Las Vegas Martial Arts Blog

During the World War II era Rosie was not only learning riveting, she was learning self defense. With men away at the frontlines, and many nations the world over facing the real specter of hostile invasion, women’s self defense became a matter of common concern.
In this regard, for a host of societal and other reasons, women shied away (or were enticed away) from using handguns as a means of self defense. Rather, as the decade of the 1940s moved onward, and as the Axis powers seemed perilously close to victory, more and more women enrolled in women’s self defense training programs. These programs focused on teaching women martial arts styled self defense techniques.
With more and more interest in women’s self defense arising in countries such as the United States and United Kingdom, a growing number of females found themselves on tracks towards becoming martial arts instructors. On some level, the martial arts proved to be somewhat of a leveling influence between men and women. Historically, when it came to various types of physical activity, men had at least a perceived advantage over their female counterparts. However, when it came to women’s self defense involving martial arts training, a leveling effect occurred.
Martial arts vaporize the advantage enjoyed by men in other physical and athletic arenas. Therefore, when it came to developing meaningful and useful women’s self defense techniques and practices, martial arts was a natural approach.
As has been mentioned, in rather short speed, women found themselves in the position of teaching others martial arts techniques. In reality, in no other sporting or arena of physical activity have women risen from participants to instructors so quickly as in martial arts during the 1940s. In point of fact, as submission fighting and martial arts became associated with basic training regimens in the United States and the United Kingdom, women began to be called upon to serve as qualified instructors.
As the war drew to an end in the 1945, the connection between women and the martial arts continued. (Many people dismissed the involvement of women in the martial arts during the war years as just a passing fad. However, this conclusion proved to be wrong as women maintained an interest in the martial arts long after the war ended.)
Immediately following the end of World War II, the interest of women in the martial arts was related to an ongoing desire to be prepared to defend against the prospect of a hostile power making a move against their homeland. Cold War fears were quick to replace the battles of World War II.
Eventually, a dual set of interests developed for women interested in the martial arts. On one hand, the martial arts were extremely relevant to women’s self defense. On the other hand, the martial arts rapidly became an effective means for women’s exercise and physical fitness.

About the Author
Jake Ross is an internationally recognized authority on hand-to-hand combat, martial arts and self defense. Jake has researched a multitude of martial arts from around the world and throughout history, but he prefers the realistic combat systems from the late 19th to early 12st centuries. For more information on fighting techniques, visit http://www.combatclassics.com/

Tags: Wing Chun, Kung Fu, Las Vegas Kung Fu School, Las Vegas Wing Chun School, Lo Man Kam, Lo Man Kam Wing Chun, Martial Arts Self Defense

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When I started training Jiu-Jitsu as a system for Self Defense, it became very apparent to me that the students did not take their personal Fitness to a level anywhere near that of competitive Martial Artists or Fighters. Having a competitive Boxing and contact Karate background made me far more conscious of my fitness than many of the people around me. There is not that same goal of getting into tip top condition for an upcoming fight or Tournament because that goal is often preparing for a fight on the street that hopefully would never happen. It is very difficult to sustain a very high level of fitness without a specific goal. Therefore, it is important for the average Student to set their own goals and take their level of fitness to whatever they feel is required for their own situation. Remember why you are training and consider if your fitness will carry you through a real fight, especially if it goes on for more than a few seconds as it most likely will.

Try walking into your local Boxing Club and you’ll be punched by the smell of Sweat on as soon as you walk through the door. The whipping of skipping ropes, rattling of Floor ceiling balls, speed balls, thudding on light and heavy bags, people doing sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups, shadow sparring and Sparring with their training Pals. The general level of energy is simply impressive. These guys train hard for a couple of hours each night, so then ask yourself; “What kind of match would I be”? Some people have trouble showing their techniques on a compliant partner so are they really going to work on a guy that’s continually pounding them with 3 and 4 punch combinations, dancing around on his toes and can probably keep this up for quite some time.

