For the Smart Money Cookie

I managed to keep a straight face while replying, No, there are a few colors in between. The naivet© amused me. Yet in fairness, this group of 25 newly-minted yellow belts had been promoted in record timejust six weeks. It had been a special summer program for kids just out of juvenile hall, or expelled from district schools. An experiment.

So, I could see how they might think the whole process would be collapsed. On the other hand, I’d worked them two solid hours a day, four days a week, hour-for-hour at least the equivalent of a traditional program’s three one-hour classes a week for 3-6 months. There was no gimme to it. This kid had conveniently forgotten all the hard work they’d done, although some of the kids around himstill sore, stiff, and blisteredburst into laughter at his question.

Yet I sensed a dark side to this mirthful moment as we stood in the afterglow of our hard-won achievement. Sure, on the surface this student’s comment appeared to be merely a neophyte’s inexperience. But 16 years of working with street-savvy kids kept me from dismissing the pall which had fallen. What was it?

The unsettling feeling lasted a day or two before I could articulate it. And it was this: there was a dangerous assumption underlying the kid’s basic outlook on life. Too often adolescents who have been cut off for long periods from traditional routes to success begin to look for shortcuts. They may feel like failures in one or more areas of their lives: school, socially, sports, dating, or maybe shame over their family or home situation. As I thought it over, the conviction grew that this boy may have actually believed there was an available shortcut. And that was worrisome. Because I’ve found that the more kids find themselves feeling on the outs from success, the more such shortcuts will seem acceptable, even normal.

So what might I take from this episode to make me better at working with and helping kids? I believe this street-wizened teen learned that he would have to work for his martial arts achievementsand maybe others as wellbut also that he could be successful by doing so. He didn’t need a shortcut. He was capable. And as simple as this sounds, there are many, many teens out there who don’t believe they are capable. They may appear normal to adults, or even peers, but many teens feel a sense of deep failure in one or more area of life. What a great challengeand opportunityfor those of us who work with them, whether in the martial arts studio, the classroom, a church or civic setting, or across the dinner table.

Mark Kennedy, M.Ed., twice teacher of the year and nationally-certified black belt instructor, is the author of two books for teachers and parents: Lessons from the Hawk (how to ensure learning for all) and Dance of the Dolphin (creating a learning rich environment). To learn more about your own approach to life and learning, take a free survey at https://great-ideas.org/DolphinMaterials.htm (adults use the LSOS, teacher versionteens can take the LSOS). Or for free articles, surefire ideas for reaching all kids, and helpful links visit www.harmoniouswarrior.com or contact mark@harmoniouswarrior.com.

Maryland home inspectors have most likely been in existance probably as long as houses themeslves. People would often ask someone they knew, such as a parent, builder, or sometimes even a friend, to assess the condition of the property they were hoping to buy, or planning to sell.

Most of the times, that assessment was based on scanty observation, little understanding of the implications of what was important, or someone respected for qualities apart from the building trades. These times were a long time ago, when buildings were simpler, and the techniques used to construct them were much simpler, and as such, evaluations rendered were predictably simple.
That was a long time ago. Times have changed, and as a result, so have the requirements of home inspections. Fundamentally, the main focus of a home inspection is to inform the customer of any major deficiencies in the condition of the home, systems, integral or influencing peripheral parts of the property. We also hold it of importance to include in our reports the points of a property which are good. We know that an educated consumer is more likely to make a good decision. The buyer would be misguided if we only focused on the problems and concerns with a home. Reporting on both the bad as well as the good things about the home is paramount in the decision making process.
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Kendo is a very physical sport and and its practicioners need lots of protective equiptment. The gear include the kendo bogu (armor), the kendo uniform (worn under the bogu; consists of a hakama and G.I.), and the kendo stick/sword (also known as a shinai).

Bogu can be bought at specialized kendo stores, like E-Bogu. E-bogu is known to be one of the BEST sites to buy bogu and other kendo equiptment from. The majority or kendoka buy their equiptment from E-Bogu.

