Valentines Day is coming and Ronny Engrish is in desperate need of a romantic idea to surprise Mrs. Engrish with. Lately (apparently since Y2K+5) I have been very ....grumpy ....not easy to get along with ....not being a nice guy in general. Mrs. Engrish is pretty fed up with Putting up with My ..uhm...Stuff. (never know if Mrs. Who reads this in front of the kids so I gotta keep the language rated PG)
So I have been thinking what I can do for Mrs. Engrish that will not result in a frying pan going ballistic with a terminal trajectory of my crainium.
As I am a guest here on Crunch Time, and it is just the way I roll..... Please - Keep it clean.
Showing posts with label Self Defense. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Self Defense. Show all posts
2/3/09
11/4/07
I Made The News!
And it wasn't for something bad!
My instructor set up a self-defense seminar at a local community college in light of recent attacks on state campuses (campi?) and I was one of the assistants. We spent about 1.5 hours with a group of 20 and accomplished quite a bit. Some had a bit of ability. Others, well, um, they really didn't.
Here's a video clip. Yes, I'm the fella being taken down by the blonde kid. That was the only technique she did well the entire night - I don't think her head was in it - but her friend was pretty decent in handling herself.
This brings me to a big peeve of mine with self-defense: Taking it seriously. Now, people shouldn't be glancing over their shoulders all the time - that's no way to live. However, with all the well-documented examples of women, heck people, getting attacked, you would think people who take time to attend one of these seminars would be serious about this stuff. You would, in fact, be mistaken.
What I saw were about four or five people who took it very seriously & about 15 who were there to try something fun, socialize or show what they could do. I'll address each of these in turn.
1) Fun people: That's not a bad reason to be there. I hope everyone did have a good time learning something new. L-I-S-T-E-N, though! If it's going to be of any use, you need to know how & why, not just go through the motions. Trained people don't & attackers won't give you a second chance.
2) Socializers: I see one more gaggle of gabbers at one of these things & the guy in the group is going to get a free, one-on-one, self-defense lesson & the others will benefit from his example. I've been doing this for over four years. That's not a long time by martial arts standards but trust me, you'll learn to pay attention.
3) Show-offs: See above. We're here to help you avoid bad situations & get out of them if you can't. Showing us some random thing you learned in grade school, the thing you haven't practiced since you saw it, once, is not going to wow us. I know guys who can take me apart in under one minute. They impress me. And no, they don't show it off, either.
My instructor set up a self-defense seminar at a local community college in light of recent attacks on state campuses (campi?) and I was one of the assistants. We spent about 1.5 hours with a group of 20 and accomplished quite a bit. Some had a bit of ability. Others, well, um, they really didn't.
Here's a video clip. Yes, I'm the fella being taken down by the blonde kid. That was the only technique she did well the entire night - I don't think her head was in it - but her friend was pretty decent in handling herself.
This brings me to a big peeve of mine with self-defense: Taking it seriously. Now, people shouldn't be glancing over their shoulders all the time - that's no way to live. However, with all the well-documented examples of women, heck people, getting attacked, you would think people who take time to attend one of these seminars would be serious about this stuff. You would, in fact, be mistaken.
What I saw were about four or five people who took it very seriously & about 15 who were there to try something fun, socialize or show what they could do. I'll address each of these in turn.
1) Fun people: That's not a bad reason to be there. I hope everyone did have a good time learning something new. L-I-S-T-E-N, though! If it's going to be of any use, you need to know how & why, not just go through the motions. Trained people don't & attackers won't give you a second chance.
2) Socializers: I see one more gaggle of gabbers at one of these things & the guy in the group is going to get a free, one-on-one, self-defense lesson & the others will benefit from his example. I've been doing this for over four years. That's not a long time by martial arts standards but trust me, you'll learn to pay attention.
3) Show-offs: See above. We're here to help you avoid bad situations & get out of them if you can't. Showing us some random thing you learned in grade school, the thing you haven't practiced since you saw it, once, is not going to wow us. I know guys who can take me apart in under one minute. They impress me. And no, they don't show it off, either.
9/28/07
Black Belt, Black Eye
We have a saying the martial arts: You have more to fear in class from a junior belt than you ever will from a black belt. I first heard this as a white belt in HKD & I have never forgotten how true it is.
Well, apparently, I needed a huge dose of reality in the form of a clumsy, 250 lb, police officer yellow belt. Moreover, someone decided my smile (33 years, ZERO cavities!) was a bit too pretty.
This yellow belt was being way too intense the whole night (all 15 minutes of it, anyway) & I know I should have called him on it. He nearly injured a couple others & torqued on my wrist quite a bit. I figured no harm since it's flexible after four years of this treatment. Needless to say, I paid the price for my complacency: Black belts are expected to lead, not just observe & think to themselves.
Anyway, this lumbering junior belt did a breakaway from a single wrist grab that involves "pushing" your elbow into the solar plexus & driving it straight upwards into the person's chin...BUT, that's not where he got me. He didn't even drive into my solar plexus. No hit, no problem.
