Man you gots some SKILLZ...
SKILL: “the ability to do something well.”
Self-defense training is all about developing a set of important skills that need to be learned, honed and become automatic under the most dire and stress-filled situations possible. This, of course, does not happen overnight. Nor does it happen from taking a “self-defense class” at the local community center.
Time, energy & focus has to be put in. You have to learn the new skills. You then have to apply those skills in context. And finally you have to use these skills in context and under duress. There is a progression of learning.
My point is you can take a self-defense class or seminar but you have to repeat that class/seminar to keep those skills. How often? IMO, on-going classes at least 2x per week is the minimal. Not everyone can do this. I understand. So, if you are time-crunched and are going to do the seminar method, re-taking that seminar is the key. Re-taking it every year (or more often) would be to your best advantage. Oh, and not all seminars are created equal. Too often they are too technical for the average person to retain and use the skills when needed.
TIP: All hope is not lost! The PCC offers both on-going weekly classes and self-defense workshops to help you in this skill acquisition & development!
If you are interested and want to try us on for size…
To Stick or Not to Stick?
I recently posted a video of me practicing a double stick coordination drill called Umbrella-6. Some of the comments I got on this post were missing the point entirely. One person said, “Yeah, I always have some sticks on me when I’m jumped.” Another said, “Just get a gun.” Etc.
Of course I don’t carry sticks with me wherever I go. And of course, a gun is a far superior weapon to a stick in terms of range and lethality. So this begs the question, “Why practice stick fighting?” I’ll give you 3 answers:
The coordination drills are not just about the sticks but about your hands. Internalizing the patterns and moving you hands correctly allows you to use these patterns with any object. That could include a flashlight, a frying pan, a tire thumper, etc. It also translates to unarmed hitting too.
We practice stick fighting realizing that the likelihood of actually fighting someone else with a stick is probably never going to happen. But…Stick fighting speed is typically 3 to 4 x faster than unarmed fighting speed. So we practice stick fighting as a means of reducing our reactionary gap. That is, the by-product of stick training is that we act and react faster.
Learning how to take any bludgeoning object and use it as a means of self-defense with effective and efficient ability to swing and block is a crucial aspect of training. In reality it is just another “tool” in our box that we can use at the appropriate time to protect ourselves if need be. Besides…it’s fun too!
TIP: all weapons are tools - to be learned and utilized in the correct manner when things go south. Learn your tools. Know when which tool is the right one for the job at hand. Need help learning? Then consider us your school of self-defense tools! Come and try us on for size at no cost to you!
Get 2-FREE lessons. Learn more by clicking the button.
Stand Your Ground
I’ll make this brief…nothing good happens on the ground! In a self-defense situation, you want to stay on your feet at all costs. Being upright gives you more options, more mobility and more chances of surviving.
Yes, I know, there are specifics arts that actually go to the ground to fight (BJJ, Judo, Wrestling, etc.) and some these are fantastic arts and have some amazing skill sets to learn. That being said, would you go to the ground to fight if you were on gravel, in snow or in a men’s room??? Would you go to the ground if your attacker was more than one person? Would go to the ground if you were defending against an attacker who was armed?
Look, knowing what to do IF you end up going down vs. choosing to go down to fight is a big difference.
Ring tactics are not the same as street tactics. Stay on your feet and stand your ground.
Give us a try! Get 2-FREE lessons now. Click the link to learn more...
PRODUCT REVIEW: Elite Sports Pro MMA Glove
So a month or two ago Elite Sports/Born Tough reached out to me and asked if I would review a product of theirs that they sell. I said sure. I was very excited to try out their Pro Style MMA gloves. Below is the video review of these gloves.
So a month or two ago Elite Sports/Born Tough reached out to me and asked if I would review a product of theirs that they sell. I said sure. I was very excited to try out their Pro Style MMA gloves. Below is the video review of these gloves.
In short, we give our full endorsement to these gloves. The quality and product that you receive for the cost ($21.99) is outstanding.
Pick yours up today! Check out the Pro MMA Glove on Elite Sports.
6 Staggering Benefits of a Regular Morning Walk
Morning walk has been known to hold many benefits for human beings for ages. When I used to be a youngster, I remember this essay used to repeat itself so many times in the exams. But, as a mature adult, I truly wonder that all those years ago there was a purpose to ask pupils to write about morning walks. And yes, there was overwhelming truth accompanying the topic. If you work out in the gym, even then this blog is quite important for you. A morning walk daily will help to maximize your gains!
