“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”
Self-defense is a state of mind. Being physically fit is important, but so is a strong and focused mind.
Be self-aware.
Know your environment and check out your area at all times. When I go out to eat, I like to sit with my back to the wall at a restaurant so I’m aware of the people in a room. Locate all the exits. I even count the seat handles on an airplane from the exits. Bottom line, if something happens people will panic. You will need to know your environment to protect yourself and help others.
State Of Mind
Have a certain state of mind so you can size up any situation and react in a moment’s notice. Calm, cool, and without being paranoid.
If you encounter a situation where someone wants to hurt you, I teach my adult students the same thing I teach the children…
- Run! An attacker can’t hurt you if you’re not there.
- Find an adult or police officer. Do not take matters into your own hands.
- Fight to win.
It’s a very similar formula for adults as well. Extract yourself from the situation, get out before it escalates into something bad. If someone is trying to pick a fight with you, calm it down, try not to get in the fight. You might think it would be a fair fight, but that’s when the four other guys jump in or you get stabbed or shot.
But if you are cornered and can’t run, and there isn’t any help around, then you fight, and you fight to win.
Tae Kwon-Do
Studying Tae Kwon-Do involves sparring. We spar not only to teach you how to hit, but also to prepare you to be hit. Sparring helps you understand that if you get kicked in the stomach you’re going to be okay. Or if you get punched in the face, it’s okay. You’re not going to go down.
In Tae Kwon-Do, we constantly train so that your body and mind never forget how to react and respond correctly when encountering a situation.
There is no better self-defense than that.
Master Gorino’s Tae Kwon-Do offers a trial program for individuals and families in Buffalo, NY and the surrounding areas that allows you to get a feel for the different classes, meet our instructors, and experience our dojang. It’s a great way to see if Tae Kwon-Do is right for you. To learn more or to sign up, register online or call (716) 836-KICK (5425) and a member of our team will follow up with you on next steps. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals. Pil-Sung!