The problem started when he was coming down. I actually stepped back for this part knowing there's a risk you can get popped in the face when the elbow drops. Well, Skippy apparently decided to over-compensate for my compensation & drove his elbow into the bottom edge of my eye socket. This particular motion drove my head downwards (no, really!) & slammed my mostly closed jaw shut. The resulting crack made me think I lost 1/2 my teeth in that shot!
I dropped to the ground in the interest of: 1) getting away from this guy; and 2) to appraise the extent of my injuries. No blood, eye still seeing 20/20, so far so good. That's when I felt a chunk of tooth in my mouth.
Now, for anyone who's never chipped a tooth by way of having a 250lb guy driving an elbow into your skull, let me tell you that chunk gives you a baaad feeling. Add to that I have basically perfect teeth & you'll understand why I was nervous.
I went to the restroom & got the piece of tooth out. Fortunately, not that big. It was a small, angled chip off my lower incisor (#25, I think). I went home & used some fluoride mouthwash on it & went to the dentist this morning. Apparently, it's fixable with "no problems" according to the dentist (BTW, Gentle Dental rules! They are so great!)
As for the rest, the elbow impact (just below my left eye) was iced immediately & that kept the swelling to a minimum. I've still got a bit of a shiner & it's tender but I was very lucky.
The lesson learned? First, I will ALWAYS use my mouthguard - even during warm-ups. The other guys call me paranoid but that's too close a call to look like a hockey player permanently. Second, if there's a student acting a bit too rough for his/her level I will tell the person about it & slow them down. Addendum: Unless it's a very attractive "she" & then we'll see where it goes. heh heh
Seriously, take a cue from Roses & learn from another person's mistake: If it's not looking quite right or seems out of place - it probably is. Do something about it when you see it, not when it's too late.
Well, apparently, I needed a huge dose of reality in the form of a clumsy, 250 lb, police officer yellow belt. Moreover, someone decided my smile (33 years, ZERO cavities!) was a bit too pretty.
This yellow belt was being way too intense the whole night (all 15 minutes of it, anyway) & I know I should have called him on it. He nearly injured a couple others & torqued on my wrist quite a bit. I figured no harm since it's flexible after four years of this treatment. Needless to say, I paid the price for my complacency: Black belts are expected to lead, not just observe & think to themselves.
Anyway, this lumbering junior belt did a breakaway from a single wrist grab that involves "pushing" your elbow into the solar plexus & driving it straight upwards into the person's chin...BUT, that's not where he got me. He didn't even drive into my solar plexus. No hit, no problem.
The problem started when he was coming down. I actually stepped back for this part knowing there's a risk you can get popped in the face when the elbow drops. Well, Skippy apparently decided to over-compensate for my compensation & drove his elbow into the bottom edge of my eye socket. This particular motion drove my head downwards (no, really!) & slammed my mostly closed jaw shut. The resulting crack made me think I lost 1/2 my teeth in that shot!
I dropped to the ground in the interest of: 1) getting away from this guy; and 2) to appraise the extent of my injuries. No blood, eye still seeing 20/20, so far so good. That's when I felt a chunk of tooth in my mouth.
Now, for anyone who's never chipped a tooth by way of having a 250lb guy driving an elbow into your skull, let me tell you that chunk gives you a baaad feeling. Add to that I have basically perfect teeth & you'll understand why I was nervous.
I went to the restroom & got the piece of tooth out. Fortunately, not that big. It was a small, angled chip off my lower incisor (#25, I think). I went home & used some fluoride mouthwash on it & went to the dentist this morning. Apparently, it's fixable with "no problems" according to the dentist (BTW, Gentle Dental rules! They are so great!)
As for the rest, the elbow impact (just below my left eye) was iced immediately & that kept the swelling to a minimum. I've still got a bit of a shiner & it's tender but I was very lucky.
The lesson learned? First, I will ALWAYS use my mouthguard - even during warm-ups. The other guys call me paranoid but that's too close a call to look like a hockey player permanently. Second, if there's a student acting a bit too rough for his/her level I will tell the person about it & slow them down. Addendum: Unless it's a very attractive "she" & then we'll see where it goes. heh heh
Seriously, take a cue from Roses & learn from another person's mistake: If it's not looking quite right or seems out of place - it probably is. Do something about it when you see it, not when it's too late.
7/29/07
Hock Seminar
Man, was this a blast! We started about 10am, with an hour for lunch, and went to about 430pm. The focus started with multiple assailants & moved into such concepts as hyper-extensions with weapon disarms & recoveries at the end.
The multiple assailants part really stuck with me. You are "attacked" by three people whose purpose is to prevent you from getting to the door at the other end of the room. You start off surrounded by them & any manner of grabs/pushes are fair game. All they have to do is take you down & it's over. According to Hock, I am only the second person ever at one of his seminars to escape successfully.
The trick, he said, is that I didn't try to fight off three people at once - like many other martial artists do - I just tried to get out of there. I would advocate anyone else do the same. Heck, I'd say try it the next time you have a bunch of people together! It's valuable to get used to the "panic" feeling. Believe me, that's exactly what happens when you're trying to escape - even when the "attackers" are your friends.