“I’ll just take him to the ground” you might think but how are you going to react when you’ve been hit hard, maybe even for the first time and your mind has gone blank. Have you trained so much that instinct takes over and your body is reacting automatically? If this guy throws anything other than the right arm swing that your practices have been limited to, you could well be in trouble. This guy may not be a drunken bum throwing a single Hay Maker, trouble can pop up anywhere. These days Road rage for example is even becoming pretty common, here you’ve got someone who steaming from the ears and could really be anyone from any background, trained or untrained. Ensure that in training you have different partners and vary the level of intensity.

You don’t need to train full-on all the time with your techniques but every now and again raise it to a realistic level, it will not only give you an inner confidence that this stuff really works but will give you more of a workout too. If we trained full-on all the time then many would get injuries and you’ll end up having no one to train with. If necessary get your attacker to wear padding to reduce that risk of injury at that higher level. Think for a moment about those guys getting trained up for an upcoming Kick Boxing Match, a full contact Karate fight, Judo or wrestling. They know that if they do not get into Prime condition for that fight, then it’s likely that they’ll get their Ass kicked soon after climbing through the ropes. Needless to say most are pretty well prepared cometh the day.

It’s not to say that you have to get to that level of fitness and keep it all year round but be aware that these guys tick over most of the year with a reasonable level of fitness and then train hard, real hard, during the 5 to 7 weeks leading up to a fight. Attending a class a couple of times per week and practicing your techniques is great for getting your techniques sorted out but take your own Fitness Training into your own hands. Try working on your Stamina, Strength, speed, flexibility etc outside of classes. If you’re going to wear a Club emblem, then wear it with pride and live up to the expectations that other people have of Jitsuka. There is only an hour or two for classes so much of the time has to be taken up practicing and perfecting techniques so make an effort to get some fitness training outside of Jiu-Jitsu classes.

Whatever level you’re at now, try taking your body to that next level of fitness, you may even get to like it! At least you know exactly what it took and what it feels like to be there and get all the benefits that go with it. When you are punching those bags just try to simulate fighting conditions by raising and lowering the tempo. When you go hard, really go for it, when you lighten up think about your defence, movement and striking technique and don’t let up on your speed. Use different strikes; fist, open hands, sides of hands, elbows, knees, shins and feet. Know what it feels like to hit a solid object, otherwise the first thing that you break could be your wrist. Practice striking in combinations, it’s a far better way of getting through to your intended target.

The more you practice your own striking techniques, the more natural they begin to feel and the more instinctively you will react. Don’t just be a head hunter either and give some thought to the many other effective targets that are available. Sparring and grappling is also an essential part of training so do not neglect it. Even if you cannot follow a schedule as laid out here, remember that doing something has got to be better than doing nothing. You are responsible for your own Fitness and Health. We all know that Boxers get themselves into incredible shape for a fight so it should make sense to at least do some of what they are doing and change it as required to suit your style.

A typical simplified boxing type of workout could involve the following:

15 minutes Skipping or running

10×3 min rounds Punch Bag/ Ball work (Hands and Feet)

3×3 min rounds on focus pads with trainer

3×3 minute rounds of Sparring

Shadow sparring (Wear heavy Gloves)

Static exercises: (10 Reps of each) Sit up Twist Push ups Squat Jumps Burpees Squat Jumps Squat Thrust Knees – Chest Pike Sit Ups Sit Ups Dorsal Raises

Repeat Static exercises

Repeat Static Exercises again if you’ve got anything left

Warm down with a few rounds of skipping and stretching

**This type of workout is to be repeated several times throughout the week and remember, if you are cheating on your training then the only person that you’re cheating on, is yourself**

Train Hard / Fightwize

By Malcolm Bale – 2nd Degree Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu

http://www.fightwize.com/Instructors.htm

Alberta Self Defence run classes and courses for Men, Women and Children. Learn Escape Techniques, Targeting and Striking, Ground Defence, Keychain Defence, Take Downs and Hold Downs. See http://www.fightwize.com/Self-Defence-Courses.htm

2005, fightwize.com

You may reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.

http://www.fightwize.com

Alberta_self_defence@yahoo.ca

Tags: Wing Chun, Kung Fu, Las Vegas Kung Fu School, Las Vegas Wing Chun School, Lo Man Kam, Lo Man Kam Wing Chun, Martial Arts Self Defense

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There are as many approaches to self-defense as there are reasons why people study it.

