Self-defense: No Formula Written in Stone

Sunday, August 31, 2008, we entered into our third session in Waya-an Self-defense. It was attended by the older students. We were greatly impressed by how fast the students were internalizing the lessons. 

From the start we were always reminding them that there will be no particular techniques to memorize and it will be all up to each individuals' strength and preference. Indeed, one student was devastating with her straight thrust palm-heel strike and another was proficient with her elbows.

Bihan Agni, the nun who has been training with us from day one, showed remarkable "unos" qualities. A few more drills simulating multiple attackers and knife awareness and she will be ready for the combatives phase of Waya-an.

We are impressed that in three sessions the older students have grasped the core lesson of Waya-an. Supposedly at least seven sessions are needed for them to reach a functional level. With these development, it is highly probable they can graduate from the self-defense course by December of this year.

What made them impressive is their innate understanding that there is no formula to it. That it is all about ferocity and aggression and the "will" to survive the improbable odds. Perhaps we the instructors are the ones who need to train under them and find out what gives them such "spirit".

I am excited to go into the fourth session. We have lined-up ground-work drills and a review of countering multiple attackers. I am very sure we will have surprises again.