Another tactic we went over is when you're actually knocked down & multiple people are kicking you. Now, we only did light taps instead of rib-busting kicks but the freaked-out feeling is still there. Trying to get up when everything is in your face like that can be intimidating. Try it & you'll see what I mean.
The weapon disarms/recoveries were tough but valuable. There are plenty of tricks to prevent a person from overpowering your weapon away. This is particularly useful for women, who may be at risk of a large assailant believing he can easily disarm them. With practice in this area, that attacker will be sorely disappointed.
The joint manipulation part - with hyper-extensions - was fun but required the most coordination. The part where we had to practice capturing the stick weapon was particularly painful. You catch it under your arm & trap. The person with the weapon then cranks your arm over the top, using the stick you just caught as a lever to take you down. Hard.
Overall, a great experience that I'd recommend for anyone with self-defense in mind. It's harsh, there's some pain & you can be beaten by overwhelming force or just bad luck.
Just like real life, come to think of it...
The multiple assailants part really stuck with me. You are "attacked" by three people whose purpose is to prevent you from getting to the door at the other end of the room. You start off surrounded by them & any manner of grabs/pushes are fair game. All they have to do is take you down & it's over. According to Hock, I am only the second person ever at one of his seminars to escape successfully.
The trick, he said, is that I didn't try to fight off three people at once - like many other martial artists do - I just tried to get out of there. I would advocate anyone else do the same. Heck, I'd say try it the next time you have a bunch of people together! It's valuable to get used to the "panic" feeling. Believe me, that's exactly what happens when you're trying to escape - even when the "attackers" are your friends.
Another tactic we went over is when you're actually knocked down & multiple people are kicking you. Now, we only did light taps instead of rib-busting kicks but the freaked-out feeling is still there. Trying to get up when everything is in your face like that can be intimidating. Try it & you'll see what I mean.
The weapon disarms/recoveries were tough but valuable. There are plenty of tricks to prevent a person from overpowering your weapon away. This is particularly useful for women, who may be at risk of a large assailant believing he can easily disarm them. With practice in this area, that attacker will be sorely disappointed.
The joint manipulation part - with hyper-extensions - was fun but required the most coordination. The part where we had to practice capturing the stick weapon was particularly painful. You catch it under your arm & trap. The person with the weapon then cranks your arm over the top, using the stick you just caught as a lever to take you down. Hard.
Overall, a great experience that I'd recommend for anyone with self-defense in mind. It's harsh, there's some pain & you can be beaten by overwhelming force or just bad luck.
Just like real life, come to think of it...
7/12/07
For Your Family
I've read two accounts, one from Mrs. Who of House of Zathras & one from Roses of Ack! Thbbbt, both detail attacks on these two ladies years ago. Since both have been selfless enough to post something this personal AND are doing so because they know it may benefit other women & their daughters, I feel it's only decent of me to help spread their posts however I can.
The information I'm going to offer is similar to what you will find in their blogs. However, READ their posts! I cannot tell you how much both moved me, scared me & angered me. I have a young friend about to start in college & it's her first time away from home alone. While I believe people are generally good-natured there are some monsters sick beyond words. Mrs. Who & Roses have done a great service with these courageous messages.
Roses & Mrs. Who have asked others to post experiences on their sites. If you have something you wish to share, please do so on their blogs. I'm only trying to help get the message out there.
Here is the information I would like to offer (Courtesy: Matt Rion, Cedar Valley Defensive Arts):
1) Pay attention to your surroundings: Whether on vacation or at home, it is important to not get so caught up in the sights or activities that you do not notice what is going on around you.
2) Listen to your instincts: Some call it a "gut" feeling, others call it instinct. We all have it - pay attention when that little voice inside you says something is wrong. Get out of that situation immediately, even if you can't put your finger on what gave you the feeling. Once in a safe area, think about it more. You will soon realize what gave you the feeling.
3) Learn a martial art: Attending a self defense seminar several times a year is a step in the right direction. However, to become proficient and have the ability to react without thinking, will require consistent, regular practice. Visit a school and talk to the instructor about his or her philosophy of teaching. Does he or she emphasize tournaments? Although sparring is fun, it will not help you in a self-defense situation. Does he or she have an open mind and experience in multiple martial arts?
4) If you choose to carry pepper spray - Practice! Pepper spray is like any other weapon - it can be taken away and used against you. If you choose to carry pepper spray, get some training. At the very least, get several containers of the same brand you will carry. Take one in the back yard and learn how to use it. Like anything else, to be effective you must practice. Learn how far it will spray and how much pressure it takes to operate. It is better to take the time now, than not have the time later. And remember, to work at all, you must have it in your hand. There will be no time to fumble through your purse or pocket to find it.
Lastly, there was a study done (One In Eight) that addresses the risks posed to women in the state of Iowa. However, I think this report applies to all women & would encourage anyone with a wife/daughter/mother/etc. to read it.
