What has it got to do with self-defense training? Not much, but life without living, time without appreciation, existence without meaning is simply pointless.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete…

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember, to say, ‘I love you’ to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. An embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don’t send this to other people….Who cares?

George Carlin

I think for most folk it means learning a martial art and then using some fancy kicks and strikes against the bad guys when they come a-knocking!

I think we have hollywood to blame for that!

Although it certainly is an aspect of self defense I truly believe that self defense ought to start in the mind and a whole lot sooner than when you are physically attacked!

Driving  today I noticed a young lady applying her makeup in her car while driving. (Hint: That is how not to practise self defense.)

You see the rewards simply don’t justify the risks. Not only is she at risk for crimes like hijacking and smash and grabs (simply because she is focusing on her makeup and not her surroundings) she also has “Potential Victim” stamped all over her.

This lack of attention also means she cannot drive properly which puts her at risk of an accident.

Let’s put this is perspective shall we?

She is putting on her makeup in the car because:

a) she doesn’t have a mirror at home.
b) she likes to show people she can multi-task.
c) she got up too late to do it in the comfort and safety of her own home.

My guess? C!

She was running late and felt she didn’t have the 5 minutes it would require to put the makeup on at home, so she rushed off and did it in the car.

That is a classic case of failing to practice real self defense. I hope and pray nothing happened to her, but just consider for the sake of argument that something had.

She placed herself in a vulnerable position because she refused to reflect on her options and to weigh up the benefits of being 5 minutes late versus being attacked or having an accident. She risked:

1) Her possessions
2) Bodily harm
3) Perhaps even death.

For the sake of 5 minutes. It just doesn’t make sense to me.

So practise self defense – but forget about it merely being the fighting part…it actually starts in the mind and long before there is even a bad guy to be seen.

Stay safe!

What role does top quality tactical gear play in self defense or even law enforcement?

This is a question that I asked myself recently having spent a fair amount of time observing various practitioners (both students and instructors) in training.

Many owned and operated some of the best tactical equipment on offer, but will this make the difference?
I believe the answer to lie somewhere between “no” and “maybe” but my perception of folk in general is that their answer is “yes”!

I believe they are deluding themselves to their detriment, and that this belief might very well cost them limb or life (in the most extreme cases).

If I asked a group of people (enough to have statistical significance) whether they would:

a) Walk down a dark alley, alone and at night, unarmed. or
b) walk down a dark alley, alone and at night, but armed to the teeth

the majority, in my experience, would opt for b – only if armed to the teeth. So what’s the difference?

Well it appears that people place an inordinate amount of faith in tactical gear, and little or no faith in themselves, which for me is the problem.

I would honestly prefer someone who has trained, is proficient and self sufficient and able to think under pressure to watch my back then some untrained buffoon with an armory!

When faced with an insecurity it’s so much easier to pop down to the local security shop and buy some or other gadget than to take the time to train and educate oneself.

Don’t get me wrong, great tactical gear is important and can make an enourmous difference, so I’m by no means discounting it, what I am saying is you should train and become self reliant first, then add the best gear for the job, rather than buying the gear believing that the gear alone will make the difference to your survival or well being.

Lastly, when we become overly concerned about the gear we lose focus, direction and creative thinking and tend to think in terms of more gear = more solutions – to the point that you look like a combination between an army surplus store and a camping shop lugging around 40 Kg of equipment just to pop into the local mall!

As in sculpting, less is generally more. By removing the excess is the true essence revealed.

Why not check out our programs – ProAct, the definitive crime awareness and avoidance strategy seminar, our self-defense and rape avoidance workshops and improve your chances today!

Stay safe!

I recently watched a report carried on the British news channel SkyNews regarding the anticipated increase in UK crime as a result of the current economic crisis. In essence the argument went as follows:

People steal because they need to survive.
More people are battling to survive as a result of economic downturn (loss of jobs, soaring food costs, rising oil prices and the like.)
Ergo, more desparate people = more thieves.

The logic is simple.

Well, for the moment South Africa has not been as hard hit as many other economies around the world and I hope it stays that way. However there is no way that there will be no impact on the South African economy – in fact Trevor Manual in his recent budget speech estimated that growth would slow to a mere 1.2% this year. At least it’s still a positive number.

