Kyusho The Art of Striking Hand

Kyusho Aiki Jutsu Int’l -- vol. 2 - 2012

What is the value of pressure points for self-defense techniques?

The principles of our method and techniques with pressure points allows you to develop a humane self-defense skills. Pressure point techniques are not based on the physical strength of usage of force, which is why their use allows the controlled use of strength wtihin self-defense situation and yet effective techniques.

Stopping the attacker and / or incapacitate, can be done with the pressure point techniques without inflicting physical harm. Self-defense situation, the aim should be to end the situation quickly, and getting away from it without the excessive use of force. Even self-defense laws requires, in many countries, that the attacker is not harmed without decent reason, and that the amount of force used must be suitable to the situation. In many scenarios, such as a kick in the groin and blow to the face or breaking a joint with excessive use of force, either intentionally or accidentally, may result in legal action agaist the defender themselves.

Let us consider in more detail the pressure (nerve) points as part of the application of techniques (Kyusho). Tuite is a key component in this part of the article as well, because the use of the pressure points is one of the core principles in the Art of Grabbing hand as well in the Art of Striking hand.

This article is second part of

the three article serie, which

was published in Kamppalija-

magazine 2012. All these

articles have been writen in

co-operation with Kyusho Aiki

Jutsu instructors Janne

Tähtinen, Kai Arola and

Santeri Aura. Also some

students were helping in

photoshoot. Pictures by

Marko Simonen – check

www.markosimonen.com

About

???

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”How to use pressure points?”

Paralyzing or controlling the attacker does not require

physical strength.

During the usage of pressure points an attacker paralyzing or controlling is not based on the use of force, but unbalancing the body, and sending controversial commands to opponents body, this inconsistent data will lead to decreased level of consciousness (this will be discussed more, later in this article)

How to use pressure points? Kyusho points, or nerve points (are named after acupuncture point names, for example, TW-11, triple warmer/warner #11) are the areas of the human body, which can provide to the body a certain "command" or to produce the certain desired reaction. These targets can be used to cause nerve pain, unbalance opponents body or for example, trigger the reflex. By using these areas we can attack to the weaknesses of the opponent's body and / or weaken the body's strengths.

Pressure points can be activated in three different ways, which are, by the touch, massage and strike. For this reason, Kyusho and Tuité can not be looked separately from each other. Pressure point self-defense techniques are most effective in situations where the attacker is at close range of the defender.

Using several points in a appropriate way (taught in various combinations) the effect can be multiplied, when compared to usage of the individual points. Combination of techniques can cause excruciating pain, paralyze of the limbs, control your opponent's body by affecting motor functions and result in a technical or a full knockout (TKO / KO, even more proper way is talk of the instant sleep). Using the combinations of the points, allows to use extremely little force.

Kyushocombinations

Activation of the Pressure Points, the use and combining them in applications will require a lot of training from students. The main issue is the use of your body control. The use of natural motions, as well as utilization of the power of the body are the keys to truely effective use of the pressure points. Training will also teache to "read" the opponent's movements and reactions, as from that level to "find" the right follow up technique.

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”No wasted motions!”

- Jack Hogan

Grandmaster Jack Hogan (Hogan Karate International), says the words "No wasted motion" will hide one of the most biggest keys within pressure point techniques.

When developing or practicing the combinations of the pressure points, it should be noted that different points react with each other in different ways (or will cause a different effect in the attacker). The certain points have links to each other and to use the right point with right technique will revealand set-up the next point to use. The point, which is set-up will have multiplied effect if compared to a point which is not set-up for use. The links between the points can be viewed from a Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and/or Modern Western Medicine (MWM) point of view. On the other hand, use of these theories is not required on a basic level of training, only things that is required is the active training.

Chinese medicine point of view, all pressure points are located in the meridians, which are connecting lines between the points. Theory of meridians is also background of acupuncture, and it is widely used to explain the effect of pressure points in the different styles. Meridians are part of Yin and Yang concept, and two meridians are one of the five elements - fire, metal, wood, earth and water. Each meridian is always associated to a particular organ in the human body (exept the triple warmed channel). Using the pressure point activation can cause interference within the flow of meridian and in the related body organ and from that reason it will cause the weakness in the body. Using more points, will creating more problems to the energy flow. When the various points of certain elements is affected in a certain order (the order of certain element theory), they may cause unconsciousness or paralysis.

In the Modern Western Medicine (MWM), the nervous system is divided into the central nervous system and peripheral nervous systems. Parts of the central nervous system is the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes all the other nerves. The peripheral nervous system is divided into the somatic and autonomic nervous system. Somatic nervous system includes the motor nerves that controls the muscles and sensory nerves that among other things, transmit pain information, a sense of warmth and a sense of body position.

Mind the Movement!

Kyusho Aiki Jutsu Int’l

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Different levels of consciousness. Roughly it is divided into four

levels.

Most of the pressure points are located in the peripheral nervous systems, somatic region. Properly made technique to point in the motor nerve can cause pain and / or partial paralyze. When targeting to the Sensory nerve point can lead to an incredibly high pain. In addition, it can be useful to mention that the somatic nervous system has direct contacts with visceral autonomic nerves.

Several pressure point technique effects can be explained by changes in the autonomic nervous system activity. The autonomic nervous system controls blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, urination, defecation, sleep and breath. The autonomic nervous system is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, which among other functions, regulate the activity of internal organs.