The information I'm going to offer is similar to what you will find in their blogs. However, READ their posts! I cannot tell you how much both moved me, scared me & angered me. I have a young friend about to start in college & it's her first time away from home alone. While I believe people are generally good-natured there are some monsters sick beyond words. Mrs. Who & Roses have done a great service with these courageous messages.
Roses & Mrs. Who have asked others to post experiences on their sites. If you have something you wish to share, please do so on their blogs. I'm only trying to help get the message out there.
Here is the information I would like to offer (Courtesy: Matt Rion, Cedar Valley Defensive Arts):
1) Pay attention to your surroundings: Whether on vacation or at home, it is important to not get so caught up in the sights or activities that you do not notice what is going on around you.
2) Listen to your instincts: Some call it a "gut" feeling, others call it instinct. We all have it - pay attention when that little voice inside you says something is wrong. Get out of that situation immediately, even if you can't put your finger on what gave you the feeling. Once in a safe area, think about it more. You will soon realize what gave you the feeling.
3) Learn a martial art: Attending a self defense seminar several times a year is a step in the right direction. However, to become proficient and have the ability to react without thinking, will require consistent, regular practice. Visit a school and talk to the instructor about his or her philosophy of teaching. Does he or she emphasize tournaments? Although sparring is fun, it will not help you in a self-defense situation. Does he or she have an open mind and experience in multiple martial arts?
4) If you choose to carry pepper spray - Practice! Pepper spray is like any other weapon - it can be taken away and used against you. If you choose to carry pepper spray, get some training. At the very least, get several containers of the same brand you will carry. Take one in the back yard and learn how to use it. Like anything else, to be effective you must practice. Learn how far it will spray and how much pressure it takes to operate. It is better to take the time now, than not have the time later. And remember, to work at all, you must have it in your hand. There will be no time to fumble through your purse or pocket to find it.
Lastly, there was a study done (One In Eight) that addresses the risks posed to women in the state of Iowa. However, I think this report applies to all women & would encourage anyone with a wife/daughter/mother/etc. to read it.
6/24/07
Davenport, Iowa
An apparent road rage attack left one woman in a coma & two men severely beaten. The two perpetrators used golf clubs & a tire iron to carry out the attack.
OK, folks, as you can see from the attached article there's not much detail to offer. What I can advise in this case is don't get involved with road rage - let your pride go! I'm not saying let people walk all over you but I am saying it's not worth your life to prove a (superfluous) point. Even the most experienced martial artist/police officer/soldier is in a bind where multiple attackers are concerned. Add to that short-tempered thugs like the monsters in this case & you have a nightmare situation.
Like the last time I posted on this we're talking about a small town where this kind of thing just "doesn't happen". In cases of road rage, I think people feel powerful behind the wheel & certainly become more aggressive. Sadly, when people take it to the next level - hostile behavior - that illusion is broken & leaves this kind of disgusting crime in it's wake.
OK, folks, as you can see from the attached article there's not much detail to offer. What I can advise in this case is don't get involved with road rage - let your pride go! I'm not saying let people walk all over you but I am saying it's not worth your life to prove a (superfluous) point. Even the most experienced martial artist/police officer/soldier is in a bind where multiple attackers are concerned. Add to that short-tempered thugs like the monsters in this case & you have a nightmare situation.
Like the last time I posted on this we're talking about a small town where this kind of thing just "doesn't happen". In cases of road rage, I think people feel powerful behind the wheel & certainly become more aggressive. Sadly, when people take it to the next level - hostile behavior - that illusion is broken & leaves this kind of disgusting crime in it's wake.
4/21/07
Gun Control
With the recent violence that has tragically plagued public institutions recently, I think it's about time I chime in with my stance on gun control...
I'm against it.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating everyone should go out, buy an Uzi & have a good ol' time shooting the neighborhood up for target practice. I AM of the mind that people have every right to defend themselves against a criminal attack. With that in mind I can't fathom why individuals think a simple piece of paper (read: gun control law) is going to prevent someone from "going postal" & murdering innocents with their weapon of choice.
That carries all the severity of the UN levying a sanction against someone.
The fact is no law will have teeth unless there is a means to enforce it. You restrict guns from a public institution? Accept the fact that law-abiding citizens will be the ones to leave their guns at home. Criminals, not-surprisingly, don't care so much for laws.
Obviously, there's something to be said for guns being out in the open or just letting any person legally pack a weapon, which brings me to concealed carry permits. I think the guidelines should make it reasonably difficult to qualify (sorry, convicted felons, you're out) but any adult who does qualify for a concealed weapon permit should be able to carry it anywhere (with notable exceptions: airport, White House, Congress, Supreme Court all come to mind).
Why do I feel this way?
Well, other than the obvious argument that the 2nd Amendment (just as valid as the 1st, progressives) guarantees us the right to bear arms, it's the fact the police, military, etc. cannot always be there at a moment's notice to help. The difference between a hostage/victim & diffuser of a disastrous situation is on a razor's edge.
