Gang Awareness

The following is an exert of our self published book Guardian Angel (which has since been re-written and updated by our New Zealand Team Members Phil and Athena Thompson and can be purchased through Protect Self Defense by clicking the Guardian Angel Link): 

The book contains much valuable information for parents in relation to safety for children. Includes: Kidnappings, stranger awareness, abduction avoidance, assaults, bully prevention, unwanted touch prevention skills, awareness principles, and much, much more. 

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Seems that the recruitment of gang-bangers or potential gang members gets younger and younger each year.  No longer is this a problem with inner city kids. No matter where you live, the city, suburbs or even country, everyone is a target for a potential member.  The best defense is the best offense you can offer to the existing problem.

Stay involved in your child or teen's activities.  Although it is healthy for children and teens to want to explore certain areas of life without their parent's shadow, do not close the door or turn your head as to what direction they wish to travel in their current perceived innocent explorations.

Pay attention to the child/teens behavioral changes.  Every child/teen changes that is a fact.  Pay close attention as to what changes are made.  You may not agree with certain ideas and changes but you should keep an open mind and open door to your child/teens new likes.  Healthy debates are great for a teens character.  It builds more confidence and allows the teen to become more comfortable when speaking their mind.

Careful of disagreements.  Do not belittle the child or try to humiliate them.  This will only shut doors on your relationship and communication.  It is ok to agree to disagree.  Important question, is your child being hurt or is someone else hurting due to your child’s ideals?  Mistakes are a part of life but question which ones are best avoidable and have suitable answers for your child when discussing them.  A parent doesn’t necessarily need permission from a child to agree with their statements but if you the parents wish to acquire respect in the household, you also have to give it. 

If you notice your child is questioning gang type behavior or may be exposed or even if not at all, it is always good to educate both yourself and your child and learn at the same time about the various activities or situations, which occur in your very own neighborhoods.  The best part of this safety measure is that you and your child/teen are learning and doing an activity together.

  

Contact your local authorities and get involved (both you and your child) in neighborhood watch programs or kids helping other kids type programs.  This will allow both you and your child to understand a little better as to what is going on right outside your door.  Your child volunteering will be taught the benefits of community servicing and its rewards.  Volunteering could include the removing of graffiti, repairing vandalism or the removal of any gang type advertisement. This will also send a message within your neighborhood to the gang members that this is a community that will not be bullied by giving up their security for gang type behaviors and actions.

The child learns and gets to see for themselves why it’s not a good idea to become a member or involve themselves with gang members since they see other unfortunate kids living a world which is not so glamorized by Hollywood and TV.  This information the child obtains on their own can then be discussed with their parent and it is information which the parent not merely pointed the finger to say, this is bad or this is good.  The child explores that area in what they feel is by them granting them the feeling of independence.  By experiencing more independence the thought of throwing all they have earned away is less desirable.  The gangs and gang activities are evident still to the child/teen but with a lesser-desired effect to experience the consequences of being in or participating in gang type activities.

Work with your local Police department and report any suspected gang or gang like activities within your community.  Find out before hand which emergency numbers correspond with what type of emergencies for gang activities within your neighborhood.

Here are some tips in which you and your child or teen can play games and heighten their awareness, avoidance and assist in defusing or refusing to engage in possible threatening situations.

Gather some friends, neighbors and other parents with their children for a scenario training day.  The meeting place you choose should offer enough space for all to be able to participate comfortably in.  For example, parks, basements, a backyard, amusement center. 

Prior to meeting with all who intend on playing make sure that you as well as other parents have previously thought of specific scenarios in which your children will benefit from.  For example, make sure you cover the topic of someone wanting to entice a child to come closer to a car.  An adult asking a child for help or for their name.

Once you and other parents have drawn up enough scenarios, place the children in two or more groups and make the scenarios a team effort where points can be earned.  One child or more is selected for random scenarios and their teammates may call out advice to assist their team members.  Rewards are whatever you and the other parents decide it to be.

There is a thin line between negative and positive reinforcement.  In stating this, should a child make a mistake or a team lose by points, make sure no one is feeling less secure or feeling like they are easy victims.  Focus on congratulating the child/team on their correct responses rather than focuses on their errors.  Instead of stating “You’re wrong to…”  it is better to state, “Rather than…” or “Instead of…”  and following it up with “What do you think could have been done so the result would be different and safer for you…”  This provides the child the opportunity to problem solve further without pressure or stress.

Of course these are merely examples, you decide what words would work best to better reach your child and/or the group in a positive manner.

  

For older teens, a talk around the dinner table is great but without the information coming across as a lecture.   Try a debate for points.  You take on the pros of an activity and your child can have the cons.  Various situations are written on a piece of paper by each player and randomly selected out of a hat.  There should be one judge who will be fair for the teams and by awarding points should also explain why certain points are awarded.  As the parent you should be on the side of the PRO gang activity and your teen the CON side.  By you playing your part well the teen will have to work harder at finding reasons (for themselves and by themselves) to come up with reasons as to why gangs and gang like activities are not best suited for a healthy lifestyle. Rewards could be whatever you decide as a group is fair and fun at the same time.

