Enter the kubotan!

The what???

The 'kubotan'. You know, those self-defense keychains that look like a spike...
Still have no idea what I'm talking about? 'Kubotan' is a registered trademark of Takayuki Kubota, who developed the device as a tool for police officers in the 1970s. Overall it is a very handy, practical self-defense tool.

quick discalimer: understand that a 'kubotan' is a tool - and all tools are secondary to your main weapon - your mind/heart.

The 'kubotan' is fairly discreet and can be very un-assuming. They can be made out of wood, plastic acetate, & metal (aluminum is common). Most are rod shaped and vary in terms of length, taper, thickness and weight.

Using a 'kubotan' is very natural. However, just like all tools, you should seek proper instruction.

TIP: once you learn the 'kubotan', many everyday items can be substituted for one, such as: pen/pencil; chopsticks; flashlight; smartphone; salt/pepper shaker; screwdriver; etc.

Stay safe!

Notice the View...

Are you aware?

Are you aware of the view around you? From your desk at work? In your seat on the train or bus? How about at your table where you eat lunch each day? Are you aware of the view? Of what's happening around you? Of who is coming and going?

Now I am not saying you have to be paranoid - just present.

TIP: Notice things. Position yourself where you can see things in front of you. Don't sit at a table with your back to the door. Know your entrances and exits. Park your car near a street light and not in the shadows. Try to understand your environment and what compromises it may or may not have.

Be safe!

Have you been compromised?

com·pro·mise - unable to function optimally

Being compromised. What does this mean? I like the above definition: "unable to function optimally." If I am compromised I may not be able to fully defend myself if need be. It implies that some degree of function is still capable but that there is some hindrance. We talked about this in class no too long ago and made a quick list of common compromises:

• business clothing: your everyday clothes may be a hindrance to you; suits, skirts, dresses are confining and restrictive; a necktie is akin to a noose; high heels are a balance risk; etc.
• seasonal items: overcoats; parkas, gloves, snow boots all can hinder your abilities of speed and power
• eyewear: contact lenses can pop out; glasses can fall off or break; either case it creates a compromise of vision
• alcohol: drinking in excess can severely hinder your timing, coordination, judgment, vision, dexterity; etc.
• fatigue/stress: mental or physical fatigue can affect your reaction times and endurance levels
• headphones/MP3 players/phones: one of the most compromising items; headphones put your mind in a tunnel; easily unaware of your surroundings
• packages/bags/purses: a compromise of your hands and arms

TIP: before going out or going to work; know your compromises ahead of time. Can you minimize them? Can you choose not to use an item (headphones) or substitute it for a different item (flats for high heels). Not every case is going to be ideal but understanding your compromises - your weaknesses - is the sign of a wise person.

"Honey, does this make me look compromised?"

Is Your Heart Into It?

kokoro

"Kokoro" is a Japanese term that is commonly translated as "heart". And although this is correct, it's not the entire picture. You see if you ask a translation app or use a dictionary, kokoro also comes up for "mind".

How you may ask?

Think of it like this...you may know, in your mind, that you have to do "X", but if your heart isn't into it, then you're just going thru the motions. Kokoro then is - in my opinion - this alignment of your mind and your heart. It's commitment. Or better yet, intent. 110%.

TIP: when the dirt hits the fan, you better have kokoro on your side. Cause guess what? Asocial, violent aggressors sure do. Most aggressors are not trained. But they excel at intent. They are fully committed to your detriment. How can you equal the playing field? Train to inflict injury. Train with the same intent. 110% commitment can keep you alive when you need it most.

What's in your heart?

You Have the Right To Be Rude...

We are taught from a young age to be nice to people. To help others. To be kind. And this is all true and good. BUT (you see my big but there) this is not what should do when interrupted on the street.

Innocent questions: "Do you have the time?" "Can you spare some change?" "How do I get to the Wayne Tech Building?"

And perhaps the intent behind these questions is also innocent. But what happens when it isn't?

• What happens when it's in the evening/late at night?
• What happens when it's in a parking garage or secluded parking lot?

Chances are the intent behind the question is not so innocent.

Opportunists will use such questions to prey on our social niceties. Expecting us to answer and at the same time be distracted. Their true intent is your purse, jewelry, wallet - or worse - your life. They also may not be operating alone. They may have a partner to do the "dirty work" while you are engaged talking to them.

TIP: Walk with a purpose and an air of confidence. Project confidence. Make eye contact but do not stop your gait. Be rude - I am giving you permission - answer "No" or "I don't know". Never stop your stride. Be prepared.

