Personal Protection and Self Defense

Civil Protection Training Program Velocity Martial Arts

Dr. Gregory T. Lawton

10th Degree Black Belt

Mizu Odori Ryu Kenpo Taijutsu

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Civil Protection Training Program Personal Protection and Self-Defense

Velocity Martial Arts Dr. Gregory T. Lawton

Civil Protection Training Program, Copyright 2015

Dr. Gregory T. Lawton

All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval

system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

recording or otherwise, without written permission from Gregory T. Lawton. Muyblue Productions

2040 Raybrook SE, Suite 104

Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

616-464-0892

Writing, Photography and Design – Dr. Gregory T. Lawton

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Dedication

This training manual and program is dedicated to my mother

Betty Lou Lawton.

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Foreword

As a child growing up I was known as the neighborhood defender. I

would fight for and defend the small or “weaker” kids against larger kids

and bullies. That characteristic has continued in my life as a fierce sense

of personal fairness and social justice. Once I began to study and to train

in the martial arts I started to teach others how to defend themselves.

That is the purpose of this training manual and program, to teach

average people how to avoid conflict, or should conflict confront them

how to neutralize a threat non-violently, or if violence or an assault

should occur how to protect themselves and hopefully to stop the violence

and to remain safe and unhurt.

This training manual is organized into two sections. In Section One, An

Introduction to Self-Defense, the student will learn about the

fundamental concepts of self-defense including self-defense and the law.

In Section Two, Practical Self-Defense Skills, the student will learn basic

and effective physical fighting and self-defense techniques.

The most important rule in this training program is this, “No student has

to participate in any training session or technique with which they are

uncomfortable.”

As a writer I adhere to a principle called, “Fewness of words”. This

principle means that I attempt to present to the reader the essential and

most important concepts of an idea, topic, or subject in as few words as

is possible to get the meaning or concept across to the reader.

Rather than present numerous abstract facts and principles to the

student I am presenting real life encounters, experiences, and stories and

inviting, through a series of module tasks, to discuss the principles and

concepts involved.

This training manual is provided to students in a 3 ring binder format

and additional lessons and course materials are added to this program as

the students progress through the training manual and their training

classes.

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Disclaimer

This self-defense training manual and the training that is part of this

program is intended to be used by good, decent, well-intentioned people

who want to use this knowledge to preserve peace and security in their

lives. As an author and a teacher of the martial arts and self-defense

classes I do not promote or condone violence and I do support the

avoidance of violence and harm to another human being.

I assume no liability for the misuse of the techniques, methods and

knowledge that is provided in this training manual. The first rule of self-

defense is the avoidance of trouble and conflict. The information

presented in this training program is not intended to be misused for the

purpose of causing harm.

In the material concerning, “Self-Defense and the Law” I am not an

attorney and this information should not be construed as legal advice. If

you need legal advice seek out and consult with an attorney.

The section in the training manual and program that pertains to physical

self-defense skills is intended to be used only as a last resort and only to

the degree that is necessary to preserve your safety or life.

The training techniques in this manual pertaining to weapons are

intended to teach you what to expect if you are attacked by a person who

is attempting to use a weapon against you and is not intended to promote

your use of weapons in an illegal manner.

None of the comments in this book are intended to denigrate any martial

art style or system, frankly I have studied many of martial arts myself, I

believe, however, that the material in this training manual and training

program will prove to be the most effective for your self-defense.

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Dr. Gregory T. Lawton, Your Training Instructor

This self-defense program is taught by Dr. Gregory Lawton, 9th Degree

Black Belt in Kosho Ryu Kenpo Jujitsu and 10th degree Black Belt Mizu

Odori Ryu Taijitsu.

Dr. Lawton is a state licensed Chiropractor and Naprapath, is national

board and state certified in acupuncture, and is certified in Naturopathy

in Kentucky and Idaho. He has trained in the martial arts for over 50

years. Dr. Lawton studied Chinese martial arts with the renowned

Chinese teacher Professor Huo Chi-Kwang and he was a Kenpo student

of Master Thomas Connor who studied with the founder of American

Kenpo Karate, Ed Parker.

Dr. Lawton has taught the martial arts since the early 1970’s and his

students have included special needs populations including

disadvantaged youth and victims of domestic abuse and assault, Native

American youth in a group home facility, as well as, law enforcement and

fire department personnel. Dr. Gregory T. Lawton served in the U.S.

Army from 1965 to 1968 and was honorably discharged with the rank of

Sergeant E-5.

Dr. Lawton has been a member of the Bahá'í Faith since 1970.

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It is better to heal, than to harm.

Welcome and thank you for your interest and enrollment in our self-

defense classes.

Self-defense skills are very important for individuals, families, and

communities. Every individual has the right to defend themselves,

mentally and physically, from abuse and assault. Abuse and assault may

include mental and emotional, as well as, physical aspects. These physical

aspects include assault and battery and sexual assault. Family members

have the responsibility to watch out for and to protect each other. Parents,

of course, have the duty to protect their children from harm. Older

children in a family have the responsibility to protect the younger

children in their family.

Communities have the responsibility and the duty to provide security and

protection for its citizens. Individual citizens have the duty to assist their

neighbors.

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In this training program we will present the fundamental components of

self-defense. You may be surprised to learn that 90 percent of self-

defense is simply awareness and avoidance. The other 10 percent is

composed of 5 percent communication skills and 5 percent physical

protection skills.

No one wants to be involved in conflict or violence, no one wants to be

injured or killed, or to have a loved one or a friend injured or killed. We

all want to live and to enjoy life in peace. However, as is evident from the

daily news coverage, bad things happen. This training program is about

how to minimize those bad incidents in your life but it is also about what

to do if you are confronted with conflict or violence.

This is not a book about fighting, it is a book about finding ways to avoid

or to peacefully resolve conflict. This program is not intended to glorify

or to promote violence, on the contrary, this program is about not causing

harm to another human being.

It is my hope that you will find this training program a valuable

experience in your life.

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Section One

An Introduction to Self-Defense

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Introduction

Over 30 years ago I was introduced to the woman that would give me the

motivation and mission to build a school that would provide not only

training in the martial arts and self-defense to men and women, but also

professional career training in conventional allied health care and the

alternative healing arts.

At the time that I met this woman I was the vice president of a large

medical psychology firm located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My job

titles included vice president and director of the out-patient hospital

division and my job responsibilities entailed a great amount of national

travel.

This is why when I was approached by one of the Ph.D. psychologists on

staff at the firm and was asked by him to consult with one of his patients

and her husband I was resistant to do so.

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For several weeks, every time that I returned to the firm from one out of

state hospital or another, he would approach me with a request to see his

patient. After repeated urgent requests I gave in and agreed to meet with

his patient and her husband. All that I was told as to why I was meeting

with this couple was that they had suffered some kind of family trauma

and had an interest in self-defense training.

During this period in my career I was not conducting group martial art

classes but I was training select students, usually law enforcement officers,

in tactical hand to hand combat skills. My usual students were police

officers who had been in highly stressful situations where they had found

themselves rolling around on the ground and fighting for their lives.

They had discovered that the training that they had received in law

enforcement training programs had not prepared them for life and death

fights on the city streets.

When the day came for me to meet with my colleagues patients I met with

the woman and her husband in one of the counseling rooms at the firm.

This couple was well dressed and the woman was quietly polite, petite,

and obviously nervous. After a few cordial introductions and some small

talk I asked the woman how I could be of assistance to her. I have never

forgotten her answer because her response to me was, “I need you to

teach me how to kill.”

Once I recovered from my initial surprise I asked the woman why she

wanted to learn how to kill and she shared her heartbreaking and tragic

story with me. Please keep in mind as your read this story that there are

3 kinds of students that an ethical and competent teacher will never

accept as students, and certainly someone who announces that they want

to learn how to kill falls into one of those categories. The three categories

of students that a good teacher will not accepted include the sexually

perverse, the violent, and students who lack the ability to learn and to

remember the information that is taught to them.

The woman began to explain her story to me in halting and painful words,

punctuated by tears. The woman, her husband, and her then 11 year old

daughter had been in their home in East Grand Rapids, Michigan when

two men broke into their home and assaulted her husband, and raped her

at knife point while using her 11 year old daughter as a threat to make

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her comply. Over a period of several hours she was repeatedly raped by

both men in front of her husband and her daughter.

Prior to meeting this woman I had always used my training to help people

in need of training and to help to empower those who had been physically

and mentally harmed by violent assaults. This woman’s story and plight

so moved me that I began what was later to become an over 35 year

mission to assist anyone that needed training and education. Obviously,

I accepted her as a student and I began to train her in the martial arts

and self-defense.