The bogu is comprised of the men (helment), kote (arm guard), do (chest protector), and tare (groin protector).
Kendo, Kumdo, Kenjutsu, kendo bogu

The kendo shinai must be properly taken care of or else it will pose a danger to both you and your opponent. The shinai must be checked for splinters and oiled regularly. This helps keep the shinai from breaking and sending razor sharp shrapnel into you and your opponents faces.

The shinai’s string must also be kept tight. This is to keep the top from slipping off and making the shinai go through your opponents men.

If you think your shinai or bogu are damaged or not safe, do NOT use it and tell your sensei. Help keep your dojo safe for everyone.

International-kendo.com is an up and comming kendo site with a wealth of information.

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Mixed martial arts wear, mma sparring gear, mma gear, mma gear online, mma gear and mma workout clothes are just a few of the streegnths of HouseOfPain. http://www.houseofpain.com has second to none as well as the best mma equiptment, mixed martial arts clothing, as well as all of the gear and apparel that you will require on the street, in the ring, or in the gym. The HouseOfPain website not only features the finnest in gear, workout apparel, and clothing, you can browse our lifting and fighting news departments, in the gym section, other information, links, and events and news pertaining to the weightlifting and mixed martial arts. The House of Pain website sport articles of gyms around the US, a mixed martial arts news blog, weightlifting and strongman news blog, workout information, training information, a body fat calculator, powerlifting federations, mma videos, kg conversion chart, not to mention a section on what equiptment is allowable by which federations. Visit www.houseofpain.com for all of your weightlifting and mma news, clothing, and gear requirements.
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It is my belief that a True Master isn’t found by an achievement of a rank but instead a fulfillment of the mind and body. “Yeah” another philosophy hippy mind and body guy, NO WRONG. I actually hate them people, mostly because they talk about feelings as if they have truly felt it or have been touched, “Ha”. How can you talk about war if you never been in one or seen it close up? How can you talk about raising kids if you don’t have your own? NO, I am a Martial Artist. I have been studying Kenpo and Chin-na’ for 24 years, but it is not my rank for why I write this, it is due to an epiphany I had years ago and have been teaching ever since. Others have had it and hopefully you will realize it to and take that step to becoming a true Master.

In the United States to be called a Master in most styles you have to achieve the rank of 5th degree Black Belt or in other styles an 8th degree. In other countries they might not approve the promotion to master until 10th or 12th degree. Some people just call themselves a Master with no regard to rank. Why? What’s a degree? When you’re on the street does your attacker care if you’re a 1st or an 8th, NO I don’t think so. I don’t even think they stop to ask.

A True Master is one that can react to an aggressor in the most moral and effective way possible in any given situation. They have complete control of the situation before it even becomes a situation. You will never know if you are a true master unless you have been tested in the real world. You will never know if your instinctive ability to react properly in defending yourself will be effective enough. I know every situation is different and therefore every outcome could be different, but you will never know until it happens. A true Master doesn’t have to fight his way through life, he can walk silently then explode if needed.

I have worked in Bars - Night clubs and hung out with the wrong crowd longer than I needed to and during that time I realized what works and what is for show. Most importantly I realized that when I had to fight, I reacted with out thought, with precision strikes and moved fluently like it was written in a book some where. It actually amazed me at first. I was happy but scared at the same time. As time went on the more encounters I had the more fluent and predictable the situation became until I realized what would happen before it happened. Around that same time in my life I was watching a show with Bruce Lee on it, where some one asked him about his skill and experience (mastery). His response was that he is like water. He can take on any form that he is put in to a jar, a pitcher, a cup and in the end he is still the same. At first I didn’t get it but then it hit me. He meant he could adapt to any situation perfectly, like water poring over rocks he will find the most effective way to achieve his out come.

