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Training in the Martial Arts
I never had a bad day of practice

Damian Ross
The Self Defense Company

I always look for answers and guidance. One of the driving questions as to why we do this is one I always shrugged off as “Because it’s there”. This article is inspired by Will Becher (who gave me the title without knowing it) and Roger Jones (who’s last Email set my thoughts in motion) and lastly a movie from the 80’s called “The Art of Killing”. Which, despite its title, is an excellent documentary on modern Japanese Budo; Specifically Kendo, Karatedo, Aikido and Judo.

As long as I can remember, I never had a “bad” day of practice. Sure there were some that felt better than others. Or times during practice I felt like,”Maybe I should have stayed home on the couch”. But afterwards I ALWAYS knew I was better off than when I began. No matter how bad my performance, no matter if I couldn’t put 2 and 2 together- I never felt that it was a waster of time. This is kind of remarkable when you consider the amount of time we waste doing a lot of other things.

I’ve wasted time at work, driving, watching T.V., waiting on line, doing work around the house (meaning, doing tasks that later proved a waste of time- just in case my wife reads this). But there are 3 places I never waste time: With my family, with my friends and on the mat.

That’s pretty remarkable when you think about it. Think about this, since the age of 7 I have been someplace 3 to 6 times a week. There was a period of about 8 total months I didn’t do anything, so will round it up to 12 months and round the amount of times down to 2 times per week for 30 years. 2 times per week for a year comes to 104 practices per year. 104 practices X 30 years = 3,120 practices or work outs. And that’s on the low side; it’s probably more like 5,000.

Out of the thousands of times I have been thrown, hit, choked and ran, lifted, sprinted up stairs across fields, on roads in the wood, out of all those time I NEVER felt worse off than when I started (even when I got hurt or injured).

People ask you why you train. People think you are CRAZY for taking the bumps, bruises, injury, making weight or giving up a week end or a few evenings.

So why do you do it? Why do you leave home to go to the dojo?

Did you ever notice that after a class you feel a little bit better? Or after a particularly hard work out, you felt exhilarated? And when you go home, things look a little brighter. Problems don’t seem so grave. Life is just a little better.

It’s through denial or absence that we truly appreciate what matters most. When I’m away from my family or friends, it only makes me appreciate them that much more. Now, I’m not saying join the Peace Corps but, simply put, food tastes better when you’re hungry.

A little denial, a little bit of taking the road less traveled will pay off exponentially in your personal life.

So what makes this type of training so special? Unlike mountain biking or marathon running, which can be extremely difficult and trying, bushido forces you to look at your own mortality. We train a lot on matters of violence. But we are not focused on the act of killing but rather than living. We focus on survival and protecting our loved ones. We focus on our love of life and the need to protect one another, not the destruction. By examining death, you discover life.

The Samurai had to come to terms with the fact, that at any moment, their lives would be over. They knew that life is not permanent and things can not be taken for granted. Since they believed life was short and at any moment it would end; they developed an appreciation of nature and beauty. Every breath, every moment was not to be wasted.

Denial makes you appreciate the things you take for granted just a little bit more. Making weight, let’s you appreciate infinite dining choices a little more. Traveling away from home makes you appreciate being there a little bit more. Going to train a few days a week, makes you appreciate your time off just a little more meaningful.

I used to think that some day I would get over this. And at one time, I actually tried to stop. But, it didn’t last. I couldn’t stand myself and the way I acted. I was more self absorbed, less patient and less understanding.

The thing each of you has to discover for themselves is how do I achieve balance? This is a personal journey that you all have to work on and it’s constantly changing and shifting. Some days you can do more than others, so you must take advantage of it “Carpe Diem” or “seize the day!” If you seize the day with your training, this will allow you to “Seize the day” with your family, friends and work.

It’s like, you have a wolf inside you and that wolf needs food. And every time you train, every time you practice, you feed the wolf. And when the wolf eats, it sleeps. If the wolf is fed, it’s happy.

