Yup we all get old...
even thought of as "Gumps" at one point or another.
Our physical facilities and endurance fade over time and although we do "Good for our Age", we are still far behind the physical speed, agility, strength and endurance of younger counterparts.
And there is no known cure!
There is however an equalizer of sorts... and that my friend is Kyusho.
Strength does not matter, size does not matter, speed does not matter and powerful blows do not matter with Kyusho. What you need is accuracy, the type that only develops over time as you learn self control and do not rely on the youthful attributes.
- Cunning... that's what an old guy relies on when dealing with opposition, that combined with strategy and something definitely missing in the young and that is experience.
- Patience yes reserve until the correct moment and land that important shot as opposed to wildly acting in a rush.
- Stealth... now who thinks this old guy knows anything,they walk into the spiders web as that deceptive appearance harbors someone that has dropped more people than the young guy.
- Knuckles that stick out even where they shouldn't be one... yes those joints and bony prominence's get more and more pronounced, perfect for sealing that yung'un's artery.
- Determination... I have not met an old guy yet that wants to be bested by a young one... that determination and resolve are most often more crucial than physical skill.
Now all that said if the Gump has no power and tries only for soft targets that are reflexively protected like the eyes, groin, throat... well that smack with all of the 10 pounds of force will do little... unless they strike a nerve, blood pool or set off the dysfunctional reflexes of the MSC and GTO.
The targets of Kyusho are not only very potent, but also very accessible in all ranges of combat or self-defense (thank God cuz, reaching is not always easy for an "Old Gump"). They can be quickly learned by anyone and applied immediately if the need arises (thank God cuz, us "Old Gumps" don't have time to waste).
By learning simple targets as opposed to complex techniques and agility based methods, the older individual can utilize it more readily. As an example, just teaching a Gump (said in fondness as I am one), to strike the carotid sinus as the single target will be far more beneficial and usable than say teaching them a rear naked choke. They have a single focus and then simply train to access it from pushes, grabs, single strikes and various self defense scenarios. The tool they use is variable so someone with arthritis that can not clench a tight first can still access the target, they are not limited, they are free to use what they still can.
We must also take into account their limitations on agility that would allow them to access the choke or apply it. Again older folks have many physical limitations that we must consider (although very difficult if we do not have a similar issue). We need to watch them very carefully to see what they can and more importantly cannot do physically. But by working more slowly with the amount of information and challenge you give them, you will see all the dogged qualities mentioned surface and they will excel. Many younger folks will be either dumbfounded or frustrated that no matter what they try to do this old gump will pop them in the same target over and over again.... just what you want, they need and this will empower them to continue onto yet another target in time.
This allows a Gump to pick up a target quickly and focus on getting to it from various attacks and in spontaneous situations, devoid of “Set Technique” that is scenario specific; they will reach a higher level of proficiency faster (thank God cuz, for an "Old Gump" to remember a bunch of techniques is a real challenge).
Not only that but it will fit or translate into any style you currently study, you can fit them in your drills or sparring without anyone except you knowing you are even doing it… unless you tap them (thank God cuz, an "Old Gump" ain't gonna change for no one) .
Now all that said please understand that Martial Arts will keep you viable longer and stronger... but there will be a loss of all mentioned, luckily for all of us Kyusho will pick up the slack!
Yes you may be an old dog, but you can have a new trick... keep it simple, think and work with it often and get it from short term memory to long term before it disappears.
-ep
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