Back to my train of thought – while we may be insulated to some extent we are going to suffer some form of knock on effect. It’s unavoidable in my opinion since we live in a global village and need to trade with other countries. If they buy less, we sell less. US President Obama in his stimulus package has (I believe) introduced a “buy American” clause to encourage Americans to purchase US products rather than foreign ones.

What has this go to do with self defense? I think we could be impacted in similar ways to those highlighted in the SkyNews report:

1) If jobs are lost more folk will become desparate (and we South Africans don’t have a social welfare system to fall back on – well at least not one of any value)
2) If more people become desparate, more may turn to crime.
3) If more turn to crime, there will, of necessity, have to be more victims.
4) If there are more victims then the odds of you having to confront a criminal go up.

I hope I’m wrong – but what if I’m not?

What to do?

As in all things – take responsibility for yourself! Don’t fool yourself into believing that “others” have the responsibility to protect you. Empower yourself. Gather the necessary knowledge and skills because you may very well need to rely on yourself.

Training is like banking – it provides a nest-egg for those rainy days. So ask yourself – am I the prudent chap who squirrels away a nugget of knowledge and a smattering of skills in the hope I never need them, or will I find myself in need. Survival overdraft so to speak.

The choice, as always, is yours!

Why not check out our programs – ProAct, the definitive crime awareness and avoidance strategy seminar, our self-defense and rape avoidance workshops and improve your chances today!

Stay Safe!

This is a topic near and dear to my heart.

I think there is a fundamental difference in the way boys and girls are brought up.

Boys are often taught (especially by their macho Dad’s) not to cry, to do “manly” things like rough and tumble sports, to look after themselves in school-ground fisticuffs, and lets be honest most of us guys, as boys, played at cops and robbers or cowboys and indians and ran around brandishing sticks or toy guns!

On the other hand our sisters were encouraged to play quietly, to behave like little ladies, to stay clean and to cuddle dolls and teddy bears, for whom they organized picnics and tea partys!

OK, before you shoot me down I know there are those of you who as the exception prove the rule. But I think my view is generally true and accepted.

In later life, we as adults are often saddled with labels – the lady in the relationship is the home maker, wife and mother and the man is the provider and protector.

As times change roles have become reversed and more and more women are choosing careers, either because they desire their independance or sometimes out of financial necessity.

No matter the reason, more and more women are making their own way in the world (which I think is marvelous by the way!)

However it also means that these wonderful women are coming into ever more contact with other people (99% of whom are good) but they also find themselves increasing drawn into less-than-desirable situations. Some of these are merely uncomfortable and some downright dangerous.

It is for these few but potentially dangerous situations that all women should prepare – not because they are profits of doom and gloom but simply because it is prudent to take precautions.

Sadly most of the women that I come into contact with during the course of my training sessions don’t believe that they could prevail in an encounter with a bigger, stronger, meaner assailant.

Now I’m the first to admit that it may not be easy, but if you give up before you even begin then you certainly have failed and will never prevail.

For that reason (amoungst others) I deem it vital that ladies attend some form of self defense classes – they don’t have to cater specifically to women, although it may be easier to begin in an all-women environment.

With a little practice under expert instruction, many women begin believing that they do indeed have a chance to defeat an attacker and with this belief comes and awesome transformation that is a pleasure to behold!

If you ever wondered whether you should attend women’s self defence classes, think no more. Honestly, go to a class near you (or organize a private workshop for you and your friends) and empower yourself. It truly is a worthwhile experience!

Why not check out our programs – ProAct, the definitive crime awareness and avoidance strategy seminar, our self-defense and rape avoidance workshops and improve your chances today!

Stay Safe!

On a recent visit to the African Bush, in Big Five Country, I was confronted by the ebb and flow of raw, unmasked energy as well as it’s various manifestations and it reminded me how important reading that energy becomes in life and death encounters with criminals and those seeking to do you harm.

Let me tell you a brief story: It was late afternoon and we were on-board our game viewing vehicle together with a host of folk and our vastly experienced game-guide.

We came across a lone Elephant bull who was peacably standing in a clearing and eating.

Not one to pass up such an oportunity our guide brought us to within several meters of the enourmous and majestic creature.

