| There are literally dozens of reasons to | | | | and LifestyleAs I point out on my |
| study the martial arts. Everyday, countless | | | | knife-defense DVD called "The Cutting-Edge," |
| numbers of children and adults take up the | | | | your attacker will almost always come to your |
| practice and study of such martial arts as | | | | world. That means that you will most likely |
| karate, judo, aikido, as well as many other | | | | be attacked in familiar territory - where you |
| mixed or ecclectic forms. And, for the most | | | | live, work, and play. Take a good look |
| part, a student will probably find what he or | | | | around your world. Knowing where danger is |
| she is looking for in the program that they | | | | likely to come from, and in what form, is a |
| choose. I say "for the most part" because, | | | | crucial element to being ready if and when it |
| the one area of study that cannot be left to | | | | does.Researching the School, Program, and |
| chance is that of self-defense.While just | | | | TeacherI find it disconcerting to watch |
| about every form of martial art can help a | | | | people take more time trying on jeans to find |
| student to develop personal success traits | | | | just the right fit than is done in selecting |
| like...ConfidenceDisciplineFocus, | | | | a self-defense program. According to |
| and...RespectNot every art, or teacher for | | | | statistics, students chose a martial arts or |
| that matter, is cut out to teach you what you | | | | self-defense program based more on comfort |
| need to know to survive a life-threatening | | | | and convenience, than for effectiveness. |
| situation.Now, before you go off all | | | | Effectiveness, they assume, is the same |
| half-cocked because you think I dishonored | | | | regardless of school or program; so the |
| your art or school, or because you think I | | | | decision most often comes down to location of |
| just said that you can't learn to defend | | | | the school and scheduling.It's important to |
| yourself by taking karate, give me a minute | | | | remember that, selecting a school, program, |
| to explain where I'm coming from. As a | | | | and ultimately a teacher, is not the same as |
| former federal police officer and undercover | | | | buying a pair of jeans, or a hundred other |
| operative in the areas of drug suppression | | | | decisions that you could make. Why?Because |
| and black market investigations, as-well-as | | | | this decision, if not made properly, could |
| plenty of street-time as both a uniformed | | | | cost you more than you're willing to |
| police officer and bodyguard, I can assure | | | | lose.What it comes down to is whether or not |
| you that, there is much more to defending | | | | you want what you need, or you just want to |
| yourself than learning a few punches, blocks, | | | | feel like you've done something. The choice |
| and kicks in a karate class.So, how do you | | | | is yours. The martial arts, in their most |
| make sure that what you're getting out of a | | | | original form, were designed to deal with |
| martial arts class or so-called self-defense | | | | dangerous assailants and for the preservation |
| program will work in a real-world situation? | | | | of life. If an ancient warrior didn't |
| How do you make sure that you're not going to | | | | practice enough, failed to learn an important |
| be spending your hard-earned time, money, and | | | | lesson, or wasn't prepared for the attack or |
| effort on something that, when the time | | | | attacker he was facing - he died. Plain and |
| comes, will be as worthless as not having | | | | simple.In Today's world, we don't have to |
| trained at all? The answer is......you're | | | | deal with physical danger on a day-to-day |
| going to have to do some work ahead of | | | | basis like our martial ancestors did. And, |
| time.If you're going to get what you need to | | | | quite frankly, that's a good thing. However; |
| survive a street attack in Today's world, | | | | it also produces a situation where |
| you're going to have to do some research in | | | | underskilled, inexperienced, and sometimes |
| three important areas. They are...Knowing | | | | unscrupulous intructors can pass off lessons |
| What You NeedExamining Your Life and | | | | that are more harmful than good. But, that |
| Lifestyle, and...Researching the School, | | | | does't mean that you can't find good, |
| Program and TeacherI go into these areas in | | | | quality, accurate instruction. What it does |
| great depth in the book, "The Karate-Myth: | | | | mean is......you, and no one else, is |
| Why Most Martial Arts and Self-Defense | | | | responsible for your own safety and |
| Programs Don't Work and How to Be Safe in | | | | self-defense education.Jeffrey M. Miller is |
| Today's Violent World." To read more about | | | | the founder and master instructor of Warrior |
| it and these important topics, just go | | | | Concepts International. A senior teacher in |
| here.Let's take a look at each area to see | | | | the Japanese warrior art of Ninjutsu, he |
| what's really needed if you're serious about | | | | specializes in teaching the ancient ways of |
| getting control over this part of your | | | | self-protection and personal development |
| life.Knowing What You NeedThis area requires | | | | lessons in a way that is easily understood |
| that you direct your awareness at your | | | | and put to use by modern Western students and |
| community and the types of attacks that | | | | corporate clients. Through their martial arts |
| typically occur in your little corner of the | | | | training, his students and clients learn |
| world. Remember, you're probably not going | | | | proven, time-tested lessons designed to help |
| to be attacked by a kung-fu stylist launching | | | | them create the life they've always dreamed |
| a crane fist. However, knowing that 98% of | | | | of living, and the skills necessary for |
| attackers in North America use a hooking or | | | | protecting that life from anything that might |
| an uppercutting punch will take you a long | | | | threaten it. To learn more about sponsoring a |
| way towards learning techniques and defenses | | | | seminar and other related subjects, visit his |
| that will actually work.Examining Your Life | | | | website. |