What's my situ?

We go through our day with blinders on. Our routine becomes automatic and as such our brains turn off and we don’t notice what’s happening around us… until it’s too late.

This is what we call “situational awareness”. I want to be aware of my surroundings in each situation that I find myself in throughout the day.

I also want to minimize compromises to my attention - music, cell phone, etc. And I need to realize compromises in my position - in a crowd, on a subway, wearing restrictive clothes, etc.

The more you realize “your situ” the more chance you have of avoiding and/or fending off a possible attack.

TIP: try decreasing the use of your cell phone when in public. Get your head up. Look around you. Notice what’s happening. The good and the bad - take it all in and take back your safety.


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Violence IS the answer...

Imagine the scene…

A young woman is cleaning up her kitchen at night after getting her child to bed. While she is doing the dishes an intruder breaks thru her backdoor into the kitchen and attacks her. During the scuffle the attacker grabs a knife from the knife block on the kitchen counter and ends up stabbing the young woman multiple times, killing her.

Now imagine this scene…

A young woman is cleaning up her kitchen at night after getting her child to bed. While she is doing the dishes an intruder breaks thru her backdoor into the kitchen and attacks her. During the scuffle the young woman grabs a knife from the knife block on the kitchen counter and ends up stabbing her attacker multiple times, killing him.

In both scenes violence was used. One time in the attacker's favor and one time in the young woman’s favor. Obviously it is a tragic result with the young woman dying in the first scene. But it is a triumphant action by the young woman in the second. Why is that?? Because violence or violent action is just a tool. How you use it determines the good or the bad. When confronted - point blank - with violence, the only option you have is to fight back. In other words, violence is the problem but IS also the solution.

Yes there are many shades of grey involved here. But, when you are faced with an asocial attacker in your face, in the moment, the only thing that will truly stop that attacker is a violent action on your behalf that causes a disfunction in the attacker’s body. You must be willing and able to do this when attacked with your life on the line.

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the first 30 seconds...

In self-defense we do not know when an attack will occur. It’s a sudden, explosive jump of action that we have to be ready for at all times. In that moment, the first 30 seconds of an attack are the most crucial. You have to adapt, cover and try not to go down. You are at your most vulnerable and you have to come though it intact. Once your do, and your nerves settle down and now you are on your turf and your attacker does not know what they are in for next. Being trained is a HUGE advantage but not a guarantee.

TOP 3 ADVANTAGES OF TRAINING:

  1. calmer under pressure

  2. tactical actions not frantic ones

  3. know how to take a hit and how to give one - with surgical precision

Training is your true weapon. Embrace the time in the studio Practice with purpose and it will serve you well.

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There is no Winning!

Unlike a competitive match, self-defense is not about winning. The goal of self-defense is to create a window of distraction or pain to allow you to run away, not to "win" a fight.

A “win” looks completely different in the self-defense context. Here are a few possible wins in self-defense:

  • running away (escape)

  • not being raped

  • not dying

  • minimally injured

Obviously there are many degrees to each of these but the overriding point is that you are not staying around to “duke it out” with your attacker to see who is tougher. Your only objective is to get home safe & sound to your loved ones.

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Hippy, Hippy, Shake!

The Hippy, Hippy Shake was a British invasion rock n’ roll hit in 1964 by the Swingin’ Blue Jeans. The best verse goes:

“Well, now you shake it to the left
You shake it to the right
You do the hippy shake, shake
With all of your might…”

And that verse perfectly encapsulates the idea of hitting. LOL. In self defense we need to hit a specific target with substantial force. We need the hit to actually damage our attacker in some way. To do this we must be able to hit with our whole body - not just our arms. To get the body behind any hit you need to move your hips and push off from the ground. This is the secret to hitting.

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Get the Point?

"It's pointless to train knife defense because you will get cut and stabbed no matter what..."

Yes your chances of surviving a knife attack are small, and your chances of getting out unscathed are just about nil.

None of which means its not worthwhile to try to improve those odds, even a little. Running's not always an option. If you can take your chances of survival from 0.1% to 2%, that's a huge improvement.

Knife defense involves 3-Levels of training

  1. Run away (if possible)

  2. Put an object between you and the knife (purse, bag, laptop, table, chair, pillar etc.) and engage the attacker

  3. Straight-out engage the attacker (if you have nothing)

Look it’s going to be messy, but you can improve the odds with training.

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The Grind to Mastery...

Every martial arts movie has the protagonist learn some special “go to” moves that the hero will need to use in the climatic end fight scene to win the day. Additionally, they will learn this move in a very short space of time. Be it a crane kick, a combo punch, a secret hidden power (SHO ‘Nuff - IYKYK) the movie script is all the same. Learn the technique and you are the Master!

In reality, however, it is never this straightforward. Mastery is a grind. It is a long, boring grind of repetition to the point of quitting. But you don’t quit. In the boredom of grinding out a technique to the mastery level you are actually building neural pathways to do that technique better, stronger and faster with each repetition. Plus you are honing your concentration thru the boredom to stay present in the technique. Finally, your emotional stamina to bring the energy of an attack/defense that is required will be increased as well. This is the way. This is mastery. It does not happen overnight.

The recipe is simple:

  1. learn the technique

  2. practice the technique

  3. repeat 10k time (no joke)

  4. be fully present

  5. have 100% concentration

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EVRYDAY SAFETY HABITS - 6 & 7

Simple effective habits can go a long way in keeping you safe. Continuing with this topic, here are Parts 6 & 7.

#6 - WHAT YOU CARRY:

  • Keep a tool like a personal alarm or flashlight ready.

  • Wear bags close to your body to prevent theft.

  • Carry minimal valuables and keep them out of view.

  • Have your keys in hand before you reach your car or door.

#7 - Mindset Habits:

  • Practice mindfulness to stay present and aware.

  • Mentally rehearse 'what if' scenarios and responses.

  • Develop assertiveness through tone, posture, and eye contact.

  • Maintain training to reinforce confidence and readiness.

A little mindfulness and preparation can go a long way in keeping you safer. Try to implement these tips into your daily routine. Be safe out there!!

A NEW YEAR and a NEW YOU!
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Everyday Safety Habits - Part 5

Simple effective habits can go a long way in keeping you safe. Continuing with this topic, here is Part 5:

#5 - Digital and Social Media Safety:

  • Limit sharing your real-time location online.

  • Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.

  • Be cautious about sharing personal info and daily routines.

  • Audit your digital footprint regularly.

Again, good, common sense. Try to implement these tips into your daily routine. Be safe out there!!

If it’s self-defense that you want to start,
we invite you to 2-FREE lessons with us.

Just click the button to book your first class and begin your journey!!

Everyday Safety Habits - Part4

Simple effective habits can go a long way in keeping you safe. Continuing with this topic, here is Part 4.

#4 - HOME SECURITY:

  • Always lock doors and windows, even when home.

  • Use exterior lights or motion detectors.

  • Verify identity before opening the door to strangers.

  • Keep curtains or blinds closed at night to enhance privacy.

Again, good, common sense. Try to implement these tips into your daily routine. Be safe out there!!

If it’s self-defense that you want to start,
we invite you to 2-FREE lessons with us.

Just click the button to book your first class and begin your journey!!