At our approach the Elephant lifted his trunk smelled the air and listened attentively . After a moment or two, content that we were not a threat and were not too close, the Elephant went back to his grazing and to all intents and  purposes ignored us. The feeling or energy emanating from our group as well as from the Elephant was one of calm.

After a few minutes the Elephant turned its back on us and our guide re-positioned the vehicle to give us a better view of the animal, and in doing so also brought us a fair deal closer to the Elephant. Once again the animal seemed unperturbed and all was calm and serenity.

…until the wind shifted and brought our human smell right into the Elephant. His demeanour changed instantly, he stopped eating, flapped his ears and appeared to lift himslef to his full height and he charged!

The flow of energy was as dramatic as it was real – anger on the part of the Elephant, fear on the part of those on the game vehicle. Although this was a mock charge the message was clear and the energy palpable!

And therein lies the lesson.

All things are enegy and mood and intention have an affect on energy, turning it into something very real and almost tangible. So too in confrontations in which an aggressor intends harm to another. His (or her) energy has to alter its state, the energy has to be “up” and this can be perceived.

This perception of the altered state of energy should be a source of study to all who wish to train to survive because not reading the energy, or mis-reading the energy can indeed have dire consequences, while correctly identifying and interpreting energy can be of enourmous value in your defensive strategy.

Why not check out our programs – ProAct, the definitive crime awareness and avoidance strategy seminar, our self-defense and rape avoidance workshops and improve your chances today!

Stay Safe!

There seems to be an inverse relationship between mastering self defense techniques and the physical strength or effort exerted by martial artists and self defense practitioners. The older, wiser and more experienced the practitioner, the less the effort, and the younger, less experienced the practitioner the greater the physical effort exerted!

I was watching an interesting program on jiu-jitsu and judo the other evening and it struck me how effortless the moves of the masters seemed to be. In contrast the less experienced players needed much more physical effort to achieve the same results.

Take throws for example. When correctly executed, by angling the attackers body correctly, by using the attackers momentum against them and by using natural levers and fulcrums a smaller, lighter, “weaker” opponent effortlessly threw a heavier, bigger attacker with devastating effects.

It highlighted my own experiences, both as a student and a teacher that younger, less experienced practitioners are hasty to mimic the results of their instructors instead of focusing on the action (the technique). Too much emphasis in placed on looking good and the focus is on the end result regardless of how it’s achieved.

Typically, less experienced players are younger and generally physically stronger. As we age, our physical strength and stamina are likely to wane, and then perfect (or near perfect) technique becomes ever more important.

Now, lets not discount physical ability when it comes to self defense – because it matters big time! There is no doubt that physical fitness – speed, strength, stamina play an important role in self defense. If you can outlast your opponent, or are stronger or faster then you have an edge from the get-go.

So, both aspects need attention but perhaps we need to separate these issues in order to stay focused. When in the gym lets focus on the strength, speed, stamina, but when in the training hall lets concentrate on learning (or even teaching) proper technique – timing, distance, angles, momentum, leverage.

When in a real-world self defense scenario you would certainly use both – great technique plus your strength, speed and stamina and then you truly have the best possible chances of success.

Why not check out our programs – ProAct, the definitive crime awareness and avoidance strategy seminar, our self-defense and rape avoidance workshops and improve your chances today!

Stay Safe!

However here lies the problem. By its very nature training is “artificial” – that’s why it’s called training. OK, I guess that seems obvious but my point is this: Every student must develop eyes that see and should not be scared to question what they have been shown. If the techniques don’t seem to work you owe it to yourself to say so.

If they do work (and they should) then all good and well.

As I said earlier training, by its nature, is artificial and it remains the responsibility of instructor and student to make it as “real-world” as possible. That means for example that when learning defences against a knife attack the knife should be dealt with and trained with “as-if” it were real, although it may actually be wooden or plastic.

In the same way students should practice with spirit and energy to avoid what can best be described as “dead” training. That meaningless task of merely going through the motion, doing the technique half-heartedly.

There is a flip side to this coin. Trying to make it too real when either the instructor or the student (or both) aren’t truly proficient enough. Just recently I heard news reports of a student being shot in the abdomen while being taught firearm disarm techniques. OK that sure was “real-world” but in truth is counter productive to the student, the class and the instructor no matter how “real-world” the training was sold as!