From the story and experience of this one student was begun the Blue

Heron Academy of Healing Arts and Sciences. Today, 12,000 students

and counting, this mission continues.

Module Task:

Within your group discuss this story and how it may have affected you.

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Why Learn Self-Defense?

Why learn self-defense? This is a question that I am often asked by

individuals who have lived lives devoid of abuse, assault, or violence.

Rarely am I asked this question by a victim of childhood abuse, physical

assault, sexual assault or a violent crime. Some students will resist

training in avoidance, awareness, or situational awareness claiming that

if they have to practice these habits or alter their daily lives in any way

that that in and of itself is a form of “assault”. I learned long ago that

you cannot change a person’s opinion, you can only attempt to change

their point of view or perspective, and so I do not try to change opinions.

I might suggest, however, that if you could see the world from the point

of view of someone who is survivor of childhood abuse, incest, rape, and

violent assault you might at least admit that some of the skill sets that are

taught in a self-defense program have merit. If you do not personally

want to learn self-defense skills, which are mostly mental, then please do

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not discourage or hinder the sincere efforts of someone that does want to

learn these skills and abilities.

Most good drivers drive defensively, and I hope that you are a good driver

because I might be next to you on the highway. Defensive drivers are

situationally aware. They know where their vehicle is on the road and

watch the traffic in front and beyond the cars that they are following,

they watch the traffic in their rear view mirror approaching them from

behind, especially at stop signs and at red lights, they monitor traffic in

their side mirrors, and they watch their blind spots on both sides of their

vehicle. Good drivers develop a 6th sense and know in advance when

another driver might quickly change lanes or veer into their lane.

These basic driving skills are used by good drivers over and over again,

minute to minute, while driving. These skills are called avoidance (of an

accident) overall awareness, and situational awareness and they are

performed by most drivers almost automatically.

This driving comparison is an analogy for learning the key elements of

self-defense which are avoidance, overall awareness, and situational

awareness. You learned these skills to get a driver’s license and to be able

to drive to work, now won’t you learn to adapt these same skills to protect

yourself and your loved ones?

Bad things can happen to good people, but they don’t have to.

Module Task:

In your group discuss your personal reasons for wanting to learn self-

defense.

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What is Self-Defense?

Let’s review nine basic concepts related to typical questions and answers

regarding self-defense:

One – Self-defense is the act of defending one's person when physically or

mentally attacked, and by using a set of skills that may include avoidance,

awareness, verbal confrontation skills, safety strategies, and physical

techniques such as countering blows or overcoming an assailant.

Two – No one invites an assault or deserves to be mugged, robbed, or

beaten. Men and women may sometimes exercise poor judgment

regarding decisions that they make regarding their personal safety and

their personal behavior. The choices that they make and the behaviors

that they engage in does not make them responsible for being attacked or

assaulted. It is the attacker that is responsible for the choice that they

have made to harm a human being.

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Three – A self-defense program cannot make you immune to being

victimized but it may help you to avoid and/or effectively deal with

threatening situations or an actual attack. Every situation is unique and

there are no guarantees that a self-defense strategy or technique will

work.

Four - Does Self-Defense Work? Self-defense training can increase your

options and help you prepare responses to slow down, de-escalate, or

interrupt an attack. Like any tool, the more you know about it, the more

informed you are to make a decision, and to use it.

Five – There is no standardized self-defense class or program, there are

instead many different approaches to self-defense. Some students choose

programs that involve psychological skills and “hand to hand” fighting

techniques, others learn the use of weapons or self-defense aids such as

knives, sticks, pepper spray and/or mace, and still others chose to

purchase a hand gun and take tactical and concealed weapons training

classes. Avoid expensive courses and teachers that guarantee unrealistic

results. Avoid teachers whose only suggested solution to a threat is

physical violence.

Six – You do not have to train for years in the martial arts in order to be

able to defend yourself. Some traditional martial art programs are not

effective in terms of providing self-defense skills. Self-defense and the

skills sets required for self-defense, while similar to some martial arts

techniques, are different from classical martial art techniques and have

a different objective. A major component of self-defense is avoidance

and awareness and to avoid not having to fight.

Seven – Even among self-defense and martial art experts there is an

argument whether, in certain circumstances, a person should resist an

assailant or not. For example, should you yield to a physical assault or a

rape? There is no easy answer for this and there are examples of

successful resistance and examples where resistance failed. Perhaps the

answer to this issue lies in the unique circumstances and characteristics

of each situation.

There have been studies that demonstrate that using self-defense skills,

including fighting off an attacker, does not increase the level of personal

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injury to a victim, and in fact decreases the likelihood of being injured or

killed.

Eight – What is realistic self-defense? It is impossible to predict the

circumstances or the characteristics of an exact attack. Situations and

circumstances vary. So there cannot realistically be a sense of being 100

percent prepared. Additionally, the most important aspect of any attack

or assault is psychological preparation. Psychological preparation is

more important than physical conditioning or the victim’s sex or age.

Effective self-defense techniques involve simple movements, and are not

complex. Effective self-defense techniques are smart, and do not rely on

physical strength.

Nine – As has been stated several times in this material, and it will

continue to be emphasized in this training program, effective self-defense

programs mainly deal with mental preparation, avoidance, awareness,

and hopefully a non-violent approach to personal safety. No person is too

old, out of condition, or disabled to learn self-defense. In fact, every man,

woman, and child should be trained in self-defense.

Module Task:

Within your group discuss each one of the nine concepts listed above and

add your own personal perspective and opinion on each concept. Write

down your thoughts and ideas on self-defense here.

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The Fundamental Principles of Personal Protection

Everyone has the right to protect themselves. Even the smallest creatures

on earth have been given the ability to protect themselves. From the

evolutionary characteristics of environmental camouflage, to chemical

protectants, to horn and hoof, and teeth and claws all creatures have

evolved the ability to protect themselves and to defend their young.

Human beings lacking fur, horns, hooves, sharp tearing teeth, and long

ripping claws have developed hand, foot, knee, and elbow fighting skills

and they have invented weapons such as the knife, sword, spear, bow, and

guns.

Anyone can find themselves in a bad situation or at the wrong place at

the wrong time. Young people tend to be at the greatest risk of being a

victim of violence and most victims are between the ages of 18 and 24

years old. Young people are at greatest risk because of a number of

factors including:

1. Young people may simply be more active than older adults.

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2. Young people may lack experience, be unaware of, or ignore

danger signs.

3. Young people may lack the self-confidence to leave or to get

away from a potentially dangerous situation.

4. Young people are more likely to give into peer pressure.

5. Young people may find dangerous situations, people, or groups

exciting or attractive.

6. Young people may drink heavily or use drugs other than, and in

addition, to alcohol.

7. Young people may be less likely to back away from a

confrontation.

8. Young people may not want to listen to good advice.

9. Young people may have more ego invested in appearing to be

“cool” or not wanting to appear to be afraid.

The best form of self-defense is to ensure that you have prepared for an

attack before it happens and that means that you do not take unnecessary

risks with your personal safety. Learn to avoid the areas, places, and

people in your life that might increase your risk of being attacked. Your

local police department can provide you with crime statistics that inform

you as to where the most dangerous areas of your city are. Avoid those

areas, especially at night. High risk areas include:

1. High crime areas (Do you live in one?)

2. Bars and nightclubs

3. Concerts

4. Sporting events

5. ATMs

6. Poorly lit areas

7. Parking garages

8. Parking lots

9. Alleyways

10. Industrial areas at night

11. Public parks day and night

12. Unpatrolled and unlit beaches

13. Buffer areas next to high crime areas

14. Any remote area with few pedestrians

15. Anywhere where drugs and alcohol are being used

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The more that you frequent these high risk areas or events the greater is

your risk of an assault.

Self-defense is not about being able to fight it is rather a way of living.

Many self-defense programs spend a lot of time teaching you how to deal

with the “mugger”, the “rapist”, and the “stranger”, but the reality is

that 84 percent of all violent attacks are perpetuated by someone you

know and very often someone that you are living with. When we discuss

self-responsibility for your personal safety that responsibility begins in

our own close personal relationships and our homes.

We live in a society and culture of fear and violence and threats can

develop at any time, including when you least expect them. It is always

best to avoid conflict and fighting whenever possible because the

consequences of any attack can be serious or fatal.

Avoidance

The first fundamental principle of personal protection is avoidance. The

best way to protect oneself is simply not to be where there is trouble. This

principle is called risk avoidance. In order to avoid trouble you need to

know where trouble is. Make an avoidance plan by listing areas, events,

or activities that increase your risk exposure.

