Inside Job
As we look at this photo of a bullet travelling through gelatin, we are allowed to see the very difference between conventional ballistic attack and that of Kyusho.
If we see the cube of gelatin as the human body and the distortion as the affects of a ballistic strike on that body we gain a very valuable insight. With a heavy blow from fist, elbow, knee or any blunt weapon, we see that at the surface and even interior, there is a massive trauma or expansive affect on that structure. It's force is captured and absorbed as it dissipates within the structure at the point of impact. Yes it damages the tissue or integrity but is solely dependent on the amount of force utilized.
The idea of Kyusho which can be depicted by the bullet traveling on a path through the target on a specified path through space and object, is vastly different. But first we must get terminology straight as the confusion lies with this.
In Kyusho the typical manta is "Angle and Direction" and on the surface, (pun intended), this is a valid approach, yet very limiting.
Angle: translates into the way your weapon approaches a specific target (some still call a pressure point), it is a descriptor of your physical action. This is from a starting position to a finishing position, front to back, high to low, low to high, right to left or left to right, etc.
Direction: translates into a course along which someone or something moves and can mislead the new practitioner in the study of Kyusho. It is also why many try fruitlessly to realize great affects but fall short... unfortunately also why many give up, stating that Kyusho does not work.
The better definition that helps people not only understand to a higher degree, but also enables them to actuate Kyusho affects more effectively and efficiently is "Trajectory".
Trajectory: is the path followed by a projectile flying or an object moving under the action of given forces through space or object. In Kyusho that is everything as we seek to send our kinetic energy toward a specific path in the human body not at the site of impact, but deep into the core. We do not seek to traumatize the exterior or the shell of the body and all structures, instead we seek a trajectory along an accessed structure to the core. In Kyusho this is the central nervous system (spinal column and brain), via the nerves.
This is why there are no injuries in Kyusho as we are not using, nor do we need, heavy blunt trauma or power. Yes Kyusho will still work like that as this picture also illustrates, the damage can be inflicted and the trajectory also realized. But in the training the importance is placed on the trajectory and reaching the core with as minimal a force as possible. Once that is trained and ingrained, adding force (if ever needed) will of course multiply the affects (and legal issues)... for a even more reliable protection.
We see in MMA now the hard realities of this as well. We see the heavy force and brutality, that is often absorbed and fought past... but every so often we see the proper trajectory used in a location that even with less power, incapacitates the opponent. But this and most Martial Arts are of this Yang nature and is not concerned with the inner workings as much as destroying the outer aspects.
And as a Yin comparative, we look at the skill of Kenjutsu (剣術) or the Japanese Sword styles. They do not use force to make their cuts, but instead use trajectory to go through the outer... this is what Kyusho is all about, or should be.
It is not the power, it is not the angle or direction... it is all in the trajectory.
-ep
Great insights Evan, thank you.
Rod, this is where many have difficulty not only in Kyusho but in success.
We all learn and know what angle or direction to go in, but lack the trajectory and realization of the goal or real target.
Once we get past the superficial and are dedicated to reaching the deeper target, we always succeed.
Hmmmm…. the word penetration comes to mind. That is what a bullet does to get into the body. We need to get deeper to affect the individual (mind,body, and spirit)
Dee that is also why we had that session in New York on feeling the actual nerves… most people strike too much on the surface, they confuse power levels with penetration to the correct structure (which they do not study, most study what they perceive as pressure points on a surface as illustrated in so many acupuncture books and charts).
Once the actual structure is known, the individual can then understand more fully how to better access them for greater affect via send the message along the nerve with the correct trajectory, not just heavier strike which is mostly absorbed by the outer body as depicted in the photo.
If this is the main concern of a ammunition caliber for armed self defense, what makes it any different for unarmed…
Also think of this as many people shot do not die, many times the bullet is slowed by the outer clothing, or the shot goes clean through the body not hitting any vital targets. Yes it still injures the body, but it does not debilitate it… same in Boxing, MMA, etc. they take many shots as the trajectory was off and the inner dysfunctioning structures are not accessed.
There have been scores of stories about a person charging and being shot multiple times, but they still live and they are still charging… if a .45 caliber shot from a firearm can not do it with the wrong trajectory then your hands or feet won’t either.
To stop the opponent you must have the correct penetration for sure, but more importantly you need to have the correct trajectory.
Looks like a strong indicator to the difference between quality verse quantity regarding the application of force. Kyusho done correctly appears akin to the use of a firearm, where (if I am correct in my understanding) the goal of trajectory is to not only connect with the internal target, but also leave the message in them for maximum damage and effect, whether that be a nerve message from energetic transfer alone and/or the projectile too. Both aspire to the ultimate goal of leaving internal prolonged damage affecting the receiver on my levels of being.
OK let me rephrase this; most people when they first start Kyusho strike only the surface or surface objects… little to no results.
Next they learn to get between the structures and get better results.
When or if they learn to also get between the surface structures and stretch the nerve a bit, they get even better results.
But if they envision the nerve from sat the jaw going with a trajectory toward the spine, the affects are even greater.
Not necessarily damage, but sending a message along it’s pat with intended destination or affect is what the article is referring. There should be a specific path or trajectory for each Kyusho application.
That is why, in my kyusho studies, i look at Evan’s charts. I am able to find a better pathway to strike, grapple, etc. I also helps me to see which direction the nerve is going and where it exits. Then I go through my “tool box” to get the right equipment to penetrate.
When certifying for the 3rd level (approximation 6 months), the curriculum states:
Third Level: (Kyusho in Mobile Head Targeting)
* Kyusho – Head Points in Motion coming off of Level Two skills, developing the known points with confidence and ability. (From striking and grabbing motions in continuous sparring or drilling methods)
* Testing – The criteria being displayed ability with all required head points in a mobile and dynamic way, used in various mobile self defense techniques within their own style, with correct Angle, Direction and Proper Dynamics.
Now this only means correct targeting, as well as angle… when the individual gets to the Practitioner level over the Training levels, they must show affect, which then demonstrates the trajectory has also been assimilated. The trajectory is what makes Kyusho work… and a major block for most beginners. Probably why many give up early sayingKyusho will not work… they just have not achieved the proper mechanics.