Tag: Self-Defense

Blocking for Self-Defense

JRRMAS adjunct staff member TS from Potsdam NY gives a presentation on Self-Defense blocking. TS started training with me in 1979 and is one of my senior most Black Belts (4th degree) in the American Karate-Do System, he is also a Black Belt in Modern Arnis. He is currently teaching T’ai Chi Ch’uan, Self-Defense and Aerobic Kick Boxing at the University in Potsdam. With over 30 years of consistent training, TS has a lot to offer. It was wonderful to have him assisting with the youth classes in the morning and participating in the Seminar in the afternoon this past Saturday. I only wish he lived closer!

Personal Safety Seminar at Greenfield High Shool for Senior Girls

Yesterday two JRRMAS Staff members JK and CG and I presented a Seminar on Personal Safety at Greenfield High School for a group of 20 girls who are preparing to leave for their first year away at college. This is one of the Personal Safety techniques that we introduced to them. Our main goal was to get them talking to each other about personal safety and get advice from their older peers on what they do to stay safe. We also encouraged the college freshmen to seek out resources on Personal Safety where they go to college and either join a Karate or Self-Defense class or take a specific class on like a ‘model mugging’ program etc. In order to ensure that you have the physical skills for self-defense they need to be practiced and rehearsed to be available and effective under the stress of an attack. There is NO substitute for regular practice of skills (any skills)! The main idea we presented to the group was awareness of your surrounding and the people that you are with. The importance of setting personal limits with yourself and others. Getting carried away during freshman year is common. Try to remember it’s your first time away on your own, and with the newness of it all, it’s easy to get carried away and possibly off track…. remember why you are there…to get an education. Stay committed to getting that! We stressed the importance of ‘self regulation’ and accountability for your actions. Know who you are going with before you go anywhere with them. Drinking, drugs and driving don’t mix…….Saying NO is not just about sex!

Personal Safety Seminar for High Shool and College students

Genna after her first promotion to White Belt – Fall 2008

A JRRMAS Staff member and I had a meeting this morning with three students from Lisa Moore’s class at Greenfield High School. The purpose was to assist them to organize a single class for GHS Senior girl’s who are getting ready to go away to college. The topic for the class is how they can stay safe.
What kind of information would you like to send along with a daughter, granddaughter, sister or friend, for their first year of College Life??
One idea that comes to mind, is to start preparing them at a young age! Train them to increase awareness, self-control and accountability. Train them to develop the strength necessary to stand up for themselves, set limits with others (themselves too) and the strength to say NO when they need to.
Saying NO is not just about sex!
Send along any ideas that you may have on the subject…..all feedback is welcomed!
Sifu