Whenever I mention the world ‘arousal’ in our training we inevitably get lots of smirks and sniggers because it’s a term that most ‘normal’ people only associate with sexual activity, but understanding arousal is very important to the Martial Arts practitioner.  The terms that Instructors tend to use are too blunt, they talk about ‘adrenaline dump’, ‘anger’ ‘aggression’ and ‘freezing’ when it’s far more complex than that.

Arousal can be trained at many different levels and can make a considerable difference to performance under stress and the learning environment.  Wikipedia explains arousal as:

“Arousal is a physiological and psychological state of being awake or reactive to stimuli. It involves the activation of the reticular activating system in the brain stem, the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system, leading to increased heart rate and blood pressure and a condition of sensory alertness, mobility and readiness to respond.

There are many different neural systems involved in what is collectively known as the arousal system. Four major systems originating in the brainstem, with connections extending throughout the cortex, are based on the brain’s neurotransmitters, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. When these systems are in action, the receiving neural areas become sensitive and responsive to incoming signals.”

Sometimes those ‘special’ sessions just seem happen spontaneously, more so with the senior classes..

Sweat was running down the walls, everyone moved as one and the communal spirit was that of determination. This felt like a club in the true sense of the word, our mentor was giving the call and we moved in harmony to it.  The senior class had all trained together for a minimum of 5 years and some as many as 30.  We knew each other better than our own families; we had struggled, sweat and bled together in the cause of self improvement for an age.

Sensei could feel the camaraderie between us and used it, although his body aged, the resonance in his soul could be heard in the timbre of his voice.  He knew the inhabitant of every gi here better than we knew ourselves.  He had worked with each of us individually through the various stages of our development and had therefore developed a personal relationship with each of us, put together in the class it was like one magical entity had evolved and responded to the voice of the mentor.

“C’mon guys, get in to your legs, soften to access the muscles and get it right down into the feet then loosen to drive it up from the feet, manipulate it from the waist, vibrate the hips and link it to the wrists to expel the energy through the hands….  That’s better, now focus your intention, use your peripheral vision…  perceive rather than look…. Make your eyes ‘sticky’ to detect everything that moves or has intention and allow the brain to process it naturally…..   good….. keep it going…”

In Martial Arts we talk about developing the student ‘holistically’ or developing the ‘whole person’.  What does this mean?

Some schools say that the sole purpose of training in the Martial Arts is to learn to fight and the rest is just ‘fluff’ and extraneous, but is a ‘fighter’ a Martial Artist?

Most people don’t come to the Martial Arts to learn to ‘fight’, 99% of the phone calls we take are from prospective students who want to be fit and healthy and to be able to defend themselves.  These two purposes are not mutually exclusive and there is a fundamental difference between ‘fighting’ and ‘self-defence’.

First of all, what’s most likely to kill you?  It’s not the street mugger or bully, your own health is most likely to bring you to an early demise, therefore the first rule of self-defence is – look after your health!  This means that the ‘medical’ or ‘health’ aspect of training takes priority. 

If you work on your posture, breathing and mental condition and then exercise sensibly you are likely to stave off the biggest threat to your existence.  To then prevent a lot of trouble in your life you need to work on your ‘emotional intelligence’.

Simon was 13 years old and usually an enthusiastic and happy member of the adult class.  Tonight he really did seem ‘off his game’ – he was quiet and messing up his timing and distance by blinking and seemingly scared of being hit.  Sensei noticed this and followed him down to the changing rooms.  Simon was sitting staring into space.

“You alright Simon?” asked Sensei 

“Yeah… sure…” said Simon in an uncertain tone.

“What’s up mate, it’s unlike you to be off your game like this?” pressed Sensei.

“Just an off day I guess,” said Simon.

“C’mon mate, open up, you can’t hide anything in here, your emotions always show up in your movements, anything I can help you with?  This is my job you know, take advantage and talk.”

“It’s these kids at school… they just won’t leave things alone..”  Simon looked empty and dejected.