Module Task:

Risk Avoidance Plan -

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Awareness

The second fundamental principle of personal protection is awareness.

The principle of awareness is often referred to as situation awareness, but

I prefer the concept of being aware at all times and in all places, not just

situationally. There are some activities, areas, events, and locations that

demand a higher level of awareness. For this exercise make a situational

awareness list of includes activities, areas, events, and locations where

you believe that you should be situationally aware.

Module Task:

Situational Awareness List -

Psychological (Mental and Emotional) Wellbeing or Balance

The process of self-defense is largely a matter of psychological, mental,

and emotional wellbeing or balance. It is important that a person is not

aggressive or violent, does not have a fragile or over inflated ego that

needs to prove itself, and is not looking for trouble. On the other hand in

certain circumstances a person needs to be able to stand up for

themselves and when the situation warrants it to present a strong

personality and mental willpower, as well as, the intention to defend one’s

self should that become necessary.

From a teaching viewpoint a good teacher should not train bullies or

people who want to use their training to hurt other people. From a

personal viewpoint if a person is incapable of marshalling the mental

focus and intention to defend themselves then their training might

actually get them hurt.

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Due to complicated combinations of personality traits and early

childhood development experiences and environment factors some

people become bullies and violent offenders.

Module Task:

What do you think are the negative characteristics that could lead to a

person becoming a violent offender or aggressor?

Also due to a complicated combination of inherited personality traits,

early childhood development, and environment factors other people

become peacemakers and the defenders of others.

What do you think are the positive characteristics that could contribute

to a person becoming a peacemaker or a defender?

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Module Task:

Key discussion points for group discussion:

There is a moral and legal difference between “fighting” and self-

defense.

You have the responsibility for your own safety.

You have the responsibility to defend yourself and others.

You have the right to be safe.

You have the right to defend yourself or others.

You have the legal right to use force to defend yourself.

You have the legal right to defend your property.

You have the right to use reasonable and necessary force to defend

yourself, others, and your property.

You do not have a duty to warn an assailant that you intend to

defend yourself.

In many circumstances (and states/countries) you have the right to

use preemptive force against an assailant.

In many circumstances (and states/countries) you do not have a

“duty to retreat” from an assailant.

When faced with a threat and an assailant there is no legal

expectation of “minimum force”.

When faced with a threat and an assailant, striking first is not a

crime.

When you are faced with a credible threat and an assailant you may

use available weapons at hand that would under other conditions

be considered illegal.

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Coopers Modified Situational Awareness Color Alert System

Major John Dean Cooper was a United States Marine, who developed an

alertness system for evaluating threat levels, primarily for the use of a

handgun. The color code, as originally introduced by Jeff Cooper, had

nothing to do with tactical situations or alertness levels, but rather with

one's state of mind. As taught by Cooper, it relates to the degree of threat

you are willing to do something about and which allows you to move from

one state of mind to another to enable you to properly handle a given

situation. Cooper did not claim to have invented anything in particular

with the color code, but he was apparently the first to use it as an

indication of mental state.

CONDITION WHITE- Mental State

Condition white is the state of being oblivious to a threat. The person is

not alert and is completely unaware of their surroundings and any

potential threats. Unfortunately this is a common state for many people

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as they walk along sending text messages on their smart phone or are

plugged into a pair of headphones and listening to music. This is a high

risk state because it can lead to victimization.

CONDITION YELLOW – Mental State

Condition yellow is a relaxed state of general alertness. In this state you

are not looking for anything or anyone you simply are quietly alert and

aware of your immediate environment. In this state you are difficult to

surprise and you can easily slip into higher levels of alertness. In this

state you are difficult to victimize.

CONDITION ORANGE- Mental State

In condition orange a very specific threat has entered your awareness and

you are focused on evaluating the extent of that threat. The difference

between condition yellow and condition orange is that you have become

aware of a specific threat. To provide an example that I experienced it

was a man sitting on the floor in a movie theatre wearing a camouflage

jacket and rifling his hands through a military backpack.

CONDITION RED- Mental State

In condition red you are mobilizing your internal and external resources

to fight. You could switch from a mental to a physical reaction in a

fraction of a second. The key to situation red is that you are ready to

fight.

Escalation/De-escalation

The entire process of moving from yellow, orange, and red can take

minutes or seconds and it can escalate up the scale or de-escalate down

the scale as the circumstances and the situation changes. So far all of these

states are non-physical and are mental states.

CONDITION BLACK – Physical and Mental

Condition black is full attack. Condition black is the phrase in which

you are physically engaged in defending yourself and attacking your

assailant.

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Module Task:

In your group discuss this color coding system and give personal

examples for each of the state of alertness and/or threats that you have

experienced.

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Personal Faith, Religion, and Self-Defense

While most training programs on self-defense take into consideration

psychological, emotional, legal and physical principles and concepts, few

if any consider the subject from a religious, faith, or spiritual perspective.

The following material on the subject of violence or self-defense is taken

from several faith traditions and constitutes an interfaith approach to the

topic.

Module Task:

Use the following interfaith quotes or material (and any others that you

know personally) to discuss the religious, faith based, or spiritual

principles and concepts involved in a person’s choice to defend

themselves, even should that defense include lethal force.

The Jewish Faith Tradition

This quote establishes a justification for engaging in a category of war

not mentioned in Deuteronomy 20 or in the talmudic analysis of

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obligatory and discretionary wars. Significantly, there is no explicit,

biblical justification for engaging in defensive war. The Jewish rabbis do

establish a duty of self‑defense for each individual on the basis of Exodus

22:1. As the Talmud states, "If someone comes to kill you, get up early in

the morning to kill him first." (Berakhot 58a; Yoma 85b; Sanhedrin 72a)

Each individual has the right of self‑defense.

The Christian Faith Tradition

In Luke 22:35-38 it states, “And he said to them, “When I sent you out

with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They

said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a

moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no

sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this Scripture must

be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For

what is written about me has its fulfillment.” 38 And they said, “Look,

Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, 38“It is enough.”

In Exodus 22:2-3 “If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he

dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, 3 but if the sun has risen on him,

there shall be bloodguilt for him. He shall surely pay. If he has nothing,

then he shall be sold for his theft.”

The Muslim Faith Tradition

Islam allows self-defense (Qur'an 22:39), to protect those who have been

removed from their homes by force because they are Muslims (Qur'an

22:40), and to protect the innocent who are being oppressed (Qur'an

4:75).

In the Qur'an 5:32 if anyone killed a person - unless it was for murder or

for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed the whole

people. Further in the Qur’an 5:87 “O you who believe, do not prohibit

good things that are made lawful by GOD, and do not aggress; GOD

dislikes the aggressors”, Qur’an 8:61 “If they resort to peace, so shall you,

and put your trust in GOD. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.”. Qur’an

4:90 “...if they leave you alone, refrain from fighting you, and offer you

peace, then GOD gives you no excuse to fight them.”

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The Bahá'í Faith Tradition

“A hitherto untranslated Tablet from 'Abdu'l-Bahá, however, points out

that in the case of attack by robbers and highwaymen, a Bahá'í should

not surrender himself, but should try, as far as circumstances permit, to

defend himself, and later on lodge a complaint with the government

authorities. In a letter written on behalf of the Guardian, he also indicates

that in an emergency when there is no legal force at hand to appeal to, a

Bahá'í is justified in defending his life. In another letter the Guardian has

further pointed out that the assault of an irresponsible assailant upon a

Bahá'í should be resisted by the Bahá'í, who would be justified, under

such circumstances, in protecting his life.” Published in Messages from

the Universal House of Justice: 1963-1986, page 148

“...From the texts you already have available it is clear that Bahá'u'lláh

has stated that it is preferable to be killed in the path of God's good

pleasure than to kill, and that organized religious attack against Bahá'ís

should never turn into any kind of warfare, as this is strictly prohibited

in our Writings.” The Universal House of Justice, Guidance on Self-

Defense:

Other Faith Traditions

In the religious faiths of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism we find the

principle of non-violence or Ahimsã. Ahimsã is a Sanskrit word meaning

“to do no harm”. While the principle means the avoidance of violence

self-defense is allowed.

“Ahimsã is not just non-violence or not resorting to arms, but it is also

the feeling that tries to reduce harm to all living creatures. Sometimes,

force or violence may in fact be necessary to prevent harm. Suppose a

train is heading towards a child who is standing in the middle of railroad

tracks. We would be inclined to push the child out of the way to save his

or her life. Suppose that a wild animal is running ferociously to attack a

group of tourists. The animal may need to be wounded to prevent harm

to numerous people. Ahimsã recognizes the right to defend one’s self,

family, community, and country through the most feasible and

appropriate, yet least violent, means necessary. However, defending

oneself should never be used to justify violence that is not provoked or

warranted. One should be careful that defending one’s self does not

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become a hidden form of aggression.” Source: Shri Swaminarayan

Mandir

Module Task:

In your group discuss your faith traditions position on violence and on

self-defense (two different concepts).