What are YOUR reasons and what approach are YOU using? How confident are you that your efforts will produce the results what you want?

What is it about self-defense that interests you?

You must be looking for something or you wouldn’t be reading this, right?

Some people learn self-defense to defend themselves from the violent actions of others! Duh!!!) They want to satisfy the essential need for security and control.

Others are after self-confidence and an improved self-image.

Then there are those who don’t care much about “fighting” at all. They’re just looking for an enjoyable, functional and “cool” way to get into great shape.

Maybe you’re after “ALL OF THE ABOVE.” (like me Well then keep reading friend… because I’ve got some thoughts to throw at ya…

===== Two Approaches To Self-Defense =====

There are two broad categories of self-defense information. Whether they spell it out or not, all self-defense books, articles, classes and seminars are based on one or both of two “themes”… a MENTAL APPROACH or a PHYSICAL APPROACH.

The “Physical Approach” is based on “EFFICIENCY.” It pursues physical skill development as a self-defense solution. It involves learning punches, kicks, grappling and defensive techniques. Although avoiding a physical altercation is given “passing attention,” EXACTLY how to do that is often glazed over or not addressed at all.

Whether you enroll in a martial arts class, sign up for a self-defense seminar or join a boxing club, the focus is to teach you how to physically perform “fight-related” techniques.

“Fitness-based” training, such as Tae Bo, Cardio Kickboxing and Boxercise also fall in this category.

The assumption here is that your BODY is your weapon and the harder you train and the better you get at performing self-defense techniques, the safer and more capable you will be to defend yourself.

The “Mental Approach” is based on “Effectiveness.” It is focused on “PersonalSafety” theories, concepts and strategies.

This theory-based approach involves gaining an understanding of predatory situations; how they happen, how they can be anticipated and recognized, how they can be avoided and how to respond if you encounter one.

Your BRAIN is considered your most powerful self-defense weapon, and this training (hypothetically) makes you “SMARTER” and more capable of wise decisions in the stress and chaos of threatening situations.

“Efficiency and Effectiveness” What’s the Difference?

Perhaps the point I am trying to make will be clearer if we come to a common understanding of exactly what I mean by these two terms. Before you read on… think for a moment and come up with your own definition of these terms… Done? Here’s mine…

————————————————-
Efficiency Is Doing Things Right

Effectiveness Is Doing The Right Things
————————————————-

Can you see the difference? I hope so, because it’s HUUUUUUUUUUUUGE!!!! Here’s how those terms relate to self-defense training.

===== The Physical Approach To Self-Defense ======

The Physical Approach involves learning and practicing physical skills “efficiently.” The faster, more coordinated, more powerful your striking, kicking, grappling and defensive techniques are, the more “successful” you consider yourself.

There are many self-defense courses that deal exclusively with learning techniques, with and without training partners, as a TOTAL solution for all your self-defense problems.

Now don’t get me wrong… I’m not criticizing this approach in any way. I teach physical skills classes and seminars myself.

Learning physical skills can dramatically improve your odds of surviving and escaping a violent situation. It can even reduce the probability of being confronted or attacked.

If done properly, on a regular basis (which I highly recommend), self-defense conditioning and skills training like sparring or hitting a heavy bag, will provide a ton of physical, mental and emotional benefits.

BUT is the exclusive practice of techniques a sufficient “self-defense solution?”

===== Benefits Of The Physical Approach =====

Physical skills training is a GREAT way to get in shape and stay there. If properly done, ongoing self-defense training is a fun and functional, full-body workout.

The self-confidence, fitness, and athletic qualities gained through regular self-defense training will have a positive influence on your “victim profile” (behavior and body language) that you project to a potential predator. It can decrease the probability of being targeted. (Dirt bags don’t pick fights with people they perceive are likely and capable to fight back)

Unlike “single-exposure” self-defense training (where you learn a technique once and never practice it again,) ONGOING self-defense training is proactive.

Regular self-defense training “rewards” you in many ways, even if you NEVER have to defend yourself.

Regular self-defense training “defends and protects” you against more probable and legitimate “threats” to your life, your health and well-being. You are at more risk from poor lifestyle habits and a lack of exercise than you are from a mugger or rapist.

