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We hope You are having a successful day... here is Your latest copy of the 'Harmony Newsletter' from the Aikido Health Centre.

Your Unique Journey continues with our article titled... 'Key Acupressure Points for Self Defence' - see below...

Read on... for our Words of Wisdom, World Community News, and Feature Article. The back issues & unsubscribe links are at the end of the Ezine.

Next month's article 'Aikido Pressure Points' spotlights some of the most important points used in Aikido self defence practise... Stay Tuned !

Peace and Harmony

Tony

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Seven years? It's a tall order but we have a cunning plan. Together with eight other national campaigning organisations, the Greenpeace Brazilian team have launched an ambitious proposal with a goal of zero deforestation by 2015.

The plan sets out specific targets that could see deforestation drop gradually over the next seven years, pushing for a cut of 25 per cent in the first year compared to figures for 2005/6. It's thinking on a massive scale, but we believe it can be done - with deforestation rates already falling and with a concerted effort it really could happen.

To achieve this, the proposal contains a few key elements, none of which are particularly radical but together with tough reduction targets add up to a powerful package. One is to create financial incentives that promote forest protection rather than forest destruction, so everyone is encouraged to make use of the forest in a truly responsible manner than has been the case up until now.

Another central plank of the proposal is to beef up the forest protection agencies so there is a hugely increased presence of state and government officials. With increased resources, they'll be able to monitor, control and inspect commercial activities properly to prevent illegal logging and land clearance for farming. One of the major challenges is to ensure that zero deforestation is achieved while still guaranteeing the social rights of indigenous and local communities who live in and around the rainforest.

None of this is going to be possible without full involvement from the government and companies, but at least they're listening. Present at the launch in Brasilia were Minister of Environment Marina Silva and the governors of several Amazon states, including Blario Maggi. As well as being governor of Mato Grosso, he is also the head of Grupo Amaggi, a major soya exporter and signatory to the two-year soya moratorium.

Of course, there's a price tag for all this - an estimated one billion reais (over £265 million). Weighed against the value of the rainforest in terms of biodiversity and the livelihoods of the people who depend on it, it looks like small change, particularly when it includes international contributions. Because, given the rainforest's role in moderating climate change, it's something we all have an interest in preserving: up to one-fifth of greenhouse gas emissions are down to deforestation, making Brazil the fourth largest polluter in the world.

Talks to hammer out a successor to the Kyoto Protocol begin this December in Bali, and we want to see deforestation included in the discussions. If that happens, responsibility for forest protection won't fall just on forest nations, and rich countries will need to contribute as well. For daring zero deforestation proposals like this one to work, international co-operation is absolutely essential.

This is a martial art of Peace that develops in us an acute awareness of our surrounding environment, the ability to be calm, focused, relaxed and centred. Millions of Aikido practitioners around the World experience the positive benefits of... Aikido - The Way of Harmony

Acupressure is most useful for the Martial Artist and is the healing art of the Samurai. For thousands of years, well-trained warriors in the East have relieved their own wounds, injuries, and other health problems... even on the battlefield... no doctors, hospitals, or drugs!

With just the simple touch of a finger they were able to "erase" pain and most other discomforts, safely, naturally and effectively. They had to be up and ready for action in a moment, even following serious injuries.

It seems hard to imagine that just a few seconds of deep, fingertip massage on a special area of the body could be so effective... yet it's absolutely true and it's been proven time and again.

There are many terms used for pressure points in the martial arts including... dim mak, death touch, poison hand, vital points striking, etc.

To be a qualified pressure point fighting instructor requires lengthy study and training under the supervision of an authentic Dim Mak teacher. This is very important because in dim mak, the basis of selecting pressure points in combat is based on Chinese martial arts principles and the ancient Chinese medical theories used in the Chinese healing arts.

In the past, pressure point masters were also professional doctors who used acupuncture and Chinese herbs to heal the sick and injured. These martial arts masters were often required to heal themselves and their students from injuries from hard training and real combat.

There are several types of pressure points, each of which is applied differently, and each one creates different effects. Some principles are...

PAIN

Some points are painful because of the nerves in the area. The body has a pain reflex that reacts to pain by moving away from it. Martial artists make use of this sometimes without being aware of it. Applying pressure next to the collar bone, from above will cause the person to move downwards (away from the pain) whereas poking them in the gap between the jaw and neck (just below the ear) will make their body want to move upwards.

Pressure to the shoulder causes that side of the body to move back. A jab to the abdomen in the middle of the stomach will cause some people to twist around violently away from the pain. A rub to the back down will cause the body to move forwards. Some points react more violently to pain from changes in the pressure (rubbing) rather than constant pressure. While pressure points may cause pain that may not be their true purpose.

PRESSURE

The baroreceptor in the carotid artery is pressure-sensitive allowing the body to control the blood flow into the brain. Pressure against this region will "trick" the body into thinking that blood pressure is too high and thus will constrict and lower blood pressure—which can cause blackout. Striking veins and arteries can also cause them to shut or tear, both of which will definitely cause black-out and possible death if not treated immediately.