Module Task:

How would you feel if in the course of defending your life, or a another

person’s, you accidently took a life? Which prophet in the Christian bible

accidently took a life?

31

Physical Self-defense Skill Sets

There are perhaps as many approaches to the martial arts and physical

self-defense techniques as there are instructors and practitioners. There

are dozens of styles of martial arts that represent the traditional marital

arts of many cultures. Some forms of traditional martial arts are well

suited to self-defense and others are not. Some forms of martial art claim

to be non-violent and completely defensive and other forms employ

methods that are very aggressive and potentially lethal.

While most martial art schools claim to be effective for self-defense some

martial art training is better suited to sports arenas and sport

competition and does not equate well to reality based self-defense

scenarios. Typical self-defense training programs use simplified

techniques that are more direct and that do not require years of intensive

training.

Section Two of this training program, Practical Self-Defense Skills,

covers the basic and simplified techniques that we practice in this training

program.

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You do not have to be a martial art expert or in peak physical condition

to employ the psychological, mental, and physical techniques of self-

defense. Sometimes just the demonstration of a willingness to physically

defend oneself is enough to deter an assailant who is looking for easy prey.

For example, I had a female student in Evanston, Illinois who was

accosted on a train platform at night. She was alone on the platform with

two men who had her cornered and the only way off of the platform,

down the stairs, and to safety on the street was to walk between them. As

she quickly and boldly walked between them (as they attempted to block

her path) one of the men reached out to touch her right breast. Her

reaction was to push his hand away and to calmly keep on walking. They

were so surprised at her sudden move that she got through them and to

the safety of other people on the street. The movement that she used to

push his hand away from her breast was called “Cloud Hands” and it is

a basic tai chi technique.

Street attackers and muggers are not looking for a fight they are looking

for a victim. Remember, there are no rules or referees on the street.

Module Task:

Within your group discuss any close encounters with assailants that you

have had.

33

Self-Defense and the Law

If you have to physically defend yourself from a violent assault and

during your defense of yourself, or another person, you harm, maim, or

take the life of another human being your normal life as you have known

it will end. That is a sad fact and almost inevitable consequence of any

self-defense act that results in harm to another human being. If you

successfully defended yourself against being killed, you will still be alive

to live your life and to be with your loved ones but the civil and criminal

consequences will be emotionally and financially significant. At the very

least there will likely be substantial legal fees and/or legal judgments on

behalf of the assailant or their family or you may face manslaughter or

homicide charges.

The above listed issues are only the material consequences that can result

from physical self-defense. Physical self-defense also can have an

emotional toll that occurs from harming another human being, as well as,

long term issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

34

In the US each state has separate laws that pertain to acts of violence,

aggression, assault, and self-defense. The State of Michigan has the

following law:

Michigan Self Defense Law - Michigan Public Act 309 of 2006

If you feel that your, or someone else's, wellbeing or life is being

threatened you may take defensive or lethal preemptive action.

In the state of Michigan you have the right to use lethal force to defend

yourself but the right of self-defense does not make you immune to a civil

lawsuit or criminal prosecution.

Some states do not have a right to preemptive action law and instead have

a duty to retreat law which is the doctrine that a victim of a deadly assault

must attempt to safely retreat before using deadly force in self-defense.

When you are traveling across country and from state to state it is almost

impossible to know what kind of self-defense law you will be subjected to

should some kind of incident occur.

If by your actions to defend yourself, or another person, you cause harm

or take a human life you will be held accountable for your actions in

accordance with the laws of the state or country where the incident took

place.

The following is an example of a law that pertains to self-defense.

Sample Self Defense Law:

A person is allowed to act in self-defense. If evidence of self-defense is

present, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the

defendant did not act in self-defense. In other words, if you have a

reasonable doubt whether or not the defendant acted in self-defense, your

verdict must be not guilty.

In the use of non-deadly force:

To prove that the defendant did not act in self-defense, the State must

prove one of the following things beyond a reasonable doubt:

35

First, that the defendant did not reasonably believe he (she) was being

attacked or immediately about to be attacked, and that his (her) safety

was in immediate danger; or

Second, that the defendant did not do everything reasonable in the

circumstances to avoid physical combat before resorting to force; or

Third, that the defendant used more force to defend himself (herself)

than was reasonably necessary in the circumstances.

In the use of deadly force:

If the defendant (used deadly force, which is force intended or likely to

cause death or great bodily harm) (or) (used a dangerous weapon in a

manner intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm), the

State must prove one of the following three things beyond a reasonable

doubt:

First, that the defendant did not reasonably and actually believe that

he (she) was in immediate danger of great bodily harm or death; or

Second, that the defendant did not do everything reasonable in the

circumstances to avoid physical combat before resorting to force; or

Third, that the defendant used more force to defend himself (herself)

than was reasonably necessary in the circumstances.

In conclusion, to obtain a conviction for the offense(s) of ____________,

the State must prove each element of the offense beyond a reasonable

doubt. If there is evidence of self-defense, the State also has the burden

to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act in

self-defense. If each element of the crime has been proved beyond a

reasonable doubt and it has also been proved beyond a reasonable

doubt that the defendant did not act in self-defense, you should return a

verdict of guilty.

If any element of the crime has not been proved beyond a reasonable

doubt, or the State did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the

defendant did not act in self-defense, you must find the defendant not

guilty.

36

Module Task:

Within your group class discuss self-defense incidents that have been

covered in your local news or by the national media. What were some

of the moral and legal issues that were part of these incidents?

Module Task:

Discuss the following concepts in your group:

Things that you should not do –

Carry a weapon on a regular basis.

Use lethal force.

Engage in fighting.

Continue to fight when it is not necessary.

Continue to fight when you could leave the area.

Assault, beat or kick a person who is down or unconscious.

Confront a person that appears to be dangerous.

Do not argue with people in public places that you do not know.

Fail to walk away from conflict when you can.

37

A Case of Mistaken Identity

During the course of this training program I will share with you my

personal experiences and encounters related to self-defense. I will also,

from time to time, share with you the stories of some of my students and

the graduates of my self-defense classes.

Hopefully, the tragic story of the woman who was raped in her home

touched your heart and you better understand the seriousness of self-

defense training. I know many of these stories because my past students

have trusted me enough to share their very personal and painful stories

with me. I have also, as I did just two weeks ago, looked at the bruises,

broken facial bones, cuts and lacerations of male and female victims of

violent physical assault. I have held their hands, put my arms around

their shoulders as they sobbed, and I have seen the deep pain in their eyes.

This story is about a case of mistaken identity and in it I share with you

the moment that I realized that I not only had a right to defend myself

against a physical assault but that I equally had a responsibility not to

38

become an assaulter. I share this story with you at the onset of this class

because while I want to empower you to be able to defend yourselves I do

not want you to go beyond the amount of force needed to defend yourself.

Several years ago, just after having moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, I

decided to visit my brother who was playing bass guitar in a rock band

in Fountain, Michigan. I took a nice leisurely ride up to Fountain on my

motorcycle. Upon arriving in Fountain at the old one room county

schoolhouse where the wedding was being held I pulled up on the lawn

that encircled the schoolhouse and got off of my bike.

As I was removing my helmet, and from my peripheral vision, I picked

up a sudden movement coming at the side of my head. I moved my head

slightly backward and I noticed that the large object that moved past my

nose was a fist. I quickly moved my hands up and made contact with the

assailant’s right arm and I moved in behind him. Although what I am

about to describe occurred in five seconds or less I was already picking

up the strong smell of a mixture of beer and sweat. I also noticed that the

assailant was a very large man whose arms were the size of my legs and

who had at least a 50 inch chest circumference. He was big and he was

strong.

Once I had moved behind the assailant, while not breaking contact with

his arm, I moved into a rear naked choke hold while at the same time

throwing my legs around his waist with my heels in his groin and I pulled

him down backwards onto the ground and on top of me.

This is one of the first kenpo techniques that I had been taught during the

“shoe store” classes in Benton Harbor, Michigan and it had just occurred

and been executed in real time and in a real fight. Had I fully executed

the technique that I was taught, I would have used the radial bone of my

right forearm to crush the assailant’s throat before we hit the ground.