The human body has also a complex reflex system, which controls and "supervises" variety of different functions. Reflexes can be used to explain part of the effects of pressure point techniques. Reflexes are automated, and can get out with right type of pressure point techniques. By activating certain reflexes, the attacker's power can be turned to help defender himself. Unconscious reflexes will take the body and / or limbs off the threat by withdrawal reflex. This reflex is designed to protect your body from injury. Another example, there are the reflectory type of reflex, which affects to the opposite limb, which is not under direct thread (crossed extensor reflex). This means that when the withdrawal reflex happens (ie. right hands finger touches the hot stove), the right hand being pulled away from the thread and the left arm is extended at the same time to balancing the movement. eowlock).

As an example this allows to make the left hand elbow lock very effective way (see ikkyo / elbowlock).

Affecting the attacker's level of consciousness (Kyusho knockout)

Kyusho to knockout or knockout by pressure point occurs by activating the three points in the human body correctly and in the proper order. This causes a certain reaction in the central nervous system, which lead to different levels of altered states of consciousness. Changes in the mode of consciousness or concrete takedowns can be achieved by brute force, such as hitting a baseball bat, or with the fist, but this is not a reaction where the pressure point techniques aimed at. By studying the structure of the human body, as well as the strengths and weaknesses by true understanding the body's anatomical structures, we can find ways to reduce the effort needed to it. By understanding how this knowledge of strengths and weaknesses, as well as the nerves can be used, we can achieve some amazing reactions without any damage to human body. The following list shows the four levels of consciousness, broken down by simple categories.

Level 4 - Normal level of consciousness

Level 3 - Body paralyze or "Technical Knock Out (TKO)". The opponent is still up standing, and the eyes may be open, but he is not able to defend himself. At this level, the body loses its ability to move for a while. Self-defense point of view, this is sufficient to effect an attacker, because it gives the opportunity to leave the area. Legal point of view, in mind, this level does not, at least, not exceed the marks of usage of excessive force.

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Level 2 - "TKO - Knock-out (KO)". This level of consciousness, the changes are easy to recognize by the fact that the opponent kick the legs out from under his or her, or the body's muscles are under strong tension. The body will lose motor control of the body temporarily. However, sometimes the eyes are still open and / or the attacker hears what is happening around. The opponent seems to be aware of time and place, but this is not necessarily always the true. This level of effects are very similar to those at level 3, but the opponent has much higher number of deficiencies in motor coordination or muscle control abilities.

Level 1 - "Knock-out (KO). This is the level which is generally classified as a knockout. At this level, after Kyusho-technique the person falls asleep and completely lose muscles motor control skills. The attacker's eyes are usually closed. This level is legally speaking a little questionable, since the attacker loses his consciousness and may get injured due the fall to the ground or even die from the impact to the ground.

These effects on consciousness is brought up by pressure point techniques, when sufficient information is sended to the central nervous system to cause certain type of disorder.

Old Masters and comprehensive training you will learn

The old masters from China, Okinawa and Japan, has left behind plenty of clues of martial arts they developed and used. When we have studied the notes of Funakoshi, Ueshiba and Kano, as well as many other well-known and respected masters, it has been noted that there is a lot of information, which is not widely spoken (or may not even be known). Because many of the old masters hide their teachings

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to the writings and series of movements (kata’s). These kata’s still includes true battle methods of the masters, other words, the techniques they used and targets they were aiming to.

When looking at the series of movements developed by the masters we should remember the basic key rules. Techniques must be useful, and should be suitable to modern threat situations. The forms (kata) has hidden information, as well as the principles of the techniques, including targets. Kata does not include blocking: or dodges, but there are techniques for activating certain parts from the attacker's body.

Each cover technique from the from is the pressure point technique. Points can be used by hitting, rubbing and touching. Kata will generally show the correct targets and the way to activate it. Since the points are activated not only by hitting, it is difficult to separate KYUSHO to its own art. As use of the Kyusho points are also the central part of the Tuité principles. When training kata, Its essential to visualize your own applications of the techniques practiced during the training.

Kata also does not contain any unnecessary movements, such as hand returning to the waist, but returning the hand is intended to activate the attackers points of to take advantage of two way action/direction principle. It is often more effective to activate two or more points at the same time by using two-hand techniques, than just depend on one point at the time.

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There are two different types of technqiues – life giving and life

ending.

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The Healing aspect

While training Kyusho Aiki Jitsu, students must also master the knowledge and skill of restoration methods. This is increasingly important, particularly through a more advanced level, where students must be cabable to restore unconscious opponent. It is also stated that when done correct kyusho technique, the person does not wake up on their own without proper restoration.

According to the views of others waking up procedures, it should happen automatically at some point. Yet, we cannot be absolutely sure, because in our studies / trainings we have not waited long for awakening from safety reasons. In practice, in the reviving process the

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opponent is awaken after a knockout and to shown to his body, that everything is all right and in order.

Restoration techniques that are incorporated in our teachnings at Kyusho Aiki Jutsu, will balance the energy in the human body in certain meridians. We teach for restore the basic methods of the treatment, but some alternative treatment methods may also be used, for example reiki or acupunture. In the end, the human body is itself the best healer, but without the external assistance to fully balance the body takes about 24-72 hours. Without the proper restoration of training partner may experience nausea and dizziness, and headaches.

Kyusho Aiki Jutsu Int’l Publication Toni Kauhanen, Hämeenlinna, Finland I am responsible all mistakes in the translation.

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