Excerpt from Senshido International Guardian Angel Book:  Turning Parents Into Warriors and Making Predators Child's Prey (No longer for sale, new updated version available through Protect Self Defense)

Senshido International Australian 2011 Tour

Seminar Information and Bookings Click HERE

Jasper, Alberta Martial Arts Group Classes:

 
 EXCLUSIVELY OFFERED IN BEAUTIFUL JASPER, ALBERTA CANADA AT THE ACTIVITY CENTER'S OLD GYM DOWNSTAIRS!

One year of Martial Arts, Mind, Body & Spirit by Jennifer (Jasper Team Member)

When I started Martial Arts with Rich Dimitri, I never imagined that my life would be so different one year later. I started for exercise; I wanted to improve my body, lose weight, become healthier and stronger. I never imagined that my mental strength would be stronger than ever.

Physically I have gone from a size 10 to a size 6, I have lost 10 pounds and gained muscle in places I never knew I had muscle.

Mentally, I can do anything. When I started I had/have, always will be, dealing with a very emotional divorce. My self confidence had disappeared and I didn't like myself anymore. Senshido has taught me that I am stronger, capable of doing anything that I put my mind to. It has also shown me that by improving myself, I have inspired others. I was always the one that wanted to be like someone else. To have people/members tell me that I inspire them to do better is a very surreal feeling.

I am important, that is what my training has taught me most. One year later, I love myself again and I have Senshido and it's evolution towards just being Martial Arts, Rich, Tania and all the Jasper members to thank for that!

I know this year is going to be even more amazing and I am looking forward to it! Bring it on! DO SOME!

For more info please call 780-852-4100 or Email: Martialartsjasper@hotmail.com and

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If this doesn't provoke some thought....

http://www.truththeory.org/zeitgeist-3-moving-forward/

The How To's of Scenario Replications PART 3

The conclusion to the 3 part article:

Through experience and years of researching violence and how fights begin and evolve, we have created a step-by-step process (formula) that allows you to experience the emotional and behavioral elements as well as the physical variables of a real assault.

Step 1: Create the scenario: If possible, always refer to a situation that has really occurred to someone where (sadly and unfortunately) the individual was victimized or potentially victimized.  This can be either through personal experience, news, word of mouth, research etc.  The premise of the attack should be congruous to the replication and in tuned with the scenario and the individual participating. The scenario itself must coincide with the student’s (participant’s) lifestyle (I.e. don’t create a bar scene/scenario for an individual that doesn’t frequent such establishments).  Lifestyle familiarity for each individual is critical here.

Establish the time of day, the environment, the frame of mind, the reason behind the attack, the presence of other parties etc.  The scenario must unfold based on the circumstances surrounding it, as each variable will affect the outcome and response.

Beyond 'Techniques'

This article first appeared  on our forum in 2003 as a response to varying questions regarding our take on our conceptual approach vs a technical one:

"The conventions of language reveals the ways in which we see the world." ~ Dan Millman

Techniques as described by Webster's II New College Dictionary goes as follows:

Technique: 1. The systematic procedure by which a complex or scientific task is accomplished. 2. Procedure, system, routine; method. 3. The degree of skill or command of fundamentals exhibited in a performance.

All 3 of these definitions do not relate to personal protection as we all (should) know that fine or complex motor skills go out the window. Tool and target development based on strategies and tactics is NOT a "systematic procedure".
In martial arts today, the term "technique" is expressed as a physical response to an attack. For the most part, it is looked as "If someone does this, you do that." If we're to take a look around at the majority of martial arts forums, you'll see threads like (the following are actual threads found on various popular martial arts forums)

- "Which technique would you use against a grappler?"
- "What's your favorite technique?"
- "What are the best self defense techniques?"

Etc. Etc. 

The problem with 'techniques' in the context provided above, is that those who use them look to them for a specific result (in order to establish their next technique) as opposed to the reaction from their attacker as the consequence of their chosen action. The problem lies within the lack of ability to see the 'fight' outside 'the box', outside of the technical applications, since the individual using it cannot choose if the technique worked or not (especially the way it was designed to function). Your opponent will always dictate what your next 'move' is going to be based on their reactions; behavior, state of mind, state of emotions, will dictate. 