But when the wolf isn’t fed, it gets up and starts pacing. The hungrier it gets, the more it paces. It paces and paces until it starts coming closer to the door. With every moment it’s not fed, it gets bolder and more desperate. And so do your actions. You get angry easier, more irritated, less understanding, more combative.

I never have a bad day of practice because after every practice I know it makes me a little more understanding, a little more patient, a little better husband, father and friend.




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The Eight Simple Rules
of Self Defense
  1. Always trust your instinct.
  2. Never trust your assailant.
  3. Assume your assailant will be larger and stronger than you.
  4. Assume your assailant will be armed.
  5. Assume your assailant will have accomplices.
  6. Assume your assailant is determined and campanile
  7. Assume you will be distracted or injured and appear to be a good target of opportunity.
  8. Assume you will be in the worst possible environment.
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Martial Arts and Self Defense Product Testimonials

“The Best Self Defense Training I’ve Ever Seen!”

Hi Damian,
I recently received module 1 from the "The Self Defense Training System". To date I would say that the material I received is the best that I have purchased or even seen!  Everything about the product/module is "First Class", product presentation, training content, and the instruction from yourself.  "It definitely is first class"!
How many products are their out there, where firstly you watch a Instructional DVD, you then go onto watch the Practice and Drills DVD and then you are provided with a Training manual that takes you by the hand and shows/tells you how to practice and how to train the drills.  "It could not be any easier". 
"Great work to you and all those involved in this project Damian".  I can not wait until I receive module 2!
Kind Regards and Thank You, 
Andrew Hannah, Northern Ireland, UK.


“BJJ Fighter Finds He Can Still Train Injured”

The Self Defense Training System is great and it's especially timely for me. I've been training BJJ for almost 10 years and I've got a sports hernia that has kept me from any rolling since November. Since I received the SDTS, I've been able to train with your materials even with the injury. I especially like the "how to train" aspect of it.
Best of luck with the program, I'm looking forward to the rest of it.
James Nesbitt, Detroit, MI


“Something EVERY Martial Artist Should Know”

I've been watching all night and am on the 3rd cd. I think it's great! It's something every martial artist would feel stupid for not knowing and what others would think is genius.
 I've kind of got to think hard on this, I'm definitely going to keep training. I can’t wait to get to the weapons modules. Thanks for sending the test drive!
Micayla Presley
Deer Park, Montana



"Citizen Puts The Local Crack Dealers In Their Place!"

Dear Damian,
I live a hard life. I watch when I wait for the bus, especially because it is a crack dealer corner.  Last month, two crack dealers, upset at my presence, passed me front to back, and I went into full combat mode!!
One of the dealers then fronted me and mumbled something to my face while I heard the other approach me from the back. I moved instinctively and convulsively as the two men rushed together into the space I made for them.
As I turned to “finish the job” They took one look at me, looked at each other and made tracks! Thanks for sharing your hard earned knowledge.
You are the most realistic fighting teacher on the net.

Sincerely,
Mark Young
Roofer, USA


"University Student Finds Her Inner Power!"

Dear Damian,
Kudos from Canada! I really like the Self Defense Training System. The demonstrations are practical, can be done and are easy to learn. When you demonstrate power it teaches me how to be powerful.

Thank You, Thank You Thank You!
Lisa Holleran,
Ontario, Canada



“Finally a Direct and Honest Approach To Self Defense Training”

Damian,
I wanted to thank you for the excellent information you are sharing in The Self Defense Training System. I had ordered another close combat training course recently and I can honestly say that I learned more from Module 1 “Essential Self Defense” than I did from the entire package of fluff I received from the other company!
Your teaching style is direct, honest and you don't hold back from giving the students more than their monies worth. I compliment you on your ability to take information and break it down into digestible bites that can be learned quickly and easily.
Keep up the good work and again, thank you.
Walter R. Heinze, Arizona

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