I was wondering how you as a martial artist control your anger/rage?

Example 1: Some little twerp just keeps picking and pushing you to a breaking point. You have warned him both with body language as well as verbally. He is really getting on that last nerve. What and how do you control yourself?


Example 2: Some punk is running off at the mouth and kinda does the old chest/shoulder flinch as if he is attacking. What do you do? If you are already stressed and this happens how do you stop yourself short of really hurting that person?

I await your thoughts,


Kent

Example 1:

I don't usually warn people. I find it more fun that way. I've been accused, by my friends, of using my education in psychology for less than noble purposes. Typically if I'm confronted with someone who can't stop running their mouth and they're targeting me or someone I'm out with, then I might start asking questions or making assumptions about their past. I stay calm and talk in a normal, very matter of fact tone, but I dig deep. For example, a turd is being verbally abusive, trying to intimidate but not actually physically starting anything, I might ask him how his childhood was. I'll ask if he had any friends. Probably ask if his parents loved him. Ask if this antisocial behavior is a product of a childhood that left him feeling like he was worthless, so he has to try and belittle other people. It doesn't matter if the person is exhibiting antisocial behavior or not, it gets a reaction.

Contrary to what most may think, this hasn't led to fight yet. Maybe they think I'm the crazy one, I don't know. But when a laugh or two comes from the group, or others in the group feed off of the questions and start turning the table, the situation typically goes away. Maybe they've gone home and cried themselves to sleep. Who knows.

Some may find this method not very nice. I say a little mind game never truly hurt anyone. Except for the guy in the cell next to Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs. Poor bastard.

Example 2:

This kinda depends on where the person is. If they have breeched my personal space zone, then that flinch will probably get them hit. One thing to remember is you don't have to seriously injure someone, so you don't end up on the wrong side of the law. You can simply shut them down in a manner that helps them realize that things could have gone terribly bad.

In a situation where someone is getting closer to you, remember the night Sifu was talking about having your hands up in a non-defensive manner, as if to say, "Hey, buddy, I don't want any trouble." If they touch your hands, grabbing or just walking into, then you do what comes naturally in the presence of a perceived threat.

Just my thoughts on this. I look forward to reading others.

LOL J/K

Here is my take overall on both situations. How are you in the situation in the first place? Always ask yourself, "what can I do differently to eliminate myself from this equation?"

Body language is the one that is picked up on a universal level. It would be better to keep a natural body posture when talking to people like these (if you have to that is) and remind them that it only takes a second to turn a normal conversation into a trip to the hospital.

depending on the surroundings and how many would or could be invoved people would dictate my actions.(especially when one or more could brandish a weapon).a current stat,i heard is that 87% of assaults commited have some form of weapon involved(mostly knives)..i know that in most silat systems and kali we have an 18 inch rule,which is usually a step and a half on a normale sized man..any action not taken within that step and half, and your reaction will typically be slower than opponents action..and iam guessing that sifu davis could steal that step and half in time and space and hit you before you could react...now put a blade in his hand.that is why iam so intersted in the highly mobile footwork and explosive punches of this system,then add broken rythmn and timing to boot! what do you think sifu lamar???????-billyg