The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.


“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated.” - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources


“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne

What are Fundamental Principles?

The fundamental principles of martial disciplines or karate disciplines or fighting disciplines are those principles underlying all physical activities be they fighting, sport competitions, combatives or self-defense. Principles are those things that make them work regardless of styles or systems. The blog will be about those principles as they apply to my studies, practices and experiences as a karate-ka.


My list of principles as discussed in this blog originate from the fine publication written by Steven J. Pearlman, “The Book of Martial Power.” I have added two new categories, principles, to this list and I have modified his original principles and sub-principles to better suit my perceptions, perspectives and distinctions regarding karate and self-defense. Nothing I have created or changed, none of my perceptions, etc., herein are from Mr. Pearlman, his work was the inspiration toward this end.


I firmly believe principles are the substance that makes karate and martial arts work. In reality, they span all forms of physical activity regardless. My focus with this blog will be karate and self-defense. Take these posts as an academic form of writing and take note of the associated caveat and bibliography that will be present in each post.


Enjoy and don’t hesitate to join the followers and don’t hesitate to make comments, suggestions or present your views in any subject.

PRINCIPLE ONE: PRINCIPLES OF THEORY (Universality, Control, Efficiency, Lengthen Our Line, Percentage Principle, Std of Infinite Measure, Power Paradox, Ratio, Simplicity, Natural Action, Michelangelo Principle, Reciprocity, Opponents as Illusions, Reflexive Action, Training Truth, Imperception and Deception.)


PRINCIPLE TWO: PHYSIOKINETIC PRINCIPLES (Breathing, posture, triangle guard, centerline, primary gate, spinal alignment, axis, minor axis, structure, heaviness, relaxation, wave energy, convergence, centeredness, triangulation point, the dynamic sphere, body-mind, void, centripetal force, centrifugal force, sequential locking and sequential relaxation, peripheral vision, tactile sensitivity, rooting, attack hubs, attack posture, possibly the chemical cocktail, Multiple Methodologies [actual tactics and attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc. are best for stopping a threat]???see below)


PRINCIPLE THREE: PRINCIPLES OF TECHNIQUE (techniques vs. technique, equal rights, compliment, economical motion, active movement, positioning, angling, leading control, complex force, indirect pressure, live energy and dead energy, torsion and pinning, speed, timing, rhythm, balance, reactive control, natural and unnatural motion, weak link, non-telegraphing, extension and penetration, Uke. Multiple Methodologies [actual tactics and attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc. are best for stopping a threat])


PRINCIPLE FOUR: PRINCIPLES OF PHILOSOPHY (Mind [mind-set, mind-state, etc.], mushin, kime, non-intention, yin-yang, oneness, zanshin and being, non-action, character, the empty cup.)


Principle’s One through Four:

Pearlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power." Overlook Press. N.Y. 2006.


PRINCIPLE FIVE: PRINCIPLES OF SELF-DEFENSE (“Conflict communications; Emotional Intelligence; Lines/square/circle of SD, Three brains (human, monkey, lizard), JAM/AOJ and five stages, Adrenal stress (stress induced reality based), Violence (Social and Asocial), Pre-Attack indicators, Weapons, Predator process and predator resource, Force levels, Repercussions (medical, legal, civil, personal), Go-NoGo, Win-Loss Ratio, etc. (still working on the core sub-principles for this one)”Attitude, Socio-emotional, Diplomacy, Speed [get-er done fast], Redirected aggression, Dual Time Clocks, Awareness, Initiative, Permission, multiple attack/defense methodologies (i.e., actual tactics and attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc. are best for stopping a threat)


Principle Five:

MacYoung, Marc. "In the Name of Self-Defense: What It Costs. When It’s Worth It." Marc MacYoung. 2014.

Goleman, Daniel. "Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition [Kindle Edition]." Bantam. January 11, 2012.

Miller, Rory. "ConCom: Conflict Communications A New Paradigm in Conscious Communication." Amazon Digital Services, Inc. 2014.

Miller, Rory and Kane, Lawrence A. "Scaling Force: Dynamic Decision-making under Threat of Violence." YMAA Publisher. New Hampshire. 2012

Miller, Rory. "Force Decisions: A Citizen's Guide." YMAA Publications. NH. 2012.

Miller, Rory Sgt. "Meditations of Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence" YMAA Publishing. 2008.

Miller, Rory Sgt. "Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected." YMAA Publishing. 2011.

Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1993.

Morris, Desmond. “Manwatching: A Field Guide to Human Behavior.” Harry N. Abrams. April 1979.


PRINCIPLE SIX: CHEMICAL COCKTAIL: (Attacked Mind, Train It, Breath It Away, Visualize It Away, Sparring vs. Fighting, Degradation of Technique/skills, Peripheral Vision Loss, Tunnel Vision, Depth Perception Loss/Altered, Auditory Exclusion, Weakened legs/arms, Loss of Extremity Feeling, Loss of Fine Motor Skills, Distorted Memory/perceptions, Tachypsychia (time slows), Freeze, Perception of Slow Motion, Irrelevant Thought Intrusion, Behavioral Looping, Pain Blocked, Male vs. Female Adrenaline Curve, Victim vs. Predator, The Professional, Levels of Hormonal Stimulation, ???)

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Saturday, April 2, 2016

TECHNIQUE; SUB-PRINCIPLE: Torsion and Pinning

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

This particular sub-principle upon further consideration seems inappropriate for a fundamental principle of martial systems. Too many aspects described in the original texts seem contradictory when relating to other principles such as the description of grabbing techniques with an assumption that performing such techniques takes away from efficiency in other principles such as the mind-body whereby the grab is said to also grab the mind and focus it in that location. Where this seems contradictory is when the author used torsion and pinning as a model that does not grab the mind when in reality all applied techniques have the tendency to lock the mind on that technique or set of techniques, i.e., using combinations. 

In addition it should be explained that all methodologies at one level or another require a certain amount of tension. One reason I advocate calling it positive relaxation vs. simply relaxation but the true nature of applied principles is the reduction of as much energy consumption through things like tension is our ultimate goal in this instance. 

Almost all applied methodologies be they grabbing, torsion or pinning actions require some use of other or all parts of the body. This is especially true if one wants the mind-body to move all movement from the center of the body, centeredness. To truly control tension and other aspects of principle applications a karate-ka and martial artists must control the mind, like taking a mushin and zanshin state of mind, by focusing the mind on the center and train so that the lizard brain (procedural memory) runs the physical applications of self-defense. 

Depending on applied methodologies our bodies will use other body parts such as the upper torso (note the torso also effects the waist and shoulder girdles as well as the spine), shoulders, and neck, etc.

I would then advocate without reservation the abilities to grab in appropriate situations along with utilizing the ability to use torsion and pinning also as appropriate in self-defense martial arts. 

Bibliography (Click the link)


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