Dobra Family Blog

The Right, Duty, and Responsibility of Self Defense

* note: 6/20/2010 This is an in-progress and incomplete document. The thoughts and conclusions may not be fully formed as of this reading.

My first interest in martial arts was to build skill and confidence to be able to defend myself, my family, and my neighborhood from the criminal and lawless elements that seem to thrive.

As I studied the origins of the two styles I was interested in, Kung Fu and Krav Maga, I found that they, and many other styles of martial arts, had their roots in families and communities preparing to defend themselves from criminal gangs, invading armies, and evil dictators. And they weren't just born out of the need, but where there was a tradition of martial arts, there was also found a responsibility and duty to use it to protect and defend the common good and peace.

For instance, it was "during a time of banditry, violence and a weak imperial military - that we first see evidence that Shaolin monks [now famous for their Kung Fu] actually engaged in a unique form of combat training. . . It was also around this time . . . when the monks were called on to support the military in its campaigns against pirates." (Sharif)

Also, as an example, "In the year 961, martial art head master Fu Ju called together various masters from various areas in China for meetings with a special purpose. This was a very warlike period in China's history and people everywhere were in danger from brigands and armies. Fu Ju invited the best martial artists to come and share their knowledge while training at the Shaolin temple." (Canzonien)

Here is another great story of the Hung Gar Kung Fu Master Lam Sai Wing and Li Shi-gui, a low-ranking military commander, coming together to create a community security force:

All came to the common conclusion that robbers should be decisively repulsed. Furthermore, it was necessary to re-arrange various provisions and rules for the settlement of disputes and to make them a law with the aim to stop squabbling and paying off of personal scores. Also, our aim is not to permit the use of fighting arts for oppression of laobaisin (ordinary people) in order not to have a bad reputation among later generations. The young and the vigorous, who are just entering the social life, must take an example of great people and be generous-hearted and virtuous. If somebody with an undeserved honor to hear do not listen to these words, then, let him blame himself. All disasters are caused by one's foolishness! (Yuzhai)

I've already touched on the history of Krav Maga born out of the persecution of the Jewish people. "Since its existence, Israel has had to fight daily to maintain its survival. Surrounded and outnumbered by its enemies, Israelis developed systems of combat that focused on practicality, versatility and mental toughness. Out of necessity, Israeli martial arts valued rapid, instinctive learning methodologies and abandoned the formality of traditional self-defense systems. By adapting these philosophies, Israel has learned to survive through war and terrorism while developing one of the most formidable and well-respected armies in the world." (Kou)

In these cases, we can clearly see the duty and responsibility to use our Kung Fu to protect the defenseless.

Further more, martial arts in general and Kung Fu in particular are truly organic and therefore protect the most vulnerable. By organic I mean not institutionalized. The art and philosophy is passed on from family to family, and it is the family, neighborhood, community that directly benefits.

References:

Canzonien, Salvatore. "The Origin of Shaolin Taizu Changquan: Grand Ancestor of all Shaolin Boxing" Kung Fu Tai Chi magazine, June 2010 page 42

Kou, Henry , with Moni Aizik. "Commando Krav Maga" Inside Kung-Fu Magazine, www.insidekung-fu.com/content/view/61/36/1/0/

Sharif, Sulaiman. "Matial Arts Myths: Shaolin: The Birth of Kung Fu?" Inside Kung Fu magazine, July 2010, insidekung-fu.com

Yuzhai, Zhu. Disciple of Lam Sai Wing. "Short Historical Essay on Master Lam Sai Wing" As related by Zhang Shibiao from Pangyu. hung-gar-kung-fu.netfirms.com/LamSaiWing7.htm visited 9/2/2010

Dobra Family Kung Fu Style of Martial Arts

Luke and Mick, Trinity Training Center demo at the Rave, Summer 2010

In my research of martial arts I found a sense of family legacy, which is one of my King's greatest desires. Fathers pass along the faith, impressing God's revelation upon them. Fathers can also model and pass along healthy living, fitness, and fighting style (self defense).

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 quoted by Jesus in Matthew 22:36-40

I practice Kung Fu under Sifu Dexter Parker (peoriakungfu.com) and I have studied the history of Krav Maga and believe the principles of self defense and survival to be worthy of passing on to my posterity. (A.1)

The Dobra Family martial arts is a philosophy built on the solid foundation of the Hung Gar (Hung family, Southern Chinese style) Kung Fu as taught by Sifu Dexter Parker (1) and the historical reality of self defense as taught through Krav Maga.

I would define our family martial arts like Bruce Lee defined his, as a "style without style". "Unlike more traditional martial arts, [Bruce Lee's] Jeet Kune Do is not fixed or patterned, and is a philosophy with guiding thoughts." (2)

D-Day from the Journal of Sgt. Michael Dobra
B26-A Tail Gunner
9th Air Force – 323rd Bomb Group

**********

June 6 1944
This must be D day. All through the night planes roared overhead. Wave after wave. Got up at 6am and went to chow. It is the most perfect day I have yet seen. Planes of every type and description still flying back and forth.

This has all the makings of a very exciting day. I’m hoping for my 2nd mission and a glimpse of what the invasion looks like.

Heritage and Legacy of Military Service

We are first and foremost citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.
We believe that God created the man and the woman and that God has ordained marriage and the family by His plan and for His purpose! We, therefore, declare our family sovereign and ordained by God!
- The Dobra Family Mission

“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”

Honor: High Moral Conduct. A sense of respect and what is right, just, and true.

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."
Romans 12:10

Modesty: Decent behavior. Having self control and not boastful.

I've warned my wife that I thought this would be a tough summer in Peoria. Down economic times and the school closings and consolidation could make for a dangerous summer, I warned. Recent reports seem to be confirming my concerns.

[Updated: 7/26/2010, See Comments for Details!]

What a great class saturday with Sifu Parker! Our King desires us to be a light to this world, a source of good and the Gospel Truth.

Links to Self Defense Videos

Hung Gar Self Defense Lesson 1
A brief promo for a video. August 21, 2007

General Training Progression Principles:

"The magic of a technique is only revealed after one thousand repetitions."
Old Kung Fu Wisdom

1. Beginning: Conditioning

Practice forms to build memory (instinct), timing, speed, power and skill.

2. Intermediate: Stability

Hold forms for extended periods to build strength, endurance and that sinking feeling of "rooting" to train stability.

3. Advanced: Power