| Street self defense moves are designed to be | | | | Street self defense moves are practical and |
| short, sharp and effective. There are no | | | | effective. There is a crucial mindset to learn - it's |
| complicated stylish techniques as with many | | | | not about ego or winning it's about surviving! If |
| martial arts. Street self defense moves are easy | | | | you can get out of there you should. If you can |
| to learn, don't need great strength to apply them | | | | avoid the situation in the first place you must. But |
| and are all about survival. | | | | if all else fails you have moves you can fall back |
| I remember the first time I visited an aikido dojo | | | | on which are instinctive and will work even when |
| - I watched from the side of the mats and was | | | | fear grips you. |
| in awe and admiration at the grace of the flowing | | | | The issue with most traditional martial arts moves |
| techniques and breakfalls. But would those moves | | | | is the complexity of execution and the amount of |
| work in a real street fight? After ten years | | | | practise required to 'perfect' them - if you ever |
| studying aikido I have developed reasonable skill in | | | | can! For example, the irime nage techniques in |
| the art but if ever faced with a real violent | | | | aikido are incredible when executed well. The will |
| confrontation I know I would rely more on street | | | | take your attacker the floor as if they are hit by |
| self defense moves. | | | | a locomotive train! But to get the timing of the |
| Martial arts like krav maga and the Russian | | | | move right, the balance and motion required, is |
| System are more direct and designed for the | | | | not something anyone can learn in a few months. |
| modern day world. This is part of the problem | | | | I have been on the receiving end of irime nage |
| with many traditional combat systems - they | | | | many times and when it's delivered by someone |
| base their defense and counter attack on things | | | | with experience you instinctively feel it and there |
| which rarely happen in street fights. | | | | is no resiting the technique. |