It Wasn't the Martial Performance Itself ...
My wife and I were watching a street performer in downtown Eugene, Oregon. This guy spun two staves (bos) that had flaming torch wicks on each end of each staff.
Very impressive.
He caught them time after time behind his back. He wasn't professing to be a martial artist -- just a juggler. Yet his paraphernalia consisted of mostly martial arts props.
About five minutes into his routine, a friend who was with us, pointed behind the performer and up about thirty feet.
There was a balcony on the building immediately behind him. The terrace was crammed with people watching his performance.
It took our friend a little over five minutes to notice the crowd.
My wife, Kate, and I had the people above 'picked out' instantly. Without communicating to each other, both of us had scanned the balcony, as soon as we arrived.
Not to brag, but this is normal for us, as seasoned martial artists. It's not that we are paranoid; we are aware.
No Excuses for This Type of Unawareness
Did you know that only about 1% of the population looks up when entering a new situation?
We could get nit-picky and talk epicanthal folds of the eyes, brow ridges on the foreheads, and different peripheral ranges according to race. We could, but none of that is important. They shouldn't be used as rationalizations.
No excuses allowed -- unless, for some reason, you have a limited range of motion with your head.
Don't be one of the unaware masses out there....
A Practical Martial-Arts Tip for You
All you have to do is look up, whenever you enter a new situation.
Walking outside the door? Look up in the air.
Coming into a room? Look up.
Entering a restaurant? [You get the idea.]
Don't just scan the perimeter of the room. Glance upward as well.
It doesn't have to be much -- just include it in your plan of being an aware martial artist, OK?
This one little action really could save your life. Also, it will separate you from the 'ordinary' martial artists out there....
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What would you do if someone tried to attack you with an elbow strike?
Download my Free ebook on how to counter anyone who tries to elbow strike you. Become aware of the elbow strike -- instantly counter it, and follow up with a painful strike to a pressure point ... or three!
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Keith Pascal has been a full-time martial-arts writer for eight years and a martial-arts teacher for 25 years.
Source: www.articlecity.com
