At Evergreen Martial Arts, we pursue dual goals. Initially, the focus is on the acquisition of skills to protect ourselves, physically and behaviorally. However, once this base level is installed, further development of these skills can become a vehicle for improvement of oneself.
There is a strange paradox about becoming less aggressive by learning to fight that is often discussed in martial arts circles. Essentially, it is explained that by learning to protect ourselves and our loved ones, we are less afraid. Social aggression can be caused by fear, so consequently, as we are less afraid, we are less violent.
Beyond this intermediate level, a deeper exploration of who we are is possible. With fundamental skills in hand, more difficult and threatening situations and scenarios can be explored. For self defense skills, we begin with weapons, as that is typically how humans fight; we are tool users. Training with weapons also can dramatically increase the speed of reflexes, as sticks simply move so much faster than hands and feet.
Weapons also then give us the opportunity to explore the possible and much more difficult situation of multiple attackers. Sparring scenarios with multiple attackers (using training weapons) is a superb challenge for the advanced student. It forces the need for advanced spatial awareness to avoid being cornered and blindsided. Additionally, the speed the student must move at is multiplied by the number of attackers.
A more advanced study is a system of physical conditioning known loosely as chikung. Similar to yoga, but applied specifically to martial arts, chikung works with how the body handles force incoming and outgoing. This is with the express intent of significantly increasing the amount of power our bodies can generate. For the experienced martial artist, this is also an opportunity to work through healing injuries that have been incurred over time.