[Scronan]

Hi Cloudy

Very glad to hear you are safe and sound!! [img]smile.gif[/img]

As a student of many martial arts systems I wanted to comment on your post. You did really well, the most important part is that you kept your cool, easier said than done.

Self defence classes are great, but even then many have limitations. The most imporant part is that you train your awareness, which we are all are born with, and some learn faster than others.

One of my best kung fu teachers used to talk about the mindset we adopt that makes us a victim or a survivor. He had said to act neither timid or brave, and his words rang true since had been in many real life fights and had lived to tell his stories. He said the key is neutrality...you don't appear to be ready to fight but also your not giving away any of your space to others. From this neautral point, anything that the situations calls for, be it fight or flight can come.

A lot of people study martial arts and never learn this deep awareness, or practice where their school has put many limitations on the training. I'm not advocating full contact death matches, but I've seen many people who can do flying kicks or break boards and bricks, but would get annilated in a real fight.

Being in the wrong place at the wrong time can get ANYONE, even the greatest martial artist in the world if their numbers up.

Just look, listen and feel with your higher senses, there's a lot out there to experience when you do. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Again, I'm very glad you are safe......

Best,

Scronan