I clearly remember my thoughts, “Who is this guy” and “Why is he

attacking me.” Unable, or more correctly unwilling, to crush his

windpipe that moment’s hesitation allowed my attacker to reach up and

grab my wrists and to pull my hands away from his throat. I escaped his

grasp by rotating my wrists into and against his thumb joints. My next

move against him was again exactly what I had been trained to do, I

moved my right forefinger into his right eye and prepared to push the

39

finger into his eye socket and to remove his right eye. This technique is

called a fishhook, or an eye hook. Once again, I heard my internal voice

urging restraint and once again I momentarily hesitated to execute the

technique which allowed my assailant to push my hand away from his eye.

As I continued to find a technique that I was willing to use on my assailant

I move to a nosed hook and my right forefinger entered his nose and

prepared to rip it open. Finally, a non-lethal technique that I was willing

to execute.

At this moment, my assailant went limp, and indicated an urgent

willingness to cease his aggression against me. My response was, “No way

buddy until you tell me why you attacked me.”

His explanation was quick and simple. Another guy on a motorcycle had

sped through the area and had kicked up some gravel which had hit his

girlfriend in the head. It was a case of mistaken identity. Once he

realized his mistake, which was partially fueled by too much beer, he

apologized and we both stood up, shook hands, and brushed the dust off

of our clothes. It was about at this point in the story, and after asking me

who I was, that he realized that my brother was one of his closest friends.

I doubt that he ever realized just how close he came too being injured, or

worse, that afternoon. God does indeed watch over his fools.

From that experience on I began to train myself to learn to so highly

develop my self-defense skills so as protect myself while the same time

attempting, as much as my skill would allow, to not harm another human

being.

Module Task:

In your group consider the following questions –

1. In terms of self-defense how much of a physical self-defense

response is too much?

2. Would you endure a single slap or punch without responding in

kind?

3. Would you have as much concern for your assailant’s safety as your

own?

40

4. Would you put yourself at risk attempting not to harm your

assailant?

5. How might this story, or my responses to the assailant, have been

different if the assailant was armed with a knife?

6. Do you agree with my philosophy and choice, in at least this

situation, to put myself at risk by not fully executing my most

maiming or lethal techniques?

7. Is my philosophy dangerous and does it put a student at risk of

injury or death?

8. Although, considering the motivating factors behind this surprise

attack it is unlikely, what if the person being attacked in this

scenario was a woman, or an elderly person? Would that person

be justified in using maiming or lethal force to defend themselves?

41

The Mailman

Sometimes we are called to the defense of another person that is in trouble.

Coming to the aid of another person that is being threatened, bullied, or

attacked can be a very dangerous proposition and many good Samaritans,

even law enforcement officers, have been injured or killed as a result of

their attempt to render assistance to another person.

I could share with you several scenarios where I either attempted to come

to the aid of another person or I witnessed someone else providing

assistance and attempting to protect someone who was being attacked.

One situation that I witnessed occurred in a movie theatre parking lot. I

witnessed 4 young men attempting to fight 1 young man. I came upon

the situation during the middle of the altercation so I did not know how

the fight had started or who the initiating assailant(s) was. I only knew

that the fight was 4 against 1 and as I evaluated the situation I was leaning

towards assisting the young man who was attempting to fight off 4

assailants. However, I had a young woman with me and I did not want

to leave her side or put her at risk so I held back for a few moments to see

what was going to happen. To my surprise the 1 young man was easily

able to fend off his 4 attackers and they withdrew from the fight and ran

away.

From observing this fight I learned that multiple attackers can be at a

disadvantage in a fight because they cannot think as 1 person, they think

and act separately and that can be used to their disadvantage. Initially

most multiple attackers will have a plan but that plan can quickly fall

apart in the face of trained resistance and then in the heat of conflict they

no longer have a plan and they simply become several people getting into

each other’s way.

Never face multiple attacker’s head on and when possible position

yourself so that the attackers are in each other’s way and have to step

around each other to get to you. Attacks happen in seconds and every

moment is a precious opportunity to engage an assailant(s) or to run away.

When you are faced with multiple attackers do not go to the ground

(ground fighting), stay on your feet, and watch your back or place

42

yourself against a car or a wall. Use whatever will defend your back from

attack.

The second scenario that I will share with you was different. I was out

on my mountain bike and riding up Fountain Street in Grand Rapids,

Michigan when I heard someone calling for help. The person calling for

help was an off duty mailman who was walking home with a bag of

groceries when he was accosted and threatened by 3 young men who were

attempting to rob him.

I knew this mailman because he was race walker and I frequently saw

him in the street race walking or on his front porch in our neighborhood.

I went over to him and the 3 young men who were attempting to rob him.

“Ignoring” the 3 young men I engaged the mailman in conversation and

I asked him if he would take my bike to his house and leave it on his porch

for me. He eagerly agreed and he immediately left with his groceries and

my mountain bike.

At this point I turned to face the 3 would be robbers. I kept the 3 young

men directly in front of me and began to assess the threat level (it was red)

and to consider the order and the method of my attack.

The most dangerous of the 3 assailants was the smallest of the three and

he was flanked by his two “enforcers”. The assailants directed the usual

“trash talk” at me but “sticks and stones…” so I ignored the trash talk

and focused on the task at hand. Then something happened to greatly

escalate the level of threat and danger, the “leader” began to reach inside

his coat. The only assumption that can be made from such an action is

that he is reaching for a weapon, most likely a gun (condition black).

Attacks to the throat are only used under the direst circumstances

because if too much force is delivered they can crush the trachea and may

result in death by suffocation. At that moment I was about to hit the

leader in his throat and step to my left to attack the assailant standing on

the leaders right. This move would have taken out the leader and would

have placed me in front of one of the enforcers, and would have placed

the other enforcer farther away from me with the fallen leader and the

other enforcer between me and him. That would have given me time to

43

either attack the enforcer, or to run away. But, something amazing

happened…

The enforcer on the leaders right (my left) reached over and placed his

hand over the leaders hand and said, “I know this guy, leave him alone.”

It was then that I realized that the two “enforcers” were two young men

that ten years earlier, and while they were kids, had been living on the

street and that I had taken them into my studio/dojo apartment on Lyon

Street and had spent many hours with them talking, eating pizza, and

watching movies together. Ten years later we were reunited under these

circumstances. This is why in my training programs on self-defense I

have added a spiritual component and prayers for protection, and that I

talk about the grace of God.

There are many martial artists and teachers of self-defense programs

that not only strongly disagree with me on this aspect of my beliefs,

philosophy, and training but think that teaching this approach will

endanger students.

Only you can decide whether this approach has merit and unfortunately

it is often only in the flash and heat of conflict that the truth is revealed.

Bahá'í Prayer for Protection

I have risen this morning by Thy grace, O my God, and left my home

trusting wholly in Thee, and committing myself to Thy care. Send down,

then, upon me, out of the heaven of Thy mercy, a blessing from Thy side,

and enable me to return home in safety even as Thou didst enable me to

set out under Thy protection with my thoughts fixed steadfastly upon

Thee.

There is none other God but Thee, the One, the Incomparable, the All-

Knowing, the All-Wise.

Module Task:

Within your group discuss your feelings and opinions regarding placing

trust in God and depending upon God’s grace and protection.

44

The Bus Stop Encounter

There are cases where a single punch to the face resulted in death or a

death resulted from a push that led to a fall and a fractured skull. This

is why as a martial artist I do not use jujitsu, judo, or aikido throws on a

sidewalk or in the street. Most people do not know how to fall, like a

martial artist is trained to fall or roll, and they might fall and get seriously

injured or die. In the example of the story of “A Case of Mistaken

Identity” I took control of the fall even to the point of bringing my

attacker down on top of me so that I minimized the risk of injury to the

attacker. Not everyone has the presence of mind or the skill to do this.

Also, it is difficult enough to bring down an aggressive attacker let alone

to bring his 260 pound body on top of you!

On a cold morning I walked to downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan to

catch the bus that would take me to my practice in Cutlerville. While I

was waiting for the bus two men, one well-muscled and young and one

older, began to walk towards me. I could tell by the way that they were

checking me over that something was up. As they got closer to me they

separated and one of them attempted to move behind me. In this kind of

threat sequence he will be the attacker and the one in front of me will be

the distractor.

The older man, smelling of alcohol, moved directly in front of me and

began to ask me if I had change for the bus and the young man attempted

to close the distance behind me. Their plan was to hit me as I pulled out

my wallet or change. However, I had been in this same situation on more

than one occasion on the streets of Chicago so I was prepared.

As the older man was moving towards me I pivoted slightly sideways and

into a position to watch both men with my peripheral vision. I relaxed

my body to increase my ability to move fast, and I brought my hands and

arms up into a position similar to holding your own arms or to scratch

your head.