Furthermore, even if there isn't a person with a concealed weapon capable of coming to the defense of others, the fact a perpetrator believes there could be may be enough to prevent a tragedy. This would explain why convenience stores are robbed more than police stations. As silly as that comparison seems, think about it - why, other than fear of getting arrested, wouldn't you try to hold up a police station? Guns, maybe?
I know the gun control element argues that making guns illegal/harder to get somehow makes sense. These people take a side as credible as the UN calling for stricter sanctions: Neither has the backbone to back up the so-called "resolution" they propose. It's easy to say "less guns" & have people believe its a feel-good measure to protect them. If that were the case, any weapons-free zone would be the safest place on Earth. Horribly, in massacres such as Columbine & Virginia Tech, that's been proven to have the opposite effect.
Bottom line: if a criminal is all but guaranteed to meet no resistance in the course of an attack, they're more likely to carry it out.
I'm against it.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating everyone should go out, buy an Uzi & have a good ol' time shooting the neighborhood up for target practice. I AM of the mind that people have every right to defend themselves against a criminal attack. With that in mind I can't fathom why individuals think a simple piece of paper (read: gun control law) is going to prevent someone from "going postal" & murdering innocents with their weapon of choice.
That carries all the severity of the UN levying a sanction against someone.
The fact is no law will have teeth unless there is a means to enforce it. You restrict guns from a public institution? Accept the fact that law-abiding citizens will be the ones to leave their guns at home. Criminals, not-surprisingly, don't care so much for laws.
Obviously, there's something to be said for guns being out in the open or just letting any person legally pack a weapon, which brings me to concealed carry permits. I think the guidelines should make it reasonably difficult to qualify (sorry, convicted felons, you're out) but any adult who does qualify for a concealed weapon permit should be able to carry it anywhere (with notable exceptions: airport, White House, Congress, Supreme Court all come to mind).
Why do I feel this way?
Well, other than the obvious argument that the 2nd Amendment (just as valid as the 1st, progressives) guarantees us the right to bear arms, it's the fact the police, military, etc. cannot always be there at a moment's notice to help. The difference between a hostage/victim & diffuser of a disastrous situation is on a razor's edge.
Furthermore, even if there isn't a person with a concealed weapon capable of coming to the defense of others, the fact a perpetrator believes there could be may be enough to prevent a tragedy. This would explain why convenience stores are robbed more than police stations. As silly as that comparison seems, think about it - why, other than fear of getting arrested, wouldn't you try to hold up a police station? Guns, maybe?
I know the gun control element argues that making guns illegal/harder to get somehow makes sense. These people take a side as credible as the UN calling for stricter sanctions: Neither has the backbone to back up the so-called "resolution" they propose. It's easy to say "less guns" & have people believe its a feel-good measure to protect them. If that were the case, any weapons-free zone would be the safest place on Earth. Horribly, in massacres such as Columbine & Virginia Tech, that's been proven to have the opposite effect.
Bottom line: if a criminal is all but guaranteed to meet no resistance in the course of an attack, they're more likely to carry it out.
What Is HapKiDo?
A recent comment from Jon in Detroit,MI made me realize I've never given a good definition of what is exactly this HapKiDo thing. While Jon definitely knows what what it is, many of you may not (& by that, I mean you're too stinkin' lazy to look it up yourselves). ;-)
Sure, it is the name I use, it is the art I love but none of that helps you, the reader. So, in an effort to enlighten my audience, here's the info on HKD:
HapKiDo is an art of self-defense that originated in Korea. The actual founder is a subject of debate, so I'm not going to delve into politics here. There are three syllables in the word HapKiDo & they mean:
Hap - Coordination
Ki - Energy/Power
Do - The Art/Way
HapKiDo, in English, literally means "The Art of Coordinated Energy".
The principles of this art include:
1) Circular Motion - This may lead to an art being called a "soft" style (hard styles being TaeKwonDo, Karate, etc.). This emphasizes non-linear motions - to which the body has a remarkably difficult time adapting - for self-defense techniques.
2) Water - The nature of water is to flow around, or over, obstacles. In HapKiDo, this is intended to move yourself around the attacker instead of meeting force head-on. "Blocks" are really strikes used for other purposes & can lead to injury. The water principle teaches to avoid that impact, when possible, & move around the attacker or wear them down.
3) Harmony (Non-resistance) - Oh, I know what you're thinking...but not so fast. This isn't the peace-at-any-price non-resistance, it's the essence of HapKiDo - energy coordination. In other words: Your attacker pushes, you pull & vice versa. If a punch comes, you blend with the energy & make it your own - pulling them off balance. Essentially, you're using the attacker's force against them.
All of the above are somewhat difficult to explain & even more difficult to learn. It's not that the concepts are "too much" for anyone - the issue is your body has to unlearn a lot of what you've been taught & what instinct commands.
Try to have someone push you & see how you react. I'll guarantee you pushed back or resisted the action. There's nothing wrong with this - many of our instincts work perfectly for us to survive. HKD endeavors - through using the above principles - to "teach" instinct a more capable way of dealing with an attacker.
