Staying safe in a sometimes unsafe world: that will be the main topic and goal of a series of personal safety and self-defense classes we are starting for girls and young women in our community.
There is a lot of false information circulating on the internet about self-defense and safety. We want to make sure that girls and young women are fully prepared, that they will be able to determine what poses a real danger to them, and that they will be capable of protecting themselves.
On Tuesday, August 16, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, we will be holding a personal safety class for high school and college age young women. We will be covering a wide variety of topics about dangers and issues that participants of the class might be facing, or might face in the future. Each participant will receive a folder of all the information covered in class as well as supplementary material. Since the last part of the class will involve some hands-on training, we are asking that everyone wear loose, comfortable clothing.
On Thursday, August 18, from 10:00 am to noon, we will be holding a similar class geared especially for junior high age girls. Again, there will be class handouts and training that will require loose, comfortable clothing.
On Saturday, September 10, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, we will be holding a special safety class for teenage girls and their mothers.
Due to the sensitive nature of the material covered in these classes, and so that the participants will fee safe and comfortable, we are asking that men and boys not be present unless they have made prior arrangements with the instructor. Mothers of the participants are welcome to stay and watch the classes in August; the class in September will be limited to participants only.
Please call 805-931-0683 to register for more information. Spaces are limited and participants need to register in advance so that we can make class materials available to them.
Showing posts with label Self-defense. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Self-defense. Show all posts
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
What to bring to Fight Class
If you haven't read "Are you getting stronger?" please do so now. It will give some necessary info on Fight Class.
Now, on to the nitty-gritty practical stuff. Here's what to bring to Fight Class:
1. Your gi, belt, gear and everything you bring to a regular class.
2. Water or a dojo water bottle for free refills (We still have dojo water bottles available.)
3. A t-shirt or workout top. For the first half of the workout, this may be much cooler and more comfortable than your gi top. (Women's fitness class members --- just wear your regular workout clothes.)
4. A judo top if you enjoy the idea of dressing the part of a real judo/jiujitsu person. Trust me, you'll only want to wear this during the ground fighting portion of class.
5. Hand wraps and/or bag gloves. This is not mandatory, but it's highly recommended, especially if you want to be training hard on the heavy bags and improving the power of your punches. I used to think this was kind of wimpy and not a karate-like thing to do, but several things have changed my mind (e.g, my sensei, my bouts with carpel tunnel syndrome, watching other people train, etc.). What finally convinced me was working out with wraps. Now I won't go back. We have some wraps and glove available and can order more. If you need help wrapping your hands, be sure to come early.
6. A light, healthy, high energy snack for afterwards.
Make sure you've eaten a light meal sometime before class, so that you have plenty of energy!
Now, on to the nitty-gritty practical stuff. Here's what to bring to Fight Class:
1. Your gi, belt, gear and everything you bring to a regular class.
2. Water or a dojo water bottle for free refills (We still have dojo water bottles available.)
3. A t-shirt or workout top. For the first half of the workout, this may be much cooler and more comfortable than your gi top. (Women's fitness class members --- just wear your regular workout clothes.)
4. A judo top if you enjoy the idea of dressing the part of a real judo/jiujitsu person. Trust me, you'll only want to wear this during the ground fighting portion of class.
5. Hand wraps and/or bag gloves. This is not mandatory, but it's highly recommended, especially if you want to be training hard on the heavy bags and improving the power of your punches. I used to think this was kind of wimpy and not a karate-like thing to do, but several things have changed my mind (e.g, my sensei, my bouts with carpel tunnel syndrome, watching other people train, etc.). What finally convinced me was working out with wraps. Now I won't go back. We have some wraps and glove available and can order more. If you need help wrapping your hands, be sure to come early.
6. A light, healthy, high energy snack for afterwards.
Make sure you've eaten a light meal sometime before class, so that you have plenty of energy!
Are you getting stronger?
At the end of class, I've been doing a series of "Sensei talks" about self-defense. On Monday and Tuesday of this week, I talked about the importance of training hard in order to be prepared physically, emotionally, and spiritually to defend oneself.
To follow up, I'd like to offer two suggestions:
Suggestion 1. The Push-Up Challenge.
As many of you know, my biceps tendinitis and related shoulder issues have prevented me from being serious about doing push-ups for quite some time, but I've decided to see how well I can handle the challenge. As of today, I'm on Week 3. If you are interested, click on the above graphic to go the website for more info.
Suggestion 2. Fight Class.