At this point in our unfolding encounter the older man stopped moving

towards me and stated, “You are a fighter aren’t you.” To which I calmly

replied, “Why yes I am, how did you know that?” To which he replied,

“By the way you are standing.”

45

Do not underestimate an assailant, many of them are well skilled in their

craft as this man was.

He and I then began a cautious but friendly discussion about fighting and

specifically boxing which he had trained in. While the two of us were

getting to know each other the younger man was showing signs of

confusion and impatience. He did not understand why the older man and

I were talking like old friends. Fortunately for all involved he did not

attempt to attack me from behind. He just wandered on down the

sidewalk.

The older man and I had a pleasant and respectful conversation during

which he shared that his problems with alcohol had derailed his hopes of

being a professional boxer and I encouraged him to get back into to

training simply for his own wellbeing. As my bus arrived I wished him

well and headed off to work.

This encounter is an example of using situational awareness and

communication skills to neutralize a potential threat. Sometimes showing

people on the street respect is enough to avoid a potentially violent

situation.

Module Task:

In your group discuss this encounter. Have you experienced similar

situations in your life?

46

The Muggers

I attended the Second Bahá'í World Congress held in New York City at

the Jacob Javet’s Convention Center with 30,000 other Bahá'ís. As part

of the security precautions at the World Congress the Bahá'ís were asked

and warned not to walk from the Jacob Javet’s Center, which was located

in an semi industrial area on the waterfront, and their hotels several

blocks away in Manhattan. Buses had been provided to ferry the

conference participants safely back and forth.

I was standing in line about to board a bus when I noticed that a young

Bahá'í woman was walking around the front of the bus and was heading

into the industrial area by herself. I momentarily considered a nice

comfortable ride back to the hotel or the responsibility of accompanying

this woman back to her hotel. Reluctantly, I opted to catch up with her

and walk her back to her hotel.

An announcement had been made that morning at the conference that a

group of 4 Bahá'ís who were walking to their hotel had been mugged in

the same area and another young woman had been raped in a separate

incident. This was not an empty threat.

As I caught up to the young woman I introduced myself and asked her if

she could guide me back to the street that my hotel was on. She readily

agreed. As we walked on and she chatted away on a number of topics I

guided her towards the middle of the empty street and away for the

doorways and alleyways. She was in a condition white and totally

oblivious to her environment.

After we had traveled together for two blocks two men began to step out

of a darkened doorway and were staring intently at us. As the previously

mentioned mugging incident had indicated I had no expectation of safety

in numbers. Not that a man and a woman are a serious threat to two

potentially armed muggers. (Always assume the worse but hope for the

best) My companion had not and never did notice these two men. The

two men and I locked eyes with each other and they stepped closer to the

street with the intention of incepting us. I put out my hand and shook my

head no at them. They appeared surprised and they looked at each other

briefly and conferred with each other,

47

As I was walking I kept facing the men and I did not break direct eye

contact with them. As we came up on them I continued to face them by

walking sideways, my companion still did not notice anything wrong. As

we passed the men, the moment shifted, and they stepped backward into

the shadows and as we moved on by them I turned towards them and

walked backwards until we had passed many yards from them. My

companion never noticed a thing and she never stopped talking.

Modular Task:

In your group discuss what you might have done in a similar situation?

1. What self-defense principles were violated here?

2. How could this situation have been avoided?

3. What condition code was this situation?

48

The would be Muggers

I had planned a backpacking trip into the Minnesota and Canadian

Boundary Water area for my spring break vacation from college classes

in Chicago, Illinois. I was in downtown Chicago waiting for a bus and I

was walking around the area south of the Greyhound bus station. While

I was walking down the street I suddenly felt the hairs on the back of my

head stand up and I realized that I was in some kind of danger from

behind me.

I pivoted very quickly to see what the problem might be (if there was one)

and I noticed two men rushing at me from out of an alleyway. Without

any thought I began running directly at them and they came to a

surprised stop, turned and ran back into the alleyway.

I immediately crossed to the opposite side of the street and returned to a

more populated area and the bus station.

Module Task:

What condition code(s) was involved in this scenario?

49

The Mob

Sometimes you simply find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time

and this is what happened to me on a hot and humid night in

Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

I was living in a shabby and rundown apartment complex that was

liberally populated by soldiers who were stationed at nearby Fort Knox.

They were a heavy drinking all night party loving crowd and I had had

run-ins with several of them over their raucous dust to dawn all night

parties.

On this particularly hot night yet another party was in full swing. I was

returning home from my second shift assignment and I was tired and

cranky. As I parked my prized white Cadillac convertible and locked its

doors I heard a shout, “There he is! Let’s get him!”

Apparently, some of the partiers were individuals with which whom I had

lodged complaints over their frequent drunken parties and long nights of

loud music, and now they were out to get me.

It is an unusual situation to find oneself in when an entire mob boils out

of an apartment and rushes at you screaming, yelling, and laughing with

the intent to do you bodily harm.

I really did not have any opportunity to prepare other than to stand my

ground and face the first of the onrushing attackers. I recognized my

first attacker as the renter of the apartment and mostly likely the host of

the party. What happened next I have never forgotten.

As the first member of the mob reached me I punched him in the stomach

so hard that my fist made contact with his spine. I will never forget that

feeling as my knuckles connected with his lumbar vertebra. Until it

happened I would not have thought it possible! He was not a small man

and he was not in bad physical condition.

This one punch knocked the first attacker to the ground and he appeared

to be unconscious. The second attacker rushed at me and I grabbed him

and threw him through the wooden fence behind me. The third attacker

50

approached me, but hesitated for a moment after seeing what had happed

to his friends, and then everything changed.

A car load of soldiers returning from a night of bar hopping pulled up by

me and seeing one person (me) facing multiple attackers they piled out of

their car and began to beat the living daylights out of the remaining

attackers.

At this point I quietly slipped away, went to my apartment and got in bed.

The next morning I learned that soon after I left the riot the police had

arrived and had made multiple arrests. After finding several notes with

death threats nailed to my apartment door I moved out of the apartment

complex and into a house on a nice quiet residential street.

51

Home Invasion

When I was 10 years old I experienced my first encounter with a home

invasion. As I reflect over the years and through my adulthood I have

experienced 4 separate home invasions or robberies. I was at home

during 2 of them.

The most recent FBI statistics regarding home invasion and robbery

reveal:

Every 20 seconds a home is invaded! (Burglarized or robbed)

4457 Homes are robbed or burglarized every day.

The arrest rate is only 18%, and that’s just arrests, not

convictions.

59.7% of all burglaries involved forced entry.

There is a forced entry burglary every 28 seconds.

97% of all home intrusions happen when no one is at home.

I was born in Chicago, Illinois and lived in Harvey, Illinois until I was 9

years old at which time we moved to an isolated and run down 260 acre

farm in lower eastern Wisconsin just a few miles outside of Burlington,

Wisconsin.

My father had a job in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and on occasion he could

not return home at night and so my mother, 2 brothers and I would be

left alone on the farm.

Late one evening our family dog, which was tied up to a post on the front

porch, began to bark loudly and was showing signs of agitation. My

mother had been on the phone talking with my father when the dog began

to bark and then the telephone went dead. That phone was our only way

to call out for help. We had no way of leaving the farm because my father

had the car in Milwaukee.

I had been given my first rifle, a BB gun, when I was 5 years old and my

father and uncles had taught me how to shoot both a .22 and a 16 gauge

shotgun not long after that. Sunday afternoons, after church, was

frequently the time when we shot tin cans off of the wooden fencing

around an old apple orchard that was on our property.

52

Moments after the dog began to bark, and the telephone went dead, my

mother came up to my 2nd story bedroom and handed me the loaded .22

rifle and a box of ammunition, and instructed me to remain at the open

bedroom window with the gun and to “shoot anything that moves out

there.”

I spent the entire night on alert with the loaded .22 pointed out of the

window while my mother remained downstairs with the loaded 16 gauge

shotgun. At one point I saw movement by a large tree that stood by the

driveway in front of the house and I opened fire with several shots at and

around the tree. The rest of the night was quiet and uneventful.

When the morning came I went downstairs where my mother was sitting

in a rocking chair with the 16 gauge positioned across her lap and at her

feet was our dog, sound asleep.

I woke up the dog and let him out of the house and he went straight to the

tree where I had seen movement and had opened fire. As he smelled the

area behind the tree I noticed a set of large footprints in the dirt. Then I

walked around the house and discovered that the telephone line going

into the house had been cut with a knife or other sharp object.