If you have any questions on the above, I'll be happy to answer what I can.
Sure, it is the name I use, it is the art I love but none of that helps you, the reader. So, in an effort to enlighten my audience, here's the info on HKD:
HapKiDo is an art of self-defense that originated in Korea. The actual founder is a subject of debate, so I'm not going to delve into politics here. There are three syllables in the word HapKiDo & they mean:
Hap - Coordination
Ki - Energy/Power
Do - The Art/Way
HapKiDo, in English, literally means "The Art of Coordinated Energy".
The principles of this art include:
1) Circular Motion - This may lead to an art being called a "soft" style (hard styles being TaeKwonDo, Karate, etc.). This emphasizes non-linear motions - to which the body has a remarkably difficult time adapting - for self-defense techniques.
2) Water - The nature of water is to flow around, or over, obstacles. In HapKiDo, this is intended to move yourself around the attacker instead of meeting force head-on. "Blocks" are really strikes used for other purposes & can lead to injury. The water principle teaches to avoid that impact, when possible, & move around the attacker or wear them down.
3) Harmony (Non-resistance) - Oh, I know what you're thinking...but not so fast. This isn't the peace-at-any-price non-resistance, it's the essence of HapKiDo - energy coordination. In other words: Your attacker pushes, you pull & vice versa. If a punch comes, you blend with the energy & make it your own - pulling them off balance. Essentially, you're using the attacker's force against them.
All of the above are somewhat difficult to explain & even more difficult to learn. It's not that the concepts are "too much" for anyone - the issue is your body has to unlearn a lot of what you've been taught & what instinct commands.
Try to have someone push you & see how you react. I'll guarantee you pushed back or resisted the action. There's nothing wrong with this - many of our instincts work perfectly for us to survive. HKD endeavors - through using the above principles - to "teach" instinct a more capable way of dealing with an attacker.
If you have any questions on the above, I'll be happy to answer what I can.
4/17/07
It Won't Happen To Me: Cedar Rapids,IA
In this case, my first installment of "It Won't Happen To Me" involves a student at my instructor's school.
I'm going to say up-front - this young man was lucky. I don't mean he did anything wrong by walking home from school. He should be able to do that safely. The fact he was able to foil his attacker is excellent but the fact is he was attacked in the open, during the middle of the day.
Cedar Rapids is generally considered an excellent area in which to live. Keep that in mind when you read the following (last names omitted):
With a punch, sixth grader foils his attacker
By Christoph Trappe
The Gazette
CEDAR RAPIDS — Sixth grader Riley, 13, used a tae kwon do move to get away from an attacker wearing a ski mask, who was demanding money from him. ‘‘He was walking home from school; heard somebody behind him hollering,’’ said Riley's mom, Pam, 43, of Cedar Rapids, and a Gazette employee. The attacker pushed Riley in the chest and got in front of him Friday afternoon. Riley tried to walk away, police said.
‘‘Then he pulled something out of his pocket that looked like a knife,’’ Pam said.
Riley, who is 5 foot 4 inches and weighs about 100 pounds, was still facing off in the 600 block alley of 10th Street NW around 3 p.m. Friday with the attacker, described as being about two inches taller and weighing about 50 pounds more than the boy. Riley was walking home after his day at Roosevelt Middle School, 300 13th St. NW.
The yellow-belt, who will test for the next level soon, took matters into his hands — or fists — his mom said and police reports show.
‘‘He did a move,’’ his mom said. ‘‘He punched through the stomach with the yell and everything. He hit him hard enough to bring him to the knees.’’
Riley got away uninjured. No arrest has been made in the case as of last night.
For now, Riley will probably be picked up from school, his mom said. As far as Friday goes, Riley didn’t have any money on him to give to the attacker anyway.
Police reports show the attacker wore a ski mask, gray coat, blue jeans and white tennis shoes. His age is unknown because his face was covered but Pam said she believes he was an adult man.
I'm going to say up-front - this young man was lucky. I don't mean he did anything wrong by walking home from school. He should be able to do that safely. The fact he was able to foil his attacker is excellent but the fact is he was attacked in the open, during the middle of the day.
Cedar Rapids is generally considered an excellent area in which to live. Keep that in mind when you read the following (last names omitted):
With a punch, sixth grader foils his attacker
By Christoph Trappe
The Gazette
CEDAR RAPIDS — Sixth grader Riley, 13, used a tae kwon do move to get away from an attacker wearing a ski mask, who was demanding money from him. ‘‘He was walking home from school; heard somebody behind him hollering,’’ said Riley's mom, Pam, 43, of Cedar Rapids, and a Gazette employee. The attacker pushed Riley in the chest and got in front of him Friday afternoon. Riley tried to walk away, police said.
‘‘Then he pulled something out of his pocket that looked like a knife,’’ Pam said.
