Scope of the kung fu class

The martialgym program consist of two streams – gymnastics and kung-fu. (The name of the streams are a little less than precise but it does get the general idea across for our purposes right now)

In the gymnastics stream, we teach more than just gymnastics skills. We do build base attributes like balance, flexibility, strength, power, agility, spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination for gymnastics performances as well as all kinds of different sports and fighting systems. Furthermore, they learn about safety rules, mechanics of motions, the importance of repetitions at a high level, with the goal that they can apply the same principles later.

In the kung-fu stream, we aim for those 11 and up. The participants learn how to effectively use all the tools available to them in different situations. I want to think of the classes not just as fighting instructions but in a much broader sense – a conflict resolution system where actual fight or engagement is one of the many options. The advantage of using the word “conflict” instead of “fight / kung fu” is that it frees you from thinking of just a specific solution. Furthermore, it links you to a much broader spectrum of resources that talks about conflict resolution at the office, at home, etc.

To me, there are 4 distinct phases in conflict management:

• Planning and preparation – this is now where a participant identifies possibilities and get themselves physically and mentally ready. They know where the “line is drawn” for them. This is where decision points and alternatives are built and planned.
• Detection of imminent irregularities / conflict / danger – this is where having an “early warning system” matters. You need to be able to read subtle body language, positioning of people, hidden corners, temper and emotional state of others, etc. This is where you can also choose to avoid, to re-direct / re-focus or to resolve before the conflict escalates. Understanding motives (and sometimes emotions) behind an conflict helps find the right alternatives. Knowing exactly who is behind the conflict is also important – a lot of times, the obvious aggressor may not be the real threat. Anticipate and make decision on the potential “end state”.
• Actual Engagement – conflicts can escalate quickly from yelling to verbal threats to shoveling to throwing the first punch. Do not just react because then you are always a step behind. Learn how to take options off the table for your opponent is very important.
• Consequences, aftermath and cleanup – it is important to remember that there are “no free lunches”. There is a consequence to every action (as well as non-action). Some may not be immediate but it can linger on and haunt you either because of your own guilt, legal consequences because of excessive and unjustified forces, emotional trauma that you have to work you way through, physical injuries, etc. If you are not ready to pay for your actions, don’t do it! If you know that there is a price to be paid, then you will think if certain actions are worth it – as an example, to go into a heated argument for a parking spot is not worth it in my books, to yell and scream at a stupid driver does not resolve anything either because there are so many of them…

Exercise:

• Apply the above phase definitions to something you are familiar with or that has happened in the past. Example can be: international politics, relationships, work or anything of your choice. Do you see new options that could have changed things or allow you to be one-step-ahead?