BREAK

There are certain areas which are likely to lead to a break if struck properly. This includes the floating "loose rib", and the top of the skull.

HYPER-EXTENSION

There are joints that when struck, can be hyper-extended and even completely torn apart. This is a technique which can cause permanent damage and disfiguration to the opponent usually focusing on the elbow and the knee. There are two types...

1 - Brute Force... This takes advantage of the vulnerability of the strike point, thereby causing the damage; and...

2 - Golgi Organs... A relatively gentle strike to the Golgi tendon at the back of the elbow, for example, triggers a reflex which immediately relaxes that tendon allowing the elbow to bend more easily in the wrong direction. If this is immediately followed by a solid strike to the elbow joint, the elbow can be broken with significantly less effort than through brute force.

BRAIN SHAKE

The brain is actually a very vulnerable organ, which is why it is encased in the skull. The brain floats in fluid and balances on a very flexible spine. Certain techniques can actually shake the brain in a way which causes black out. The most commonly taught technique involves a strike just below the occipital ridge (neck), at the correct angle in the correct direction. Other areas that are susceptible to such techniques are the temples and the top of the skull.

ENERGY

Some believe there are energy channels which flow around the body through acupuncture meridians, and an attack will impact the flows, and thus impact the body. This is called "chi", "ki" or "qi" in East Asian cultures and "Psi" or vital energy in some western areas.

Traditional Chinese medicine theory is based on the idea that specific pathway lines called meridians exist on the human body, along which are found many hundreds of acupressure points. Acupuncture is the most well known use of the meridian system. According to proponents, pressing, seizing or striking these points (or combinations of points) with specific intent and at certain angles can result in either heightening or diminishing qi circulation in the body, according to this theory.

Here are some commonly asked questions about Pressure Points...

1 - They are very small... How can I really hit them?

The point itself is small, but the area of activation is about the size of a fist. There are 360+ places on the body to hit as well... do you think you could hit one in a fight as it is almost impossible not to!

2 - Do I have to hit them in a specific order?

Absolutely Not.

3 - Are there one strike Knockouts?

Yes.

4 - Do I need to know Martial Arts Kata to learn this?

No.

5 - How long does the effect last when I hit a point?

This depends on how well it was struck... but as a rough guideline, the effect on the body lasts for approximately 20 minutes on a decreasing scale. The lighter the touch... the quicker the cycles return to normal.

6 - Are their dangers involved?

There are dangers in all Martial Arts, which can be greatly reduced by a well trained instructor.

7 - I've been studying now for quite a while and I know where many points are, but I can't make them work on some people... why?

There are many possible reasons for this. Using one or two of the Principles will usually solve most problems. Correct angle and direction could be another reason. Also, bear in mind that some people just do not feel the pain at very low power levels. DO NOT increase the power levels in training though. You are likely to use full power for street defence.

Master Russell Stutely has been acknowledged as Europe's Leading Authority on the use of Pressure Points in the Martial Arts. He is one of the leading sources of inspiration in street effective pressure points over the last 8 years. He has been instrumental in dragging Traditional Martial Arts kicking and screaming into the 21st Century.

Russell is a regular Columnist for the UK's most prestigious Martial Arts magazines... Martial Arts Illustrated, Traditional Karate and Combat. He is also one of the leading Seminar Instructors in the UK.

He has recently developed a set of Dvd's called 'Pressure Points Black' covering all of the essentials required to make this art effective. You will learn some easy-to-apply methods effective in a real street attack.

I personally have this series and use many of the amazing techniques in my daily training routine. I can highly recommend them to You!!! Take a look now by clicking... Pressure Points Black

The Aikido Health Centre website was built and is maintained using Site-Build-It software and is in the Top 1% of visited websites on the Net. You can learn How to focus like a Laser-Beam and achieve Your Goals, all in one COMPLETE PACKAGE with... Site-Build-It

Coming very soon... 'The Art of Ukemi' We turn the the spotlight on the essential ingredients for You to become a successful UKE... a receiver of technique. This will greatly enhance your abilities to apply techniques.

Coming soon... The Ultimate Aikido Success Blueprint' We will be focusing on the BEST ways for You to fast-track your Aikido skills towards self-mastery. You will learn how to achieve Your peak performance levels.

Peace & Harmony

Tony Wilden - Aikido Instructor/Healer
Aikido Health Centre Website
Harmony of Mind-Body-Spirit Ezine
Directed Arun Aikido Club 1992-2007
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Tony Wilden is an Aikido Instructor and qualified in several Healing Arts.
He has a deep interest in spiritual matters, optimum health, environmental issues, and the creation of harmony between people and nature. Tony is on a path to wisdom, freedom and power and shares his insights on aikido, health, universal principles, ancient knowledge and master strategies.