Quote Originally Posted by sanjuro_ronin View Post
So, what you are saying is that you take a natural reaction, in this case the flinch, and make it a "martial one".
So, in essence, making a the martial art based on natural reactions rather than "preprogrammed" ones?
Flinching theory if one of the first principles we are taught. As humans, we have natural instincts, just like any other animal, we don't want to be hurt. A lot of these are based on that "Don't get hit" reflex and lead to positions we, as martial artist's try to avoid. Curling up in the "Fetal position" being an extreme example. These reflexes can in fact be a great asset, using drills to change our natural response from a negative reaction, covering ourselves and going into the "Don't hurt me" mindset to a positive one, stopping the attack and having a much more "What's going on?" state of mind. Our flinching drills involve closing one's eyes and relaxing. while your eyes are closed, your training partner or partners position themselves somewhere around you. as you open your eyes, you are suddenly attacked. Having no Idea what exactly is going on you are forced to react naturally. That is, without thinking. At later stages, you're pushed violently while your eyes are closed, forcing you to catch your balance, and then defend yourself without knowing exactly where you are positioned either.
Natural reactions are important to understand and train with as opposed to against.

....After all, in the end, you're just a monkey.