A morning walk has been known to hold many benefits for human beings for ages. When I used to be a youngster, I remember this essay used to repeat itself so many times in the exams. But, as a mature adult, I truly wonder that all those years ago there was a purpose to ask pupils to write about morning walks. And yes, there was overwhelming truth accompanying the topic. If you work out in the gym, even then this blog is quite important for you. A morning walk daily will help to maximize your gains!
Energizes You for the Day
A brisk walk is highly recommended for all age groups. People who suffer from diabetes are strictly advised to walk briskly for 150 minutes every week. When you walk at a rapid pace, your pulse rate increases. Moreover, your heart starts pumping blood to all your vital organs. As a result, your immune system becomes stronger. Morning walk is a sure-fire way of boosting your energy early on in the day. Not only do your hormonal balances improve, but your mental faculties also become sharp.
Can-do Attitude
Laziness is, in my opinion, the mother of all problems. Procrastination will destroy all aspects of one’s life. From health to love, career to finances, and much more. When you walk in the morning, you develop a can-do attitude. You think about the upcoming challenges in the day and feel motivated to get things done.
Weight Loss
Are you looking forward to losing weight? A morning walk is your ultimate buddy to kick things off then. In the morning, you will be fresh as a cucumber and able to burn a good quantity of calories early on in the day. The more remarkable fact is that your metabolic system will function more smoothly. Don’t forget to take a bottle of water alongside you. Staying hydrated will add to the benefits.
Heart Health
For a healthy heart, making morning walk a part of your lifestyle. You will notice the gains almost immediately, mark my words. If you walk daily in the morning, heart complications will stay miles away from you. Furthermore, high blood pressure and hypertension will never find their way to you. The cherry on top is that your cholesterol levels will always be in control. As far as diabetes is concerned, morning walk will also greatly limit its risks. Studies show that if you walk at the pace of 3 to 4 miles per hour, you will be greatly able to reduce your chances of heart complications. When walking briskly, your heart works a little bit harder. The heart muscle gets to exercise. This makes the heart stronger. The regular but intense relaxations and contractions ensure you enjoy a better health heart. For patients who already have had a heart attack, morning walk will greatly reduce the chances of a second one!
Social Benefits
It’s best to motivate your family members to walk with you too. Take your wife/husband with you, or maybe your kids as well. Inspire your parents to join you in the morning walk. Maybe you can take a friend if your family members are not available. Otherwise, you can befriend somebody who walks in the same area that you do. The good side of it? You guys will be able to share your fitness achievements and advise each other for the better! Social networking as you walk to even help land a new job, find a new friend or form a fitness club. What else do you want!?
Plan Out
A morning walk of 30 minutes is more than enough. During this time you can carefully plan out your activities of the day. Moreover, you can set goals for your gym routine as well. By the way, if you go to the gym as well, the benefits are going to be great. It is advisable to wear appropriate workout clothes both in the gym and a proper tracksuit when you walk. As you plan out your day, you will realize that you can achieve a lot more than you normally do. When you get dedicated 30 minutes to think about the chores of the day and the necessary steps to execute them, rumor has it that your day is going to be fantastic.
Fear
Being afraid is normal. In fact, fear is a base survival instinct that too many times we tend to ignore. When the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, you should pay attention. Something deep down wants you to be ready for whatever is coming.
The question then is
Being afraid is normal. In fact, fear is a base survival instinct that too many times we tend to ignore. When the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, you should pay attention. Something deep down wants you to be ready for whatever is coming.
The question then is are you ready?? Or will you ignore that warning signs and let your fear take full control and paralyze you?
Fear is powerful. It can make you run away. It can make you strong. And it can make you paralyzed. How it affects you though is the real concern.
Click to buy on Amazon.
Yes, I am human. I do feel fear. But I just utilize that fear to my advantage. To me, fear is fuel. I use it to ignite my training. The key point here is that you can feel fear BUT you can also act. Just because you are afraid doesn’t mean that you cannot take actions to protect yourself. You can. And sometimes you must.
True fear is a gift. Use it well.