PART 2 of 'The How To's of Realistic Scenario Replication'

The Formula

How to replicate a scenario in training? Most think that because they swear at each other a few times prior to fighting all out that they are scenario-based training.  Scenario replications require much more than that.  In a real fight, there are several variables and affecting factors that can and will alter the results and chosen actions of the situation. The affecting factors are, as follows and in no particular order:

Time: The specificity of the time of day/night in which the scenario takes place makes a difference. Take the following example for instance: 

It’s 6:30 in the morning and you just woke up seconds ago from a short night’s sleep.  You hear the garbage truck outside your house and realize you forgot to take the trash out last night and it is piling and smelling up the environment.  You rush to take the trash out and as you do, one of the bags slips out of your hand onto the pavement and tears open in front of the garbage men.  This pisses off the garbage man who has been working since 5am to pick up trash and he gets off his truck mouthing off at you then shoves you hard in the chest threatening to kick your butt. 

Considering the time of day, the way you feel, your state of mind and the fact that you are in your robe and haven’t yet had your first cup of java, how do you honestly think you will react in that particular moment? A take down perhaps? A chin jab?  Doubtfully.  Chances are, you are exhausted, the light of day is affecting your eyesight and you never even saw the shove coming.

The primary attack on an individual is a behavioral one; the second portion of the attack is a psychological one.  The last phase of an attack is a physical one.

Let’s take the exact same scenario with the garbage man and change the time frame.  

A Little Humorous History

(The following first appeared in Senshido's "Bible of Hand to Hand Combat" volume #8 – circa 1995)


Read, enjoy, take with a grain of salt or two… and if any of it sounds too familiar... perhaps shop around for another martial art school:

AN INFORMATION SESSION AT A 

COMMERCIAL TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL

Mrs. Jane Herman (Potential client)
“Hi, I’m Jane Herman, I’d like some information about your courses, I’m actually here for self defense, I have a family and would like to know how to protect myself in case the unfortunate need should ever arise.”

Master Sensei (Of no oriental origins)
“So, you are interested in self defense? Sure, Our style is the best. We specialize in self-defense. Mrs. Herman is it? May I call you Jane? Well Jane, you’ll learn things like the traditional front forward stance, six blocks and three kata’s / forms. In addition, you’ll be training barefoot and in a crisp white Gi with a white belt.

What He’s really saying:
“No one ever uses this stuff in self defense simply, well, because the shit doesn’t work. Honest, think about it... ever see anyone attack anyone during a violent confrontation using a lunge punch or side kick? But, if you repeatedly do it year after year after year in the hopes of accomplishing “inner peace” and self discipline, you may end up appreciating it, in the mean time, you’ll feel frustrated and uncoordinated just like a good white belt should.”

Jane Herman - “How about cardiovascular training and weight reduction?”

Master Sensei - “You want to lose weight and gain confidence, no problem, our style is designed for maximum efficiency in all areas. Mind, Body, Spirit, Jane. Here is your uniform, it is called a Gi, you must treat it with the utmost respect for it is your traditional garb for every time you train”

What He’s really saying:

The How To's of Realistic Scenario Replication PART 1:

The following is an exert from one of our best selling packages "The Scenario Replication package" DVD and Manual and appeared prior to that in our Bible of Hand to Hand Combat vol #13 circa 1995:

INTRODUCTION: What is scenario-based training?

Scenario based training is an efficient method of training situational responses that allows the students/participants to learn and apply their knowledge and skills as they participate in realistic situations. This method of training and learning allows students to move from theory to practical application of skills in all areas and helps create the proper mental blue prints needed to survive a violent confrontation. When students learn to apply their skills in scenarios, they are better prepared to react appropriately in real fights and confrontations as the mind develops the appropriate files to deal with the circumstances in a familiar setting.  Law enforcement officers, military personnel, fire fighters world wide use this method of training successfully. 


Realism is an important aspect to maintain when replicating scenarios. The environment should be real or replicated as realistically as possible, complete with realistic opponents and partners. To further provide a realistic simulation in this environment, the student/participant should have as much of a free range (both physically and strategically) of action as possible; their actions should not be constrained by what the instructor’s or said system or style they train in envision the student should do. We refer to the student’s desired actions and responses in the moment as ‘guided chaos’. 

If we were to isolate one single goal of scenario replication training, then it would be to maximize this guided chaos through tactical and strategic implementation based on realistic and researched behavioral doctrines. However, since scenario replication training is a learning tool, there are specific training goals and formulas for every given scenario. In order to achieve those goals, the instructor needs the representational flexibility to formalize the goals for the scenarios, to script them out in a conceptual manner, and have a way to dynamically modify the scenario to ensure that the proper or most desired results are achieved by the participants.

We define the instructor’s goal to specify the exact scenario he wishes based on experience and/or research and factual events and the participant’s lifestyle as ‘tactical selection’. The purpose is to attempt to find a balance between ‘guided chaos’ and the ‘tactical selections’.

The End of God?

A very thought provoking documentary - remember, "Absorb what is useful, add what is specifically of your own and disregard the rest." ~ Bruce Lee

http://www.truththeory.org/the-end-of-god-a-horizon-guide-to-science-and-religion/