Early Warning System Works

So here is the situation...
 

It's 8:30 am on a Tuesday morning.
It's overcast, feels like rain.

I get a call as I am getting out of my car to go into a meeting.
I take the call while leaning on the front fender of my car in the parking lot.
During the call I am gazing forward to the shoppes that are in the strip mall in front of me.

I notice a few people and a bench...a thought goes through my mind...maybe I should walk up there and sit on the bench?
I dismiss this as I don't wnat the others around to hear or be bothered by my call. 
I stay at the car.

Then I feel it...an odd feeling of something??
Not alarm, not danger...concern...then I notice him.

Thin, bearded, baseball hat on backwards, messenger bag across his torso, smoking a cigarette, looking at me, walking in my direction. Not just in my general direction...but actually to me. 

Autopilot is engaged.
I stand up, I walk forward doubling his time to me while staying far enought to his right that he can't reach me. I look past him to my objective, the coffee shop where my meeting is to be held. All while ending my call audibly loud enough for him to hear me.
I purposefuly act like he is not there. I continue forward.

I get on the sidewalk enter the coffee shop, I see he is stopped in his tracks. Stunned that I am no longer there. Not sure what to do. He walks around in a circle a bit, does the final drag on his cigarette and moves on.

Event over.
Now, I do not know what he was doing. I do not know if he was just going to ask me for spare change or the time or directions or for a ride. It does not matter. I don't care. It did not feel right. And I didn't want to find out what "his game" was going to be.

My warning system went off. I listened to it and I can now write this.
In either case, I was not going to stay waiting for "X" to happen. I recognized, I acted, I am alive. And I did not have to engage - nobody got hurt.  All good.

Heads Up...

Awareness of your self and surroundings begins with getting your head up!

Out of where or what you may ask?  
Out of your book, your magazine, your MP3 player, your cell phone!!

Yes, that's right. Get your eyes up. Focus on your surroundings not your texts, tweets or FaceBook status. Your life may just depend
on it.

TIP: Avoid using headphones. Headphones seal off the world from you. Don't use them in unsafe areas or at night when going to your car. Use common sense here. And if you run while listening to music, keep your head on a swivel.

It's All in The Hands

Let's cut right to the chase - if you are under attack do what ever you can do to get away. That being said, if you can avoid using your fists/knuckles you are probably going to be better off.

I can hear the cries now, "But David punching is where it's at! And besides, your logo is a fist!" I agree. Punching is fun to practice especially with gloves on when hitting a bag or the focus mitts. But in a real street encounter, I avoid hitting with my fists/knuckles. I have seen too many people miss a real target and end up hitting someone's skull, a wall, or even the ground. The end result is that you can end up blowing out your hands.

TIP - hit with the heel of your palm &/or the edge of your hand. These are some of the densest parts of your body and they can withstand lots of impact. And guess what? You can still throw a jab-cross-hook combo with the palms! Don't know how? Let me teach you!

Let's Get Real!

When it comes to training in the self-defense arts you play the way you practice!
Let me explain.

Imagine practicing baseball but with an imaginary ball. Every grounder, line drive, fly ball, short hop would be a perfect play. Why? Because the ball is imaginary. You're not practicing with live variables. But if you go into the game and throw a real ball in, what's going to happen? Disaster! You're not capable of reading the ball off of the bat, the ground or in the sky. You don't have the skills to manage those plays because you did not practice the way you play - with a ball.

TIP - practice your self-defense the way it will actually happen. You should practice outside in all conditions of weather - yes this includes cold, rain, snow etc. Why? Because it's real. The likelihood of being attacked in perfect circumstances is a dream. Furthermore, you should practice in real clothes and shoes - not a martial arts uniform. Clothing can restrict your movement. Heavy coats and gloves can hamper your techniques. Practice this way so that when an attack does happen, you are prepared, confident and know what to expect. Remember perfect practice, makes perfect!

Play ball!

Use it, Before You Need It

Popular self-defense items are sold everywhere these days. Pepper spray is one the most popular tools that women/men can buy. Why? Easy to carry, easy to use, but....there's a catch.

If you buy pepper spray. You have to practice using it. You have to know it's spray distance/width and it's arming mechanism. Also you need to know how to deploy it from where you have it. Is it in a purse, a backpack, or your pocket? These skills need to be practiced.

TIP:  So you get a BOGO today, (1) practice using your pepper spray by buying a "practice pepper spray" unit. You can get them very cheaply on Amazon and (2) come to the PCC Self-Defense Workshop "Get the Edge" to learn how to use your spray effectively.

Sriracha anyone?