Lastly, many a soldier has said that their training never adequately prepared them for the real thing. That’s intersting because they fall back on their training time and again – and it’s the best that can be done for them ahead of time. Interestingly most will actually do what they were taught. What I suspect they mean is that no training environment could fully prepare them mentally for the life and death reality of the situation.

My martial arts teacher once asked the Grand Master of our art how long should be spent in basic training – to which the reply was “it depends!” When pressed on what he meant by “it depends” the Grand Master clarified his statement by saying that in peace time one could dedicate an entire lifetime to basic training – but in times of war training may be as little as a week or two, if you were lucky!

Stay Safe!

No doubt you are wondering what the Olympics, hosted thousands of miles from here, has to do with self defense lessons in South Africa? Don’t worry I won’t keep you in suspense for too long!

If you managed to watch at least some of the Olympics on TV then you will no doubt agree with me that we were privilaged to see the worlds finest athletes in action – and my impression was that many Olympic and World Records came tumbling down.

What astounded me (and here we are getting to the heart of the self defense message) was the disparity between the Gold Medal winners and the last-placed person in the finals…never mind the heats or qualifying rounds!

Now I find this last point quite intriguing if I consider:

A) The time, effort and dedication to training an Olympic athlete demonstrates; &
B) The great lengths that the Olympic Committee go to to ensure a level playing field. No one should receive any advantage and competition must take place within the rules. Obviously this also means that athletes are screened for drugs and other performance enhancing substances.

Thank you for bearing with me thus far -  I believe I have set the scene sufficiently to highlight the key self defense lessons that watching the Olympics reminded me of.

Unlike the Olympics:

1) In real-world self defence there are no judges and committee’s to ensure that everyone fights fair!
2) The criminal will do everything to gain an advantage – from superior numbers to drugs and alcohol to make them meaner and stronger.

Just like the Olympics:

1) Career criminals train! (And average Joe Citizen doesn’t).

In order to survive you must:

A) Cultivate the correct mindset;
B) Acquire the necessary knowledge;
C) Train.

Let me leave you with one final thought.

You may train with passion, energy and dedication – and just like the unfortunate Olympian – you may not win the race…but I can virtually guarantee you one thing and it is this; if you fail to train you won’t even make it to the games!

You want to survive? You must train! Will it ensure victory? Maybe not – but failure to train is a certain recipe for a self defense disaster!

Stay Safe!

Berthold Schwarz, a Germanic Monk is widely accredited with the mixing of “Schwarz Pulver” or black powder in Europe. This explosive mixture of charcoal, sulphur and saltpeter was used in an upturned bell by the Hungarian Janos Urban, who covered the bell-mouth with a rock and filled in the gaps before lighting a fuse. The result – a crude cannon which flung a stone ball into a nearby field!

The city of Constantinople stood surrounded by two 8m high walls with 112 towers each 20m tall and overhanging a moat-like ravine, built ca. 453 AD by Emperor Theodosius II it was the Capital of the Byzantine Empire.

Under the rule of Emperor Constantine XI Dragases the city of Constantinople was the destination to which a much excited Master Urban rode, with plans for his new-fangled contraption – a siege cannon!

Unfortunately for Master Urban, he was not well received! Fuming at the rejection and convinced of the military importance of his contraption Master Urban looked across the water for other takers.

His meeting with Sultan Mahomet II was met with great excitement, the Sultan having had designs on conquering Constantinople since he first laid eyes on the city during his childhood.

Master Urban was asked to demonstrate his cannon and following the successful sinking of a Venetian galley anchored in the Bosphorus was showered with praise and gifts by his new master – Sultan Mahomet II.

Excited by the prospect of this new super-weapon Sultan Mahomet II prepared to lay siege to Constantinople! He massed an enormous army numbering in excess of 150 000 men.

Emperor Constantine, aware of the imminent assault called his men to arms – but only a paltry 4900 of a male population of 100 000 heeded the call.

A further 3000 mercenaries were hired from Genoa under Condottiere Giovanni Giustianini – possibly one of the finest soldiers of the time, and soon made Captain-General of the Constantinople forces and in charge of the city’s defence.

