual technique is not strictly important so safer, less dangerous applications of technique are appropriate here. It is the mental and physical calmness in the application of technique during extreme duress that matters most now. You should develop a calm enough mind to draw any response from the previously locked box of techniques you have acquired in regular dojo training. Through PCS conditioning, you’ve acquired the key to access the best waza you have available to you.

In Part 2, I will address other aspects of budo training that can be used to induce PCS. I will also examine the myths and misunderstandings propagated by those who downplay or dismiss the benefits of PCS conditioning.

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Toby Threadgill is a menkyo kaiden in Shindo Yoshin-ryu and will be a featured instructor at Aiki Expo 2005.

Toby Threadgill — February 27^th, 2005 (add comment)