This is an old post I had in the CSSD forum. I thought some people who were interested in using mental visualization for their own training might find it helpful. I have found that visualization is a great way to train the nervous system. I would be interested to know experiences of people who have used visualization for their training.
For anyone interested in mental visualization I can recommend two books. The first is called the Mental Edge. You should be able to find it on the internet, martial arts catalogues or gun shows. The author deals with how martial artists and self-defense minded citizens can use mental visualization to help them prepare for the mean streets of America. He also covers relaxation techniques and self-hypnosis. The other book is called Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz. Psycho Cybernetics is a self-help psychology book but it gives great insights on how visualization and shadow-boxing can be used to program your nervous system. Maltz book might be harder to come by as it was published at least twenty five years ago. Maltz book and the Mental Edge both refer to studies that have shown that people who use mental visualization exclusively (no hands on practice) have done almost well as those who have done hands on practice. One study dealt with throwing basketballs and darts. There were three groups, 1. Practiced throwing the ball and darts 2. No practice with either method and 3. Using only mental visualization. The study found that the people who did practice hands on did the best, but those who did strictly mental visualization did almost as well. When you combine hands on practice with mental visualization, the results can be stunning! Pro and Olympic Athletes have used mental visualization techniques for years to help improve their performance.
As far as using mental visualization for self-defense scenarios (especially knife fighting), I think you need to make it real, very real and very intense. Everyone needs to be prepared to get cut by a knife. A cut will shock your mind and nervous system if you are not prepared for it. You cannot practically replicate getting cut through hands-on experience. But you can use your imagination. If you want to get real gritty, you can go to the local library and find some paramedic books of people that have been cut with knives or hurt by impact weapons. This will give you an idea of the kind of physical wound a cut can leave. Imagine yourself getting cut, taking the cut but at the same time escaping from your attacker or beating your attacker. You must also imagine yourself cutting your attacker. Combat is a horrific experience and stabbing or cutting someone in self-defense can give you a shock. You need to be prepared for either situation. You also need to imagine yourself ESCAPING from someone who pulls a knife on you. Because escape is always your best option in a situation like that.
For anyone interested in mental visualization I can recommend two books. The first is called the Mental Edge. You should be able to find it on the internet, martial arts catalogues or gun shows. The author deals with how martial artists and self-defense minded citizens can use mental visualization to help them prepare for the mean streets of America. He also covers relaxation techniques and self-hypnosis. The other book is called Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz. Psycho Cybernetics is a self-help psychology book but it gives great insights on how visualization and shadow-boxing can be used to program your nervous system. Maltz book might be harder to come by as it was published at least twenty five years ago. Maltz book and the Mental Edge both refer to studies that have shown that people who use mental visualization exclusively (no hands on practice) have done almost well as those who have done hands on practice. One study dealt with throwing basketballs and darts. There were three groups, 1. Practiced throwing the ball and darts 2. No practice with either method and 3. Using only mental visualization. The study found that the people who did practice hands on did the best, but those who did strictly mental visualization did almost as well. When you combine hands on practice with mental visualization, the results can be stunning! Pro and Olympic Athletes have used mental visualization techniques for years to help improve their performance.
As far as using mental visualization for self-defense scenarios (especially knife fighting), I think you need to make it real, very real and very intense. Everyone needs to be prepared to get cut by a knife. A cut will shock your mind and nervous system if you are not prepared for it. You cannot practically replicate getting cut through hands-on experience. But you can use your imagination. If you want to get real gritty, you can go to the local library and find some paramedic books of people that have been cut with knives or hurt by impact weapons. This will give you an idea of the kind of physical wound a cut can leave. Imagine yourself getting cut, taking the cut but at the same time escaping from your attacker or beating your attacker. You must also imagine yourself cutting your attacker. Combat is a horrific experience and stabbing or cutting someone in self-defense can give you a shock. You need to be prepared for either situation. You also need to imagine yourself ESCAPING from someone who pulls a knife on you. Because escape is always your best option in a situation like that.