Riley, who is 5 foot 4 inches and weighs about 100 pounds, was still facing off in the 600 block alley of 10th Street NW around 3 p.m. Friday with the attacker, described as being about two inches taller and weighing about 50 pounds more than the boy. Riley was walking home after his day at Roosevelt Middle School, 300 13th St. NW.
The yellow-belt, who will test for the next level soon, took matters into his hands — or fists — his mom said and police reports show.
‘‘He did a move,’’ his mom said. ‘‘He punched through the stomach with the yell and everything. He hit him hard enough to bring him to the knees.’’
Riley got away uninjured. No arrest has been made in the case as of last night.
For now, Riley will probably be picked up from school, his mom said. As far as Friday goes, Riley didn’t have any money on him to give to the attacker anyway.
Police reports show the attacker wore a ski mask, gray coat, blue jeans and white tennis shoes. His age is unknown because his face was covered but Pam said she believes he was an adult man.
"It Won't Happen To Me" Introduction
In light of a recent incident involving one Master Rion's students being attacked here in Cedar Rapids & the senseless tragedy at Virginia Tech, I'm starting a new (hopefully ongoing) set of posts called "It Won't Happen To Me".
To start, I NEVER place blame on the person or persons attacked - the responsibility lies solely with the perpetrator. No one ever "has it coming". I don't care if the attacker has it rough or "society" wasn't fair to him/her, the decision to visit violence on others was theirs.
I will say that entirely too many people have the "it won't happen to me" attitude (i've even seen people who were attacked add "again" to the end of that). The best thing you can do to prepare for a self-defense situation is, obviously, to stay out of it in the first place. But sometimes that's just not possible.
What I offer as a concept is being prepared is the best start to any self-defense. With that in mind, I'm going to post periodically on items in the news where someone was attacked - most likely in a relatively "safe" location. This isn't to scare the bejeebers out of you - the intention is to help you realize that these things can unfortunately happen even in your town.
My hope is that everyone will take steps to protect themselves.
To start, I NEVER place blame on the person or persons attacked - the responsibility lies solely with the perpetrator. No one ever "has it coming". I don't care if the attacker has it rough or "society" wasn't fair to him/her, the decision to visit violence on others was theirs.
I will say that entirely too many people have the "it won't happen to me" attitude (i've even seen people who were attacked add "again" to the end of that). The best thing you can do to prepare for a self-defense situation is, obviously, to stay out of it in the first place. But sometimes that's just not possible.
What I offer as a concept is being prepared is the best start to any self-defense. With that in mind, I'm going to post periodically on items in the news where someone was attacked - most likely in a relatively "safe" location. This isn't to scare the bejeebers out of you - the intention is to help you realize that these things can unfortunately happen even in your town.
My hope is that everyone will take steps to protect themselves.
4/10/07
Doing Just Fine, Denise
Denise is a student in Master Rion's self-defense class & fits in well with our group. She's trying our school out as part of her educational pursuits.
OK, that's enough with the "background" info.
We had a brief moment to talk during class & discussed the prospect of her testing for 2nd level in self-defense. Master Rion is pleased with her progress (she should be, too!) & I have to agree she's adapting very well to whatever we throw at her.
I ran her through a "gauntlet" (so-to-speak) & she did admirably! The only concept I want her to take from all of this is "do something". I'm a firm believer that the only wrong thing you can do in self-defense is to freeze. I'll say she took that concept & ran with it. Very impressive for someone just starting out (& even for someone with a little experience).
So, Denise, to answer your question if you should test: Yes. You're doing very well & it's obvious you have an aptitude for adaptation. Keep up the good work & hopefully we can keep you around after your goal has been reached.
OK, that's enough with the "background" info.
We had a brief moment to talk during class & discussed the prospect of her testing for 2nd level in self-defense. Master Rion is pleased with her progress (she should be, too!) & I have to agree she's adapting very well to whatever we throw at her.
I ran her through a "gauntlet" (so-to-speak) & she did admirably! The only concept I want her to take from all of this is "do something". I'm a firm believer that the only wrong thing you can do in self-defense is to freeze. I'll say she took that concept & ran with it. Very impressive for someone just starting out (& even for someone with a little experience).
So, Denise, to answer your question if you should test: Yes. You're doing very well & it's obvious you have an aptitude for adaptation. Keep up the good work & hopefully we can keep you around after your goal has been reached.
4/8/07
Steering Wheel
I don't expect this title will mean anything except to those in HKD...and even then only ones in the class I attend.
I taught my little sis, Liz, how to do this technique today. It's a delightful little wrist lock designed to cinch the shoulder, elbow & wrist joints in place to perform a takedown/break. Most likely a break if the attacker doesn't have the brains to fall down. It draws it's name from the motion you make when turning the wrist.
Heaven knows poor Liz has been subjected to this little gem more times than she'd care to count (she had it coming a couple times!). I figured it's about time she learned how it works.
For safety reasons, I'm not going to detail the technique here - you can visit a local school to get more information. It's dangerous to do this stuff without training & a lock involving three joints is particularly risky.
