A woman alone

[Van Canna]

From the Italian Martial arts newsgroup__

A lady named DRUSIANA:

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>1] As to a woman, the difference is not in the traditional Martial art or modern fighting systems, and not in the woman’s character, as it has been shown that all women react more or less the same in the face of impending rape.

It is in the type of aggression which is not only physical with intent to take something material.

Carnal violence or its attempt, can block the response of the most: “warring” woman
because the feeling of being personally violated, the realization that someone wants to take from her something so deeply personal, together with the terror of being killed, will precipitate a state of shock, a total denial and oblivion of what is happening.

The idea that someone wants to hurt you to that extent, will block your ability to react as you ask yourself
“Why”?

This is what a woman feels before sexual violence as opposed to a holdup for money
And jewels, for example.

It is the terrible sentiment of being raped physically and morally, that perception that from that point on out, things in the woman’s life will never be as before, that renders the woman fragile and impotent, and at times, incapable of even scream for help.

And thus, faced with this horror, often the woman will freeze, in denial, and without the strength to respond, react, to what is happening.

2] As many have discussed previously, the ability to react in stress or sudden panic situations,
Have roots that go much deeper than the simple physical-mental conditioning we obtain by our routine MA practice.

In situations of fear and pain, we receive a jolt to our ego and we immediately re-dive, plunge, in a previous situation where we were smaller, younger, untrained, and we were hurt; and from there even regressing further to a point in our lives reliving events when we felt alone and vulnerable in “that or the other” occasion.

This as per transitional and cognitive psychology!

It continues: __ unfortunately it is difficult at times to get a handle on our true strength of character, or of ancestral fears we carry as baggage from generation to generation! __

3] In the end, no-one can say that they will find the “ultimate defense” miracle in the practice of martial arts, because the “martial arts” must of necessity “work” on grounds already cultivated by our experiences, our genetic make up and life experiences!

4] Do not rock in our illusions of great “martial prowess”, lets not consider only the Shaolin monks [more fictitious than real], or traditional precepts belonging to exotic cultures, but lets look around, often a farm hand with only a stick of wood in his hands could have much to teach each of us as to true grit.

5] Every MA teacher should be honest, first with himself, when he teaches [sells] something upon which the lives of others may well depend. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Drusiana is a martial artist extraordinaire.

[Jackie Olsen]

Thanks, Van,

She certainly expresses the vulnerability that many of us feel (have felt), but may be too ashamed to admit that despite all our training, our aggressiveness we may:

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote

In situations of fear and pain, we receive a jolt to our ego and we immediately re-dive, plunge, in a previous situation where we were smaller, younger, untrained, and we were hurt; and from there even regressing further to a point in our lives reliving events when we felt alone and vulnerable ...

It's a long road back when you've been in that situation.

Jackie

[This message has been edited by Jackie Olsen (edited February 07, 2002).]

[Van Canna]

Hi Jackie,

Good to see you again. You have spoken of your past [ hinted]...before in these pages, and I admire your courage.

Hope all is well with you.


------------------
Van Canna

[Jackie Olsen]

Hi Van... thanks, I feel that I'm slowly turning the corner after the past 2-1/2 years -- physically as well as emotionally -- still have all my marbles and my spirit intact, :}

Hard for me to cyberchat the unspeakable -- most of what happened to me put me into major blame & shame big time. As a martial artist ... how could I have not seen the violence coming? Drusiana's article spoke to much of what I felt.

Illness, soul searching, unable to work out for many months ... my Mom's death a year ago, a long-term relationship gone awry .. and My sister's sudden death a month ago hit home and helped put much of what is important to me and who I am in perspective.

Every death does give new life -- I'm due for a major rebirth.

Jackie