The famous and ancient church of St. Sophia was filled with the citizenry praying for their well being. However, aside from lighting a few candles they did nothing!

When in April 1453 the siege-assault finally began Master Urban’s cannon were deployed. Some of these super-guns required 400 men and 60 oxen to serve, were capable of firing 6 or 7 times a day (the barrel needed to cool after each shot, and due to the enormous and uncontrolled recoil the cannon needed to be re-aimed).

Despite the huge impact caused by these projectiles the walls showed little signs of collapse, which infuriated Sultan Mahomet II, until Master Urban suggested concentrating the cannon fire at the exact same spot in the wall – and very soon results began to show.

Impatience led Sultan Mahomet II to storm the breaches opened by the cannons before they were wide enough to leverage an advantage from his far superior numbers. The defenders were able to repel many attacks and hastily repaired breaches with any material at their disposal, including roof timber from near-by houses and palaces.

After many days of continuous bombardment new breaches began to show in the outer walls and Mahomet again decided to attack. He sent wave after wave of his bashi-bazouk (an ill disciplined and ill equipped mob) against the defenders. When they were defeated he ordered provincial levies, the Anatolians into the attack.

Finally he threw 15 000 elite janissaries into the fray. They too were routed by the defenders in the peribolas (the space between the outer and inner walls).

The valiant defenders managed to turn three consecutive attacks by the janisseries but it was taking its toll! Their numbers were dwindling and most were near or past the point of total exhaustion. Nevertheless it appeared as if they would manage to repulse another attack when it came, however…

A slum-dweller and grave robber was caught outside the city’s walls by a Turkish sentry and, grovelling for his life promised, to reveal a deadly secret. There was one weak point in the city’s double wall: Only a single wall surrounded the Palace of the Porphyrogenitus. Next to the Palace and hidden from view, located in a bend in the double Theodius wall was a small gate – the Kerko Porta.

This door had been walled up a quarter of a century earlier and then forgotten, except by beggars and thieves who had removed some of the stones creating a gap wide enough for a person to enter the city undetected.

So it was that 50 elite janisseries gained entrance to the city and caught the defenders from behind, trapped between the inner and outer walls. The surprise was complete!

While that is not quite the end of the story, it was during a counter offensive by Emperor Constantine that he was hacked from his horse. Those near him were thought to have heard him cry out the words of Jesus Christ on the cross “Eloi! Eloi! Lama Sabactani?” – My Lord! My Lord! Why has’t thou forsaken me?

I hope you enjoyed the story, but we no longer live in 1453, right?

Correct, but in many ways our mindset is identical to those of the citizens of Constantinople so many years ago!

So lets look at what lessons the fall of Constantinople holds for us
today:

1) How different might the outcome have been had the “Wise” men in Constantinople not sent Master Urban and his cannon design packing? Conventional wisdom therefore dictates that in war-time (and yes we are in a war) you don’t turn down any advantage – if someone offers you an advantage take it! If someone offers good advice – heed it!

2) Although they were faced with being vanquished – and losing all their possessions and perhaps even their lives (many of Constantinople’s populace were killed, 50 000 became slaves to their new masters, and many girls and women were sold off into harems and w h o r e houses). Had all (or most) of the 100 000 male population heeded the call to arms the outcome may have been different. So when the time comes (and it’s here in my opinion) for you to stand up and be counted then stand up! Be Counted!

3) The citizens of Constantinople hired mercenaries to fight on their behalf – and it failed them. Today we still use “mercenaries” in the form of armed response companies. If they fail, as they often do, then you alone bear the consequences exactly like the citizens of Constantinople so long ago.

4) The neglected back door, which played a major part in the downfall of the city, is another case in point. We need to pay attention to the small details – the stuff we often overlook. The door we should have locked, but didn’t. The alarm we should have armed, but didn’t. The branches that should have been cut away from the fence, but weren’t.

Make no mistake about it, if there is a vulnerability the criminals will not only find it but they will exploit it too. So pay attention to the “little” things – they are as important as the really big stuff!

Now there is only one question you need to answer (and be brutally honest with yourself) – are you going to stand up, be counted and play an active role in your safety or are you going to bury your head in the sand as the citizens of Constantinople did so many years ago?

The choice and the consequences are yours alone.

Stay safe!