Module Task:

In your group discuss your opinion or concerns regarding a home

invasion and what preparations, if any, you have made to protect your

home and your family.

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Domestic Abuse and Assault

Unfortunately, I have been no stranger to domestic abuse and assault.

Having lived with domestic abuse and assault for more than 2 decades of

my earlier life, having studied the subject in college psychology and

sociology courses, as a writer on this subject, having worked as a youth

probation officer and drug rehabilitation counselor, and having worked

with victims of domestic abuse and assault for at least 35 years, I know a

bit about the problem.

A 2014 Huffington Post article reported:

“The number of American troops killed in Afghanistan and Iraq between

2001 and 2012 was 6,488. The number of American women who were

murdered by current or ex male partners during that time was 11,766.

That's nearly double the amount of casualties lost during war.

Women are much more likely to be victims of intimate partner violence

with 85 percent of domestic abuse victims being women and 15 percent

men. Too many women have been held captive by domestic violence --

whether through physical abuse, financial abuse, emotional abuse or a

combination of all three.”

Domestic abuse is the psychological aspect of the problem where mental

and emotional pressure, manipulation, control, and cruelty are used

against a person. Domestic assault is the violent phase where the abuse

becomes physical. In the US 3 women per day are murdered as a result

of a domestic assault.

Too often children are witnesses or are themselves victims of domestic

abuse and assault. CNN reports that “…more than 3 million children

have witnessed it in their homes every year, according to estimates. What

those children see and hear can have a profound impact on their lives,

experts around the country who deal with domestic violence tell CNN.”

Here is what the numbers look like in the US regarding child abuse,

assault, and neglect:

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Every year more than 3 million reports of child abuse are made

in the United States involving more than 6 million children (a

report can include multiple children).

The United States has one of the worst records among

industrialized nations – losing (To a death) on average between

four and seven children every day to child abuse and neglect.

Yearly, referrals to state child protective services involve 6.3

million children, and around 3 million of those children are

subject to an investigated report.

Statistic Sources:

1. CDC, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study

2. Child Maltreatment, 2012

3. Kids Count

Studies conducted on adults reveals the following statistics:

But of course this problem is not just about the appalling numbers and

statistics it is about the emotional toll that this problem takes on human

lives.

Module Task:

In your group discuss the mental and physical costs of domestic abuse

and assault.

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I Thought It Was About Self Defense!

The following article was written by request of the director of the United

States Martial Arts Association and was published on the official website

of the USMA where it remained for several years.

I was curious regarding the rules used by the mixed martial arts sports

organizations such as the UFC, IFL, WCL, and the WEC. Although some

of the rules vary from organization to organization, depending upon their

bias towards striking or grappling, often it is the state athletic

commissions that really determine the rules of engagement. After all

these “reality” based fighters are the new supermen and are reputed to

be the “baddest” thing in the fight game.

This is what the Nevada State Athletic Commission currently lists as fouls:

Butting with the head.

Eye gouging of any kind.

Biting.

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Hair pulling.

Fish hooking.

Groin attacks of any kind.

Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on

an opponent. (Gouging)

Small joint manipulation.

Striking to the spine or the back of the head. (Rabbit punch)

Striking downward using the point of the elbow. (Elbow (strike))

Throat strikes of any kind, including, without limitation,

grabbing the trachea.

Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh.

Grabbing the clavicle.

Kicking the head of a grounded opponent.

Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.

Stomping a grounded opponent.

Kicking to the kidney with the heel.

Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck. (Pile

driver)

Throwing an opponent out of the ring or fenced area.

Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent.

Spitting at an opponent.

As I read over these “fouls”, I found a list of my favorite fighting

techniques! In Kosho Ryu Kenpo Jujitsu we simply call the above list of

perfectly acceptable techniques - “self-defense”.

In addition to eliminating most of my favorite techniques from

competition the “spoilers” also do not allow:

1. Engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to

an opponent.

2. Holding the ropes or the fence.

3. Using abusive language in the ring or fenced area.

4. Attacking an opponent on or during the break.

5. Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee.

6. Attacking an opponent after the bell (horn) has sounded the end

of a round.

7. Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee.

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8. Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an

opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece

or faking an injury.

9. Interference by the corner.

10. Throwing in the towel during competition.

11. Using a Foreign object in the ring to your advantage.

Let’s take the above so called “fouls” by the numbers, for example

number one, I thought that the point was to cause injury to an opponent

by any means possible? How about “holding the ropes or the fence”, I

was taught to use the environment around me including parking meters,

the bumpers of cars, or the corner of a brick building to punctuate my

fights. Abusive language – all I can say is “sticks and stones”. “Attacking

an opponent on or during the break?” Give me a break! If the “opponent

can’t defend him/herself at all times they should go home and watch

fights on TV “Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the

referee”, heck if the referee is helping the jerk take the referee out too! If

you can get an extra punch or kick in at the bell more power to you, in

fact why is there a bell at all, there “ain’t” no bell in the street. If there is

a bell grab it and hit your opponent in the head with it! How about

disobeying the referee? Shame on you! (I am going to tell your father

when he gets home.) Timidity, avoiding contact, faking an injury?

Haven’t they ever heard of outright trickery, fighting tactics or monkey

style kung fu? But let’s look at “avoiding injury” again. That was the

reason that I began studying the martial arts to begin with, to avoid being

hit! I have no desire to stumble around in my old age punchy from too

many head shots. The only rule that I agree with is number nine. Don’t

even think about interfering with my fight, I am perfectly capable of

handling it myself. On second thought - if I do get in trouble then by all

means pile on and have at it. Rules ten and eleven to me are the same

thing. Use a towel, a “Foreign” object or anything that you can get your

hands on to protect yourself. After all it is called self-defense!

I am sorry about my questionable attitude and maybe I have missed the

entire point to the billion dollar “reality” fighting game but I was taught

to end the fight, end it fast, and go home and eat ice cream and sweet

chocolate candies.

My father, an amateur boxer, was my first martial arts instructor. He

taught me to box and he taught me a fierce independent determination.

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While his teaching “style” was tough he also taught me by moral example

and I particularly remember one lesson that I learned from him

regarding the “no rules” approach to self-defense in the street.

My father was at one time a floor manager for the now defunct company

Montgomery Ward and he managed the appliance department in a

Ward’s store in Dubuque, Iowa. One of his employees was a young star

Loyola college basketball player with a history of mental imbalance and

institutionalization. In other words this guy was a six foot nine two

hundred and seventy pound athlete who was mentally unstable when he

did not take his medication.

On the particular day in question this “raging bull” went totally berserk

over how to move a refrigerator and picked up the refrigerator and threw

it into a warehouse wall and then proceeded in the direction of my father

with a maniacal look on his face. My father stood his ground and as the

guy came into range calmly knocked him to the floor unconscious with a

really vicious blow to the head, aided by the two-by-four he was holding

in both hands. I still remember the sickening sound of the two-by-four

connecting with the guy’s head.

So all you corporate/celebrity acronyms… fouls? They are just self-

defense techniques to me.

Like most martial arts instructors I have taught students who have been

the victims of severe incidents of violent assault or abuse self-defense.

While the reader may think that my methods are extreme and that this

approach is too violent I am reminded of the young woman that I trained

who was raped in her home by two men, at knife point, and in front of

her eleven year old daughter and husband. I believe that she would

disagree with you.

Remember, there are no rules or referees on the street.

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Module Task:

After reading the article above answer the following questions:

1. Are mixed martial arts competitions “reality” fighting as they

claim to be or an organized sport?

2. Is there a relationship between the media glorification of

fighting and violence and violent crimes in our neighborhoods

and on the streets?

3. Is there a difference between training in a traditional martial

art and training in self-defense? If so, why is there a difference

and what are the differences?

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Section Two

Practical Self-Defense Skills

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Our Mission

Our mission through the martial arts is to uplift

and to empower humanity towards peace.

Our Creed

"Honor the Source of all knowledge

and serve the common good."

Our Philosophy

A body without spirit is a living corpse.

Just as the body needs a soul,

our training needs heart and spirit.

Without pure values, high ethics, and a code

of conduct we are without true worth.

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Velocity Martial Arts (VMA)

VMA is built upon the combat theories and techniques of the

traditional martial arts, as well as, the scientific principles of

Kenpo jujitsu/karate as were developed by Grandmaster James

Mitose, Professor Kwai Sun Chow, and Grandmaster Edmund

Parker. VMA takes these traditional approaches to combat and

applies the modern training and fighting techniques found in

military and police combat and tactical training, boxing,

wrestling and other reality based fighting systems.

