# The Stick

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2015/07/13/blog-the-stick/
- Published: 2015-07-13T20:47:00-04:00
- Author: Brian Johns

## It has been said often that the stick expedites the development of your natural attributes such as speed, power, coordination, timing, reaction speed, perceptual speed, spatial relationships, angle recognition, and footwork.

Another benefit of stick training is that punches look slower to the FMA practitioner.
How so? The tip of the stick is much faster than a punch. After hours of practicing
with a stick, punches will look slow in comparison—no wonder why full-time FMA practitioners
in their 60s have outstanding physical attributes.

For example, take a look at 64-year-old GM Bobby Taboada’s speed. Amazing!

As one can see, the stick can be an amazing tool for developing all the aforementioned
physical attributes. Many stories abound about older FMA Masters and their incredible
physical skills.

_**However, are physical attributes the only benefits one can gain from stick training?**_

## Most assuredly not.

Being an instructor, I’ve been honoured and flattered when students trust me enough
to confide in me about [their troubles](https://brianejohns.com/2016/04/18/blog-training-my-way-out-of-grief/).
I’ve been surprised by the number of students and colleagues struggling with various
emotional issues ranging from childhood sexual and physical trauma to depression,
anxiety, low self-esteem, substance abuse, PTSD, and other issues.

## I can understand where they are coming from.

I was born deaf (as a result of the Rubella outbreak between 1964 to 1966). I’m 
nearly profoundly deaf in the right ear and wear a cochlear implant on the left.
I attended the Clarke School for the Deaf in Northampton, Massachusetts, from 1970
to 1974. I returned to my hometown of Barberton, Ohio, to be mainstreamed in the
local elementary school.

My classmates and my teachers were fantastic for accepting who I am. However, I 
always felt like I didn’t “fit” in this world for many years. You see, on the one
hand, there’s the deaf community communicating largely through ASL; on the other
hand, there’s the hearing world. I didn’t know ASL and still don’t in the hearing
world. I also missed out on many conversations due to my deafness.

## So, I frequently felt like I wasn’t a part of either world and struggled with self-esteem issues for many years. 

In my hometown of Barberton, I played football from 4th grade through my senior 
year in high school. I was a starter from the 6th grade through the 10th grade. 
In the 11th and 12th grades, I was a backup tailback and split end. I started the
first two games of my senior year as a split end but lost the job for the rest of
the year. 

For years afterward, I would regularly dream that I was magically transported back
to the practice fields of Barberton High in 1982. “Wow, I have a second chance here!”
The dream would end the same way every time. I would mishear the play call in the
huddle and, consequently, screw up the play and lose the job again. And again.

![](https://i0.wp.com/brianejohns.com//wp-content/uploads/2020/06/395055_298580430253326_986573256_n.
jpg?resize=960%2C720&ssl=1)

Me in August of 1982

## The theme was much more than just football. 

It was about how I felt about my place in the world. Many times, I came up miserably
short when comparing myself to others. Martial arts, especially Modern Arnis, and
contemplation over the years helped me realize this is a futile exercise. Martial
arts and aging will do wonders to change that mindset.  Fortunately, those dreams
are far less frequent these days and have mostly disappeared.

## It has become clear that, while many of my students come to my classes primarily to learn self-defence, they seek much more from my classes.

They are looking for a place of belonging. They seek a place to restore their sense
of self, gain confidence, build themselves up, and not feel shortchanged when comparing
themselves to others. In this regard, I understand their feelings of inadequacy.
I get it when they express their sense of “not fitting in!”

## My role as an instructor has shifted over the years. While I still view the stick as a means of developing amazing physical attributes for self-defence, I have also come to view the stick as a personal development tool.

They can use the stick to learn valuable self-defence skills but also as a [figurative fighting tool in their struggles](https://brianejohns.com/2022/02/09/blog-even-perfect-folks-struggle/).
The stick teaches “counter for counter” and “the flow, ” concepts that readily carry
to life outside of class. 

The stick can be used to gain a sense of competency and accomplishment from hard
work in my classes. I am reasonably sure that if I drive hard on a student and defend
themselves well, they will feel good about it.  My goal is to engender confidence
that will permeate all areas of their lives.

If you are not able to view this video, click [here](https://youtu.be/CdOYOjwbhBs).

Concerning children, there is no doubt that they will encounter the usual curveballs
in life as they grow up. Even though I see them just once or twice a week, I hope
they learn enough life lessons and some hard-earned confidence to handle the inevitable
obstacles they will face down the road. 

Does this mean I will take it easy on my students? _Au contraire, mon frere_.

I’m more aware of my students and what they seek in my classes. I will continue 
teaching self-defence skills while giving them a good time!

_So yes, the stick is an amazing tool, just not in ways most people would expect._

## **So come on in! **

## **Pick up a stick and continue your life journey with it in your hand!**

## Additional Reading

 * [Friday Recommendation #17](https://brianejohns.com/2023/08/25/friday-recommendation-17/)
 * [Even “Perfect” Folks Struggle!](https://brianejohns.com/2022/02/09/blog-even-perfect-folks-struggle/)
 * [Go With The Flow!](https://brianejohns.com/2015/04/13/blog-go-with-the-flow/)
 * [“Sinawali Training is Useless”](https://brianejohns.com/2015/10/19/blog-sinawali-training-is-useless/)
 * [Paul Vunak and Filipino Martial Arts](https://brianejohns.com/2008/04/04/blog-paul-vunak-and-filipino-martial-arts/)

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