That is a True Master. One, who through true life experiences can say with their heart, that their mind is with out doubt when reacting in any given situation and that their body can fluently move effectively striking or controlling any aggressor in any situation. A master doesn’t stand behind his belt but wears it with pride knowing the power of confidence that his mind and body emulate. Like an awaking of sorts a new glow becomes a master that truly understands what they can do and offer to the world. A feeling of great completion and personal peace is invoked by the understanding of your ability as a master. To quote what Bruce Lee said when he was asked: What does it feel like to be you? He said, “I have this great creative and spiritual force within me. Greater than truth, greater than ambition, greater than confidence, greater than determination, more than vision. It is all these combined and there is no feeling on which these experiences can be compared.” Yeah its like that. That is my belief of what a True Master is. Thank You

My name is Robert Blizzard and I am one of the chief instructors at Dragon Storm Karate Club. We are Based out of Maryland and work with our county’s Park and Rec. Department, our link is
http://www.dragonstormkc.com/

I also have two other sites one that deals with personal training named Combat Specialist and the other is a very helpful internet site for small businesses and web masters called R.B.I.B.inc… http://www.combatspecialist.com/
http://www.rbibinc.com/

Far too many people who are training in the martial arts or in a self-defense program - including police and security personnel by-the-way - take for granted that all they have to do is learn a few tricks and that’s it. When, according to the reality and nature of self-defense, no technique that you’ve learned in a martial arts or self-defense class is perfect in-and-of-itself for the unique situation and circumstances that you will find yourself in when you need it. And…

…that’s okay.

What’s important to learn is this…

…these techniques that everyone hold up as the “holy symbols of their style,”…

…were just passed down from past-generation masters as “examples” anyway!

After you’ve been training for a significant while with a focus on being able to handle a real-world self-defense situation, rather than merely memorizing a preset string of moves for your next belt, what you’ll find is that…

…in your attempt to defend yourself in a given situation and against a unique assailant with his own ‘favorite’ techniques and attack-methods, you will actually be stringing several basic moves together in a moment-to-moment, spontaneous flow. The trick is to know your techniques so well that you can do this in what appears to be an effortless flow from one technqiue or skill to the next.

Just as I pointed out in “The Karate-Myth” there are certain critical pieces missing from the vast majority of training programs. And, it is those key elements that MUST be managed during a physical altercation if you are to walk away with most of you intact.

So, if you really want to be able to use what you’ve learned in a real-world self-defense situation…

…then you must be able to give up your attachment to your “perfect techniques.”

Remember: The only people who believe that any given technique or skill is “perfect” or “unbeatable,” has not been around long enough, or…

…has deluded themselves into believing that training in class, or competing in a tournament, is somehow equivelant to the all-out, adrenalin-triggering, overwhelm that makes you feel like your heart will explode in your chest during the “real thing.”

Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and director of Warrior Concepts International in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. He is the author of the “Foundations of Self-Defense Mastery” eCourse, which is available free of charge to subscribers of his self defense newsletter. You can subscribe to the newsletter at: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/newsletter-subscribe-self-defense.html He is also the creator of the EDR: Non-Martial Arts Defensive Training Program, author of the book, “The Karate-Myth” as-well-as the powerful, “Danger Prevention Tactics” video. Additional information is available by visiting http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com

There are some 30 different martial arts and self defense styles, philosophies and disciplines I teach in my street-fighting classes and seminars.

Each of these moves and skills are extremely simple, fast and easy to learn, no matter how big, small, fat, skinny, smart or slow a person is.

But by far, the most unorthodox of all these different fighting tactics — the one people actually have a hard time believing and taking seriously — is what’s called the “drunken style.”

This is where you fight in a way where you appear to be…well…drunk.

In other words, you move in a clumsy almost baffoon-like way, just like a sloppy drunk guy blindly stumbling out of a bar would move.

And what happens when you do this is…you lull your attacker into thinking he can easily take you down. He thinks you are super uncoordinated and slow. He may even think you are a little mentally off or just plain stupid.

When this happens, when they think you are some buffoon with two left feet, they get over confident — usually even cocky — and leave themselves open to all kinds of different counter attacks by you. In many cases, they won’t even know what hit them.

This is an incredibly effective strategy that’s not talked about very much. But it works like gangbusters when you do it right.

