The third article connects martial arts and psychology on a meta level: how training leads to identity formation and creates inner peace.
Inner strength: from “fighter” to “creator”
True strength does not come from toughness or control, but from the clarity you find within yourself. This inner peace is the direct result of neural reprogramming.
The new “I am…” code as identity: Every thought, every conscious reaction in training (in sparring or partner exercises) is an impulse that reshapes your brain.
You form a new identity: one that takes responsibility, that is no longer a victim, but a creator.
The reflection smiles back: Birkenbihl used the mirror analogy: If you yell at your reflection to smile, it won’t work. Only when you smile yourself will the mirror smile back.
In conflict, this means that only when you find inner peace and clarity within yourself will you encounter this clarity on the outside.
The martial arts rule: Setting boundaries means self-respect
In martial arts, setting boundaries is existential. Psychologically, this means:
Boundaries are self-respect: Growth and freedom arise because you know that setting boundaries does not mean rejecting others, but respecting yourself.
Peace is a decision: you become less dependent on opinions and more relaxed in conflicts. Peace is not a reward that the world gives you because you fought well; it is an inner decision.
Concluding remarks: Nug Mui training is more than just fighting. It is a school of emotional maturity and self-leadership. Through training, you will not only learn to defend yourself in an emergency, but also how to program your mind so that you don’t fall into the role of victim in the first place. You will lead your life with clarity and confidence – and that is true strength. Fighting is then not an expression of pain, but a consequence of your guided, conscious choice to defend yourself.