Three Golden Words for Defending

The Three Golden Words for proventing and defending ourselves.



Is fair to say that we all have our own ideas for how best to defend ourselves. Furthermore we all have some natural skill's to defend or to attack. But by practicing karate (martial arts) the aim is to learn new skills and enhance those that we have already.

There are moments when we think that learning to and using force is the best answer. 

Sadly! Sometimes this can be true. 

But for the majority of times, this is not true and a different approach is needed. 
 
In my experience, defending defending is not only based on how strong (although strength is an ingredient) we are, it is much more based on how smart we are and the way you combine the two together. 

Through training and real life events, (especially during the 13 years in the security industry) I have come to understand that to defend requires more than just kicking, punching, being strong and brave.

Let's just stop for a second and imagine if you have to fight everyone that tells you something you don't like! 

Where would you end up? I'll let you answer this one to your imagination...

So to defend ourselves there is a need to have a combination of skills and somehow those three words keep coming up again and again. 

Conduct ⟩  Patience ⟩  Awareness  

Starting with Conduct…

The manner in which we behave, (present) ourselves in the situation and in general is so important to our defensive system.
Especially in particular places or situations, this can have a great impact on self-defence. 

Let's talk and think about confidence, the way we present it to others. 

Too much confidence or no confidence both can attract the wrong people and be a problem.

We must learn how to use confidence to our advantage, knowing when to reduce and increase, in accordance with the situation (in other words adapting in the moment).

We should show confidence YES but NOT arrogance

Through training we must develop a natural and positive character that will help keep us from being an easy target, and (hopefully) the aura we radiate lets the world know we're not one to be messed with…

To be patience.


Patience is very much missed in today's society. People lose it very quickly, often saying the last words first.

This can be for many reasons, including being impatient.
Some of us think that, whatever it's, will be resolved by expressing anger, and in some cases getting very violent.

But - of course it only escalates the issue further.

We must remember that to be patient can mean surviving another day and resolving the problem for both, ourselves and the aggressor. 

For those of us who practice karate (martial arts) patience is a must have and master in training.

Practicing karate involves both mental and physical skills. We must learn to not get angry or upset easily, and if we do lose patience? We must have self-control. 

Otherwise, we are just like everyone else and we have not trained well or honored our training at all.  

To be Aware.


Master Funakoshi Gichin. 
The father of Karate stated on his twenty precepts of Karate-do that - Trouble is Born of Negligence. 

First we must be more aware of our own actions, than others and then the following: 
•  surrounding 
•  with whom you're surrounded 
•  who's that you're getting into trouble with
•  is one, two or more of them
•  is there any weapons of any kind
•  is there a way to escape or not
and so on…

Think about it!  
All this is important information and by knowing and understanding we then can be better prepared to defend ourselves (fight) or walk away altogether and so on...

Let's talk about: 
With whom you're surrounded.

Often we get in trouble because our friends or others push us to do wrong for their own needs. 

This is true especially those at a younger age.

We must be aware and learn to distinguish the right from wrong very quickly and not let others use or influence us to do the wrong thing. Because we practice Karate. 

(Remember, a good friend will never encourage you to fight. Will always pull you away. And will only fight with you, when there is no other option)

Finally in this part.


Those three words bring out many other words. Just like a tree 🌲 spreading out the roots to strengthen and grow. The words will not be of any use if the student doesn't try to understand the meaning and see the positive side.   

For me these three words are the golden and the base to prevent getting into trouble in the first place. 

Preventing for me is Defending


However, we must not be naive and keep in mind that nothing works 100%. But at least be the first ONE to do the right thing. If before you got it wrong - 7 out of 10 - reverse it, and you're on the right track. 

Ultimately, we all have the right to defend ourselves with other means, within the law of the land. 

I hope you get the picture ðŸ™‚

Thanks for visiting 
Ylli Sensei 

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