Head Shots

Having been on the receiving end of more than a few head shots during my years as an airline safety trainer, I can attest to their powerful simplicity.  Shut down the brain and the body simply goes limp.  It doesn't even necessarily hurt, you simply feel as if you're standing in place and the floor (or hopefully mat) rises up to slam you in the face.

There are several different types of injuries that can be caused by head shots and fortunately due to the popularity of boxing and prevalance of data on car crashes, we have a lot of information regarding what happens during the assault and afterwards.

A short article on how the brain hurts here.

Video of coup/contra coup injury here.  It shows how the brain literally rocks back and forth inside the skull creating bruising.  Typically this is shown front to back as that's how it happens most often during car accidents but keep in mind that anytime the brain rocks from one side to the other you can get this type of injury.

Compilation of Muay Thai head shot knockouts here.  Notice the reactions of the receiver immediately following contact.

If you watch this video here though, you'll notice that not just any head shot results in a knockout.  That's because the body shuts down when the brain does.  If the blow is absorbed by the skull then no brain trauma and no knockout.

But if you really want to be certain of a knockout, watch this guy here.  Soft hand blows such as a cupped palm or knife hand are significantly safer to use by the attacker and are far more likely to result in a coup/contra coup injury.

Information dealing with after-effects here.

The neuroscience of alien contact

Cortex has  just released a new issue dealing with paranormal experiences.  Inside is an article dealing with the neurology of people claiming to have contact with aliens.  I found this particularly interesting as certain meditative techniques have consistently led me to undergo similar experiences.  A biological underpinning would seem to be logical and it's interesting to read what scientists can find out under more controlled conditions.

You can find the article here.

The page with the main issue and several other studies can be found here.

5 Lessons From A Master Of Old School Eclectic

Around a hundred years ago an engineer by the name of EW Barton-Wright successfully combined Japanese jiu-jutsu, Swiss fencing, French savate and western boxing to create the devestating art of Bartitisu.  The art was so impressive and garnered such a following at the time that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle even referred to Sherlock Holmes as a practitioner.

Here are 5 important lessons we can learn from this leader in western eclectic martial arts.

1)  Be Open To New Information

At a time when the Imperial attitudes predominated, Barton-Wright not only accepted that other countries might have something to teach, he actively trained with established foreign masters including Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo.  With the founding of the Bartitsu Academy of Arms and Physical Culture, Barton-Wright continued to promote cross-fertilization of skills and ideas.  He brought together jiu-jutsuka and wrestlers, fencers and boxers to learn from each other.

2)  Be Comfortable In A Variety Of Situations

Like today's mixed martial artists, Barton-Wright encouraged practice in a variety of ranges and with a variety of systems.  While others would focus primarily on using the hands in boxing or grappling, Bartitsu practitioners were comfortable in close quarters, boxing and kicking ranges as well as at a distance using fencing skills with a common walking stick.

3)  Actively Pursue Physical Health

In addition to martial arts instruction, The Bartitsu Academy provided the latest in electro-magnetic health equipment.  While the machines Barton-Wright provided would these days probably be for sale on a late-night infomercial, all of the club members actively pursued the "physical culture" of the times including calisthenics, jump rope and working with Indian clubs.

4)  Make Use Of Everday Items

Gentlemen of the times were never without a walking stick and Bartitsu practitioners knew how to make it particularly useful in defense.  Barton-Wright invited Pierre Vigny, a Swiss master-at-arms to teach his innovative, single-stick fencing method adapted to a gentleman's cane to provide club-members with a simple, yet highly effective weapon.

5)  Focus On The Practical

The Bartitsu Club made its name on the need for defense against the rampant gang activity of the time.  Techniques were pared down to be practical and effective for a man in everyday clothes against a variety of attackers.

For more information about EW Barton-Wright and his continuing legacy of Bartitsu check out the Bartitsu website here.  Bartitsu

DIY Ninja Smokebombs

For informational purposes only.