Anyway, we had a bit of an audience while I was showing her how to get the lock set. Jamie, a new lady here at work, was pretty well fascinated with the "trick". Yeah, I was there once so I know how she feels: part of you just can't believe the body has those limitations. I offered her the chance to learn more for self-defense.
While I'm at it, I'd ask any young lady to check out a self-defense course. It doesn't have to be as rigorous as HKD. Master Rion offers a self-defense course specifically for people not wanting to endure various falls & "complicated" techniques. I'm sure there are plenty of schools that offer the same in your town for a reasonable price.
I taught my little sis, Liz, how to do this technique today. It's a delightful little wrist lock designed to cinch the shoulder, elbow & wrist joints in place to perform a takedown/break. Most likely a break if the attacker doesn't have the brains to fall down. It draws it's name from the motion you make when turning the wrist.
Heaven knows poor Liz has been subjected to this little gem more times than she'd care to count (she had it coming a couple times!). I figured it's about time she learned how it works.
For safety reasons, I'm not going to detail the technique here - you can visit a local school to get more information. It's dangerous to do this stuff without training & a lock involving three joints is particularly risky.
Anyway, we had a bit of an audience while I was showing her how to get the lock set. Jamie, a new lady here at work, was pretty well fascinated with the "trick". Yeah, I was there once so I know how she feels: part of you just can't believe the body has those limitations. I offered her the chance to learn more for self-defense.
While I'm at it, I'd ask any young lady to check out a self-defense course. It doesn't have to be as rigorous as HKD. Master Rion offers a self-defense course specifically for people not wanting to endure various falls & "complicated" techniques. I'm sure there are plenty of schools that offer the same in your town for a reasonable price.
10/13/06
Location
This is the first installment of what I plan on being a regular post. My instructor gave me the go-ahead on posting self defense info. Just a heads up, "Caveat Emptor" - let the buyer beware. I'm offering practical advice; I'm not posting so people risk injury while attempting any techniques. While the items I'll discuss are very basic, some techniques can cause injury. Don't go around trying these on random people...keep it to the ones you don't like. ;-)
Self-Defense is essential in today's world. In a society which increasingly embraces relativism & a victim mentality, being able to defend yourself effectively (i.e. - just enough to escape the situation) is a priceless skill. Not only must you ensure your own survival, you must prevent "overkill". By overkill, I mean if someone pushes you & your response is to punch them repeatedly in the head...you're going too far. For most situations the response, legally, must be proportionate to the attack.
Location is the first aspect I consider important in self-defense. That's going to be the focus of this first installment. Keeping yourself out of that bad situation will prevent the vast majority of attacks. Walking alone through a bad neighborhood at 2AM is a bad idea. This should be obvious, even if you think you're some hero in an action flick (Trust me, you're not).
Even in a safer location (i.e. - well lit, public area) it's still possible there will be an attack. Fortunately, instinct has provided us with tools we can easily implement. Fear is not a bad reaction & it can often save you from danger. Everything from hair on the back of your neck to a bad "feeling" about a place or situation is a cue. As my instructor says, if you notice these signals, get to a safe place & go over exactly what you saw. At some point you'll recognize what was bad about that scene.
As my old XO in the Navy told me, the two best ways to stay out of trouble are to, "be somewhere when you're supposed to be there & do what you're supposed to do, when you're supposed to do it". The first half of that adage applies greatly to self-defense. Being in the wrong place doesn't mean you were "asking for it" but will that really matter if you're attacked? Legally, you may be in the right & I guarantee you the attacker won't care. Do your best to reasonably avoid the situation & there will be no argument over moral equivalence.
Self-Defense is essential in today's world. In a society which increasingly embraces relativism & a victim mentality, being able to defend yourself effectively (i.e. - just enough to escape the situation) is a priceless skill. Not only must you ensure your own survival, you must prevent "overkill". By overkill, I mean if someone pushes you & your response is to punch them repeatedly in the head...you're going too far. For most situations the response, legally, must be proportionate to the attack.
Location is the first aspect I consider important in self-defense. That's going to be the focus of this first installment. Keeping yourself out of that bad situation will prevent the vast majority of attacks. Walking alone through a bad neighborhood at 2AM is a bad idea. This should be obvious, even if you think you're some hero in an action flick (Trust me, you're not).
Even in a safer location (i.e. - well lit, public area) it's still possible there will be an attack. Fortunately, instinct has provided us with tools we can easily implement. Fear is not a bad reaction & it can often save you from danger. Everything from hair on the back of your neck to a bad "feeling" about a place or situation is a cue. As my instructor says, if you notice these signals, get to a safe place & go over exactly what you saw. At some point you'll recognize what was bad about that scene.
As my old XO in the Navy told me, the two best ways to stay out of trouble are to, "be somewhere when you're supposed to be there & do what you're supposed to do, when you're supposed to do it". The first half of that adage applies greatly to self-defense. Being in the wrong place doesn't mean you were "asking for it" but will that really matter if you're attacked? Legally, you may be in the right & I guarantee you the attacker won't care. Do your best to reasonably avoid the situation & there will be no argument over moral equivalence.
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