===== Drawbacks to a Physical Only Approach =====

If you limit your self-defense efforts exclusively to physical skills training, you also limit your response options in a volatile situation. You are limited to a “Fight/Don’t Fight” decision. There are more ways to resolve a volatile situations than that (there are 5 actually). Doing the “wrong thing” well (like fighting when you don’t have to) can get you injured, arrested or sued.

Regular self-defense training makes you feel great. You’ll feel confident, energetic and fit. (so how is that a drawback?) Don’t make the mistake of over estimating your potential of defeating an attacker and end up over your head in an encounter with someone who is tougher, meaner and more malicious than you are.

Don’t think that your weekly cardio-kickboxing class has turned you into a “trained killer!”

Even the “best” fighter will be dropped like a bag of dirt if he or she doesn’t develop appropriate awareness and avoidance skills and is caught off guard. Physical skills don’t protect you from unanticipated acts of violence.

===== The Mental Approach To Self-Defense =====

The Mental Approach addresses the “big picture” of predatory situations. In my self-defense system for example, there are “SEVEN” separate and interrelated aspects of a comprehensive personal safety or self-defense system.

The intent of this mental approach is to make you “smarter” and more capable of avoiding, diffusing and responding EFFECTIVELY by doing the RIGHT THINGS in a volatile situation. By the “RIGHT THINGS,” I’m referring to the most effective response strategies to successfully resolve a threatening or volatile situation.

Fighting back with physical self-defense techniques is only part of staying safe.

===== Benefits Of The Mental Approach =====

An accurate understanding of the dynamics of predatory situations increases the odds of anticipating, avoiding, recognizing and responding to them. The “best” result to a violent encounter is not when you manage to fight your way out of it. It’s when it doesn’t happen in the first place!

Not all volatile situations can be solved by fighting. Effectiveness in a self-defense situation allows you to assess and evaluate the circumstances and select the most effective response strategy to implement to gain or regain control.

A sense of control that accompanies proper mental training decreases the stress and fear associated with volatile or predatory situations. And that increased sense of control and self-confidence can reduce the potential of being victimized.

===== Drawbacks To A Mental Only Approach =====

An “information-only” approach does not significantly change the body language that you project to a potential assailant. Although some self-defense instructors imply that you can “fake” non-victim body language by walking briskly, standing straight, and “pretending to be confident.” That will only go so far. Pretending to be coordinated, strong and physically fit is easier said than done.

Knowing the best response option in a given situation, be it running away or fighting back, is of little value if you can’t successfully pull it off. If you haven’t developed your skills and fitness levels by ongoing self-defense practice, how likely are you to out-run or out-fight an assailant?

===== One OR The Other Is Incomplete =====

You’ve probably figured out by now that ONE OR THE OTHER of these two approaches is an incomplete approach to being able to defend yourself. An optimal strategy is to combine and balance your ability to make smart, effective decisions with the ability to carry those decisions through to a successful conclusion. BOTH mental AND physical elements are required for optimal self-defense success.

Be effective first, then be efficient. A medical equivalent might be to “Diagnose First The Perscribe.” To successfully resolve a volatile situation, you need sound judgement to decide on the best course of action AND the physical skills and ability to implement your game plan.

The degree to which you pursue each approach has a lot to do with your capabilities, limitations and the goals you have in relation to your study of self-defense.

If you are smaller, weaker, older for example, your emphasis should lean more toward personal safety strategies and be supplemented with physical skills training. If your self-defense goals are simply to avoid victimization and to stay out of trouble, then learn everything you can about the dynamics of volatile situations.

On the other hand, maybe you are fit, athletic and skillful. Perhaps you already train regularly and feel capable of “holding your own” if you have to defend yourself. If thats the case, here are a couple pieces of advice to consider:

There’s always someone tougher and meaner than you are! Even highly skilled fighters and martial artists need awareness and avoidance skills. Physical techniuqes are of little value if you are set up, sucker punched, or ambushed. NOBODY wins a fight. You may defeat your adversary and “still” be injured yourself. Also, just because you didn’t instigate the confrontation doesn’t mean that you won’t find yourself being criminally charged or civilly sued for defending yourself.

