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Pressure Point Training
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So, you're interested in pressure point training. Well, You're certainly not alone. As we briefly discussed in the martial art dim mak pressure point section (I have trained in the warrior martial arts for over 30 years and have always been fascinated by these concepts and theories.
As my self defense training progressed, especially in arts such as;
- goshin jitsu
- jujitsu
- tai chi
- kung fu
- and various karate arts
And while my curiosity for these concepts has always existed, I've had difficulty receiving any formal training. I went out and bought a few books on the subject of dim mak. I studied a few acupuncture and acupressure manuals, but I had a hard time forming these concepts into a dim mak training regimen for myself. Thus the idea of using dim mak concepts in my training became somewhat of an enigma.
Now don't get me wrong, I was taught the general vital points of the body.
And my time with Michael Ceballos and the Tamanegi Do Martial Arts Association did help me to explore, in greater depth, some dim mak vital points throughout the the body.
Ceballos Sensei helped me to apply these concepts to my goshin jitsu (self defense techniques) martial arts fighting style.
As my warrior martial arts training progressed, I would often discuss with other warrior martial artists such questions as..
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Can martial art pressure point training be used enhance your self defense training?
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Is tapping someone on a given dim mak point and making them fall to the ground like a puppy, that has been scolded for the first time, really possible?
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Can these techniques be defeated and/or defended?
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Where can we get knowledge of these concepts?
As my martial training began to move in other directions, I came across a few warriors who claimed to have been trained in dim mak point concepts.
Naturally, I was curious and investigated these avenues. They seemed to have merit but nothing stuck out. I had gained some knowledge. Yet with a little training and manipulation of these theories, I was able to beat the techniques shared with me.
This was not reminiscent of the dim mak stories I had read, heard and seen portrayed in martial arts movies growing up. Not that any of these sources were portraying truth or fact. I had just believed that there had to be something more to these concepts.
Time passed, I got older and the internet began to become infested with web sites claiming that they had discovered the secrets of dim mak, unlocking the concepts behind using pressure points for self defense.
I even acquired some additional training videos. One book that I acquired was the"The Encyclopedia of Dim Mak". At the time it made little impact on my training, but did spark my fascination into tai chi.
This is the main style of Erle Montaigue of Tai Chi World. He is the author of many dim mak videos and books. He is a leading martial artist in tai chi and dim mak.
Although I had gained some more understanding and insight into dim mak points, I still lacked real concrete direction and application. I enjoyed Mr. Montaigue's perspective on dim mak and the warrior way of life.
My first Pressure Point Seminar
I had begun to approach pressure point training from the aspect of defeating or defending attacks as opposed to applying them offensively. This seemed to be where my pressure point training would stay.That is until January of 2004, a martial artist friend of mine invited me to a self defense seminar, hosted by Chris Thomas, near Chicago. My friend was attending the seminar and I took one of my students with me.
I was skeptical, and sure that I would find the same type of information, I had received in the past. Either they would teach from such a mystical stand point or they would stay to general with no real meat. Boy was I wrong.
I was floored, not so much by what was taught, but by how it was approached. It was taught from a more scientific stand point.
The seminar began to open my eyes to all I had learned in past years and help me to understand that many of the techniques and forms I practiced actually held the very pressure point concepts I had been seeking.
After the seminar, I wanted to learn more so I checked out the books and such that they offered. I learned that Chris Thomas was a student of George Dillman's and that Mr. Thomas help to write many of George Dillman's books.
Both Books were pack with some 300+ pages of history, pictures, explanations and diagrams that brought my self defense pressure point training to new levels of excitement and revelation.
Now, believe it or not, I had only briefly every heard of George Dillman and never heard of Chris Thomas prior to this seminar. But I came to realize that they had been involved in self defense pressure point training for most of the time I had been involved in the warrior arts.
I spent the next several months devouring the information in these books and applying it to my training and teaching techniques. I then went back to other resource material I had acquired over the years and they began to make much more sense to me.
I revisited Erle Montique's books and website. This time it became more clear that he is very knowledgeable in dim mak pressure point training. I am currently acquiring more books and material by him to increase my understanding of these applications.
Attending another Pressure Point Seminar
I was so interested in what Mr. Dillman had to say and more importantly how he presented the information in his books, that I began to investigate his web site and check out some of his students. In doing so I discovered that he had a student that was located in a small town near me here in central illinois.The school is Mickey Wittekiend's Midwest Martial Arts School. So, I contact Mr. Wittekiend and he informed me that he hosted a yearly seminar in peoria, and Mr. Dillman was the instructor. Now how could I pass up a pressure point seminar in my own back yard.
So, in December 2004, I attended George Dillman's seminar. That's me on the left with Mr. Dillman, he was using me to demonstrate a technique. Which made the techniques come more alive. This man trained with Bruce Lee, so I was honored. This was a very exciting time.
Wrapping it all up
Remember that knowledge grows by exploring as many angles as possible. Don't limit yourself to only one source of dim mak information. Explore different avenues and material.By the Way, you can keep up-to-date on all our web site changes and additions by signing up for our newsletter - RSS Feeds or by stopping by our warrior martial art site blog page.
For your convenience I have added a google search box below. Enter "pressure point books" or "pressure point video dvd" (try it with and without the quotes) in the search box below and a list of videos and books form across the internet will be listed. -- The Bear Warrioryou may find the Tiger along the Way