A major pivoting point in my ninjutsu martial arts learning process happened when I realized that there was something more going on than just the punching, kicking, and what-not, that makes up conventional martial arts and self-defense training. In fact, once I saw it happening, my mind shifted away from the typical orientation toward this “style” or that, and started looking beyond the techniques themselves to…

…what was being “done” by each move in a technique string.

The question I began to ask was, “what’s the logic behind the moves?” And, “why are the moves where they are in this particular string?”

And THAT is what the book, “Controlling the Fight: The 5 Keys of Effective Self-Defense Strategy,” is all about.

It’s about understanding and recognizing the keys, or bridges, between one phase…

…one strategic moment…

…in a self-defense situation, and another.

It’s about controlling the “pieces” of a fight-scenario that must be strategically managed in the correct order, and at the correct time, if you are to be successful.

What are these critical moments within the flow of the fight? Let me first tell you what they’re NOT.

They are not…

…when you’re fist makes contact with the surface of your assailant’s body…

…when you lock his joints to immobilize him and prevent him from continuing to fight…

…when you take up your “way-cool” stance…

…the way with which you’ve been taught to hold your weapon, or…

…a hundred other “things” that most books, videos, and schools of martial arts and self-defense focus almost exclusively on.

But, they are not NOT these things either. If you don’t understand what I’m trying to point out here, you won’t see it.

Confused? Don’t be.

The point here is that, behind any move or technique itself - the punch, lock, throw, etc. - there is a “reason” that THAT particular technique is being done at THAT way, and at THAT particular time. There is something that the technique is either doing ‘for’ us or ‘to’ our attacker that gains, maintains, or accentuates our control of the situation. In short…

…there is something that makes a particular technique RIGHT and APPROPRIATE for any given moment…

…and completely WRONG for another.

And, make no mistake here. We are talking about a scientific application of principles that work, and have worked for centuries. And, this science works…

…for whoever is knowledgeable of, and in control of it in the fight!

What it means is this; if you know how to use this scientific application and make it the logic behind your strategic use of your skills and techniques, then you will probably win. If you don’t and your assailant does, you will lose.

So, what are these key moments or critical phases?

They are…

1) Your ability to assess your situation and understand what the assailant is doing or attempting to do to you.

2) Your defense against his incoming attacks. This is your ability to neutralize the effect that his attacks were to have on you.

3) How you unbalance him in a way that prevents your assailant from going on with his own strategy and literally puts him in a position of weakness.

4) The actual counter-attack that you use to knock him back or take him to the ground. This is the phase where you actually take the fight to him.

5) Your ability to assess the effect that your technique has had on your assailant and what your next move (escape, restrain him, or prepare for another barrage of attacks) should be.

In my attempt to learn how to really be successful at defending myself and others, I was lucky enough to find some teachers who could point the way towards many of these answers. Unfortunately (or fortunately, as this caused me to have to really look), we’re not talking about the step-by-step mechanics of the “style” here, as these can be taught by practically anyone to almost anyone else. What we ARE talking about is something that cannot be seen unless you know what you’re looking for. It’s invisible to the naked eye but there nonetheless.

Just know this. Each of these critical moments - these keys - is an important, no crucial, element in any overall defense strategy. But, where the book “The Karate-Myth” focused on the big-picture defense strategy that lead from General Awareness to Actually having to Deal with the Attacker (remember?), what I’m talking about here is the little-picture strategy of phase 6 - “dealing with the attack.”

Where an overall general self-defense strategy is ultimately designed to “avoid” dangerous situations altogether; this life-saving knowledge is all about effectively and efficiently handling one one you find yourself in it.

And, when the “rubber-meets-the-road,” so-to-speak…

…it doesn’t matter how many way-cool techniques you know, so much as…

…what you can “do” with them.

Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and director of Warrior Concepts International in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. He is the author of the “Foundations of Self-Defense Mastery” eCourse, which is available free of charge to subscribers of his self defense newsletter. You can subscribe to the newsletter at: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/newsletter-subscribe-self-defense.html He is also the creator of the EDR: Non-Martial Arts Defensive Training Program, author of the book, “The Karate-Myth” as-well-as the powerful, “Danger Prevention Tactics” video. Additional information is available by visiting http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com