The point I’m trying to make is that the BEST approach to self-defense training is to learn to do the right thing by learning everything you can about the dynamics of predatory situations AND engage in regular self-defense training so that you can “do things right” by developing the skills and conditioning to carry out a desired self-defense strategy.

===== Two Approaches? Two Resources! =====

The questions I get by email and in person, can be divided into two clear categories… “What-Should-I-Do-If…questions” and “How-Do-I…questions.” Or in otherwords effectiveness and efficiency.

It is because of these different but complimentary aspects of self-defense that I’ve decided to “split” the focus of my web sites so I can address each in greater detail.

I’m in the process of restructuring of my web sites to assist you in finding the information you are looking for.

http://www.ProtectiveStrategies.com will continue to be “home base” for my self-defense articles and newsletter. The site will maintain a “Get Smart Focus” by dealing with the Big Picture of personal safety concepts and will address all seven components of self-defense:

=> Self-Defense Psychology
=> Self-Defense Intelligence
=> Victim Selection
=> Predatory Recognition
=> Self-Defense Response Options
=> Prevention and Avoidance
=> Self-Defense Training Methods

My new site, http://www.ToughenUp.com/ takes the “Get Tough Focus” of the seventh component: Self-Defense Training Methods to the next level. It provides specific “how-to-train” resources and advice for people who want to incorporate ongoing self-defense training for a variety of reasons.

Randy LaHaie
Protective Strategies

Randy LaHaie is the president of Protective Strategies and has been teaching reality-based self-defense for over 30 years. He is the author of several “Toughen Up Combative Training Guides” (http://www.ToughenUp.com)

Subscribe to his FREE SELF-DEFENSE NEWSLETTER at http://www.ProtectiveStrategies.com

Tags: Wing Chun, Kung Fu, Las Vegas Kung Fu School, Las Vegas Wing Chun School, Lo Man Kam, Lo Man Kam Wing Chun, Martial Arts Self Defense

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Contemplating a method of protection is a very serious undertaking. If you are considering such a purchase you need to evaluate your options very carefully. When selecting a tool for self defense the first thing is to consider your own level of strength. For example, a tool that requires minimal strength such as a stun gun would be ideal for a small woman, whereas someone confident in their strength may be more drawn to items such as batons.

A baton is a very simple and effective tool. In the most generic form it is a blunt stick that is used for close contact defense. There are a wide variety of batons on the market that vary in length and offer different features. For example, an asp baton is a lightweight and conspicuous tool that can be comfortably carried. This added consideration for comfort allows citizens to carry an effective self defense tool without drawing attention to themselves.

The baton you choose should have an easy to grip, no slip handle so that it can be wielded effectively with agility. It is also important that the baton have a low profile appearance so it does not announce itself to the attacker. Finally, the baton should not have any sharp edges that could cut you, the assailant, or an innocent bystander. Your goal is to defend yourself long enough to get away to safety and a blunt baton will achieve this effectively without resorting to permanent damage.

One of the most important effects of any self defense tool is the deterrence effect. It has been said over and over again that criminals are cowards and they look for easy victims. A person who carries a self defense weapon walks with confidence because they know they are safe. In addition, the very site of a tool such as a baton will make the assailant think twice. Why would they attack you and risk injury to themselves when there are hundreds of unarmed victims? Arming yourself sends the message to assailants everywhere that you are not a victim.

When searching for a merchant that carries batons it is important that you seek one who is reputable and abides by national laws. A great place to look is at www.bljsselfdefense.com . This company offers a wide variety of items, including batons, and provides consumers with education on self defense. In addition to the online resources, BLJs Enterprises supplies its customers with personal attention to help ensure that they receive the self defense tool that is right for them.

BLJs Enterprises is a top provider of self defense tools, including batons, in the United States. At their website, www.bljsselfdefense.com , you will find quality products as well as free in-depth information regarding personal protection. Because BLJs Enterprises is dedicated to matching everyone with the right self defense method, customer comments and questions can be directed to the owner, Barry Jenkins himself, at barry@bljsselfdefense.com.

Tags: Wing Chun, Kung Fu, Las Vegas Kung Fu School, Las Vegas Wing Chun School, Lo Man Kam, Lo Man Kam Wing Chun, Martial Arts Self Defense

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