For more on this subject, I urge all of my students to read “The Gift of Fear” by Gavin de Becker. It is a great book that will serve you well.
Want to learn how to protect yourself even in the face of fear?
Click the button below to start your self-defense training. 3-FREE classes. Try us on for size.
Packing Heat?
Every time I speak about what I do, close-quarter combatives for self-defense, I always get one person in the crowd who comes up to me afterwards and says
Every time I speak about what I do, close-quarter combatives for self-defense, I always get one person in the crowd who comes up to me afterwards and says the following, "I don't need to study self-defense, I have a license to carry."
This is great in that they have taken steps to learn how to use a firearm, legally. This is also totally absurd. Self-defense is about using every tool available to you when you need it. It's not about limiting yourself to only one tool - even if it is a firearm.
Why? Here's a list:
guns jam and can fail
they are dependent on ammo - you have to reload or may also run out
carrying is only 25% of the battle, you also have to be able to draw and fire under pressure
more and more public places do not allow ANY weapon to be on the premises
I am not against learning the proper way to use a firearm.
I AM against thinking that that is the only thing you need to learn and do to protect yourself.
No one way is perfect. No one tool is the end-all-be-all.
Train yourself to excel with everything and anything. I was taught how to turn anything into a weapon. To me, that is more foolproof then just having a license to carry.
Want to start training? Want to learn how to use anything as a weapon?
Click the button below to get 3-FREE lessons!!
Keep Your Eyes on the Goal
Self-defense is not a ring match. There are no rules. There is no referee. It is only you and your attacker(s). That's it!!
Your only goal is to …
Self-defense is not a ring match. There are no rules. There is no referee. It is only you and your attacker(s). That's it!!
Your only goal is to get home - safe & sound - to your family. You have people counting on you whether it be your wife/husband, son/daughter or mom/dad.
Yes, fight back if you have to but then, when you see your chance, get outta there. Do not stay and "duke it out." It's not a contest. It's not about who is better. And don't become the "attacker in reverse." Keep your eyes on the goal and... Just. Get. Home.
Life is better with you in it.
Be safe my friends.
-david
Interested in self-defense classes in Pittsburgh? Try us on for size - FREE. Seriously! No catch. Just click the button and schedule your first FREE self-defense class now.
Boundaries - Drawing the Line
Where is your line? How far will you allow someone to have access to you? In other words, where are your boundaries???
For active self-defense you need to be…
Where is your line? How far will you allow someone to have access to you? In other words, where are your boundaries???
For active self-defense you need to be alert and aware. You need to have a radar around you that - if breached - gives you the signal to be ready. What is your boundary? Hands on you? Grabbing the wrist? Coming within 2 feet of you?
Everyone will have different boundaries. And those boundaries change in regards of the "who" is breaching them. Obviously I will be more lenient if it's a family member vs. a friend vs. a stranger.
That being said, I was always instructed to have my radar up and be ready even if it's a family member crossing the line. I need to be prepared to act - to warn through verbalization and body movement. And if that is not enough and they attempt to do it again, then through quick, decisive action. Action that doesn't always mean fighting; it could be changing my position so that there is interference between them and me. It could be grabbing a friend that I trust to be by my side. Or it could be just removing myself from that situation by leaving all together (if possible). And yes, fighting back as a last resort.
TIP: as you go through your day, create a 3' radar bubble around yourself and start to notice everyone that breaks that boundary. See for yourself if you are comfortable with this or not and adjust that boundary to your satisfaction.
Interested in self-defense classes in Pittsburgh? Try us on for size with 3-FREE classes. Just click the Get Started button below.
The gloves DON'T have it!
Lately I have been meeting a number of women who have started boxing. This is...
Lately I have been meeting a number of women who have started boxing. This is great. Boxing is an amazing art that really teaches you how to use your body weight when you hit and its a great cardiovascular workout.
BUT....is it self-defense?
For a full-time boxer? Yes, it can be.
For the casual practitioner whose main goal is a good workout? A resounding NO.
Why? Gloves.
In a true self-defense situation, you will not be wearing your boxing gloves or underlying wrist wraps. The gloves protect your hands and the wraps protect your wrists. Hitting without these two items is VERY different. The likelihood of you breaking a finger or wrist increases drastically.
You have to practice the way you play.
Check out my video blog on this subject!