I know, I know --- you're all probably tired of hearing about how important Fight Class is! But that's only because it's the truth. Fight Class is that important! You'll get a terrific workout and you'll learn some things you can include in your home training sessions. You'll learn far more grappling and sparring techniques than we can teach in our regular classes. You'll gain strength, endurance, and confidence. You'll be better able to defend yourself.
But, wait a moment, someone may ask, what does that have to do with self-defense? Isn't Keichu Ryu designed for smaller people to be able to defend themselves against larger and stronger attackers?
Good questions. And you're right; Keichu Ryu was designed just that way. But it was also designed to be more than just an assortment of self-defense techniques.
If you had three months to prepare yourself for being attacked, how would you prepare? Would you sit on the couch eating junk food and watching TV, hoping that you'd be able to pull off the front choke defense you rarely practice? Would you attend the fewest classes you could, and expend the least amount of effort in those classes?
Or would you train hard and train smart, making sure you were in peak physical condition? Would you dedicate yourself to your training, and to living out our core values?
We have no idea when we may face that "moment of truth". Real martial artists train for years and years for something that they hope will never happen.
Training hard and training smart will make you stronger physically, mentally, and spiritually. It will prepare you for the hard times in life.
Are you getting stronger? Are you as strong as you could be?
If you have to fight, are you ready?
Let me know how you're doing with the push-up challenge. And I'll see you at Fight Class!
Edited to add:
Sometimes students wonder if they are "ready" for Fight Class, or if it would be appropriate for them. As long as you are in our Keichu Ryu karate program, or our women's fitness program, you would benefit greatly from attending Fight Class. Our women's fitness class members, and our students who are not yet sparring and grappling, will not be required to do any drills involving contact. However, if you are already grappling and/or sparring, you will also be learning and practicing techniques that will help you improve.
What about fitness level? No matter how fit, or un-fit, you may be, Fight Class will provide an excellent workout. All of the exercises can be modified to meet the needs of each student.
Fight Class is included free of charge in your BasicPlus membership. If you have not yet upgraded to BasicPlus, now would be an excellent time.
To follow up, I'd like to offer two suggestions:
Suggestion 1. The Push-Up Challenge.
As many of you know, my biceps tendinitis and related shoulder issues have prevented me from being serious about doing push-ups for quite some time, but I've decided to see how well I can handle the challenge. As of today, I'm on Week 3. If you are interested, click on the above graphic to go the website for more info.
Suggestion 2. Fight Class.
I know, I know --- you're all probably tired of hearing about how important Fight Class is! But that's only because it's the truth. Fight Class is that important! You'll get a terrific workout and you'll learn some things you can include in your home training sessions. You'll learn far more grappling and sparring techniques than we can teach in our regular classes. You'll gain strength, endurance, and confidence. You'll be better able to defend yourself.
But, wait a moment, someone may ask, what does that have to do with self-defense? Isn't Keichu Ryu designed for smaller people to be able to defend themselves against larger and stronger attackers?
Good questions. And you're right; Keichu Ryu was designed just that way. But it was also designed to be more than just an assortment of self-defense techniques.
If you had three months to prepare yourself for being attacked, how would you prepare? Would you sit on the couch eating junk food and watching TV, hoping that you'd be able to pull off the front choke defense you rarely practice? Would you attend the fewest classes you could, and expend the least amount of effort in those classes?
Or would you train hard and train smart, making sure you were in peak physical condition? Would you dedicate yourself to your training, and to living out our core values?
We have no idea when we may face that "moment of truth". Real martial artists train for years and years for something that they hope will never happen.
Training hard and training smart will make you stronger physically, mentally, and spiritually. It will prepare you for the hard times in life.
Are you getting stronger? Are you as strong as you could be?
If you have to fight, are you ready?
Let me know how you're doing with the push-up challenge. And I'll see you at Fight Class!
Edited to add:
Sometimes students wonder if they are "ready" for Fight Class, or if it would be appropriate for them. As long as you are in our Keichu Ryu karate program, or our women's fitness program, you would benefit greatly from attending Fight Class. Our women's fitness class members, and our students who are not yet sparring and grappling, will not be required to do any drills involving contact. However, if you are already grappling and/or sparring, you will also be learning and practicing techniques that will help you improve.
What about fitness level? No matter how fit, or un-fit, you may be, Fight Class will provide an excellent workout. All of the exercises can be modified to meet the needs of each student.
Fight Class is included free of charge in your BasicPlus membership. If you have not yet upgraded to BasicPlus, now would be an excellent time.
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