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Combat Martial Art Training Manual

for Civil Protection

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About Velocity Martial Arts

If all attempts to avoid conflict or violence have failed, and getting away

(flight) from the assailant has proven to be impossible, then it is time to

fight. Just because it is time to fight this does not relieve you of your

moral and legal obligations to use as little force as is needed to stop the

attack and the attacker.

While Velocity Martial Arts (VMA) training is based upon the historical

traditions of Kosho Ryu Kenpo Jujitsu VMA has adopted the modern

technical aspects of tactical and combat martial arts and self-defense.

The focus and intent of VMA is to engage and neutralize the opponent or

attacker in one second or less.

Central Concepts of VMA

1. Spontaneous Continual Motion.

2. Speed and Relaxation become Effortless Power.

3. Strike to Grapple and Grapple to Strike.

4. Four Dimensional Attacks –

Attack both upper and lower body at the same time.

Combine striking and grappling in attack sequences.

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As the martial arts evolve and grow it is necessary to adjust our fighting

techniques to meet the challenges presented by new techniques, methods

and fighters.

VMA philosophy and techniques are suited to the needs of both

beginners and experts. Everyone can gain from VMA training.

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BASIC PRINCIPLES OF VMA COMBAT

The following brief outline describes a few of the basic principles and

tactics of Velocity Martial Arts or VMA. These techniques are not meant

to be learned through the written descriptions that follow. Instead this

self-defense class is designed to teach these hands on combat skills in

classes that involve physical one on one training.

Please keep in mind that these techniques are taught and are tailored to

the level of the student. This means that the techniques are taught

according to the beliefs, faith, age, physical condition, and mental

aptitude of each student. No student has to participate in any training or

technique with which they are uncomfortable.

Everything taught in this program up to this point has trained you to

weigh and to measure your attack. If you find yourself being attacked,

or in a life and death scenario, you have to have the mental clarity and

the spiritual strength to make life and death, moment to moment

decisions.

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Some self-defense instructors claim that this level of cognitive function is

not possible under circumstances of high stress, duress and fear. I

disagree and I believe that this level of functioning can be learned.

Here are some VMA principles and tactics:

1. The intention of the joint attack in VMA is not to control - but to

break.

2. We grapple to strike and strike to grapple.

3. We are never static, we move and change tactics constantly.

4. Remember SAC - Our tactics are Stable, Accurate, and Cruel = SAC

5. When faced with multiple attackers do not grapple -

a. Take control of the fight and move fast.

b. Take the fight to them, make them react – do not allow them to

plan or initiate.

c. Make every technique count – execute clean and strong techniques

d. Attempt to keep the opponents in a line (one behind the other) so

that you can deal with them one at a time.

6. When the situation is real and presents a threat to life each technique

must be a decisive action that at the very least maims or

incapacitates the assailant.

7. If you think that it is “gonna happen”, make it happen. Initiate the

attack.

Against kickers -

1. We rush and jam them up

2. We trap their kicks

3. We take them down

4. We break their knee joint

Dog tactics (Crushing Chokes) –

1. Shake and bake – violent shaking of the head and neck while the

opponent is in a neck lock or choke.

2. Whip and rip – swing the body in one direction while holding and

locking the neck and moving it in the opposite direction.

3. Crush and rush

a. Side head lock and run.

b. Front rush to throat and run (push) the opponent backwards.

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BASIC COMBAT MARTIAL ART

SKILL SET CHECK LIST

Critical Rules

Act, do not React

If You Can Strike and Stay On Your Feet, Do That

Strike to Grapple and Grapple to Strike

Move Continuously, and Never Clinch

Whenever Possible, Attack the Back

Overcome Force with Power

Never Backup, Circle

Fight From the Edges, Never Straight On

Don’t Waste Energy on Half Measures, Be Decisive

In VMA There Are No Rules

In Michigan You Have the Right to Pre-emptive Lethal Force

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Technique Checklist:

Stances –

o Standard

o Horse (Ma Bo)

o Cat

o Crouch

Defense –

o Blocks (cross, upward, downward, inward, and outward)

o Parry

o Deflect

o Slip

o Covering

o Movement

o Faking

Breakfalls –

o Forward roll

o Back-fall

o Side-fall(s)

o Forward fall

Punches –

o Jab

o Cross

o Hook

o Upper Cut

o Overhand

o Traveling Punches

o Backfist

o Hammerfist

o Clothesline (not a punch but effective)

Hand strikes –

o Finger gouge(s)

o Fishhooks

o Claw

o Dragon’s mouth

o Grab

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o Chop

o Ridge-hand

o Palm

o Slaps

Elbow strikes –

o Horizontal

o Vertical

o Rising

o Downward

o Oblique

Knee strikes –

o Rising

o Dropping

o Oblique

Head butts –

With the side of head not the front.

Shoulder strikes –

o Shoulder stroke

Kicks –

o Roundhouse

o Side

o Hook

o Front

o Snap

o Cut

o Thrust

o Rear kick

o Foot/heel stomp

Striking Combinations –

All of the above strikes can be worked into combinations and combined

with takedowns and joint locks and breaks.

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Takedowns -

o Single leg

o Double leg

o Lifting

o Lift and twist

o Spin around

o Head control

o Straight back rush

o Twist and drop

o Leg trap to takedown

o Leg sweeps

o Arm/shoulder control to takedown

o Body-lock/throw

o Hip throw

o Foot step throw

Counters to takedowns –

o Elbow block

o Push off

o Sprawl

o Evade/jump

o Spin

o Knee or kick

o Anvil

o Head/face push or thrust

Escapes – (Counter to grab)

o Turn against thumb

o Push to face

Joint Locks/Breaks –

Do not grapple, break and/or hook.

o Finger

o Wrist

o Elbow

o Shoulder

o Knee

o Ankle

o Jaw

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o Neck

o Spine

o Arm bar

o Key lock

o Kimura

o Triangle

o Omaplata

o Americana

Chokes –

o Rear naked

o Guillotine

o Side

o Radial Crush

o Shaking

Ground – (We do not want to be here)

o Cover up (Turtle)

o Kick from ground

o Guard

Top

Bottom

Half guard

o Mount

Side mount

o Bridge

o Leg sweeps

o Knee strikes/sweeps

(add all punches/strikes/kicks/locks/breaks/chokes to ground

fighting)

Specialized techniques –

o Nerve

o Gland

o Air

o Blood

o Gouge/poke

o Grind

o Crush

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WALKING THE BODY CLOSE QUARTER

FIGHTING SEQUENCE

Walking the Body is a training sequence that teaches you basic strikes

and the feeling of actual close quarter fighting.

Sequence:

1 – Elbow strike to forearm

2 – Upward Elbow strike to elbow

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3 – Elbow strike to axillary

4 – Finger-flick to face/eyes

5 – Palm strike (or grab) to groin

6 – Elbow strike to axillary area (armpit)

7 – Elbow strike to kidney/ribs

8 – Palm strike to occipital ridge

9 – Elbow strike to elbow

10 – Elbow strike to axillary area (armpit)

11 – Elbow strike to solar plexus

12 – Groin strike (grab)

13 – Back fist (finger-flick) to face

14 – Double palm strike to chest

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10 DEADLY BLOWS TO THE HEAD

The 10 “deadly” blows to the head are a training sequence that is

designed to teach you how to inflict attacks to the head, face, and neck

areas of the human body. These are highly effective self-defense

techniques.

Head, Face and Neck Attack Sequence:

Attacks 1 through 5 -

Thumb to the eye (Right and Left)

Zen finger to the eye (Right and Left)

Dragons mouth to the throat

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Attacks 6 through 10 -

4 – Upward palm strike to Right TMJ

5 – Upward palm strike to Left TMJ

6 – Knife edge to Right SCM

8 - Knife edge to Left SCM

9 – Palm strike to nose or chin

Variation:

Add eye, nose, and mouth soft tissue hooks to the sequence.

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NINE DEADLY KICKS TO THE BODY

Everyone has seen the high spinning kicks used in Hollywood movies,

they are not only useless in the street they put the kicker at great risk.

Hollywood is not reality. When using kicks for self-defense keep your

kicks below the waist, at groin level or to the thigh, knee, and leg areas.

Instructions:

(Keep all leg attacks below the groin, except for the knee strikes. This

will be explained further during actual physical training)

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Right leg -

1. Snap kick to groin

2. Knife edge side kick to inside of knee

Left leg –

3. Snap kick to front of knee

4. Scoop kick sweep to outside of knee, lower leg, or ankle

Right leg –

5. Right knee to groin, abdomen or head

Left leg -

6. Left knee to groin, abdomen or head

Right leg –

7. Cut kick to leg

Left leg –

8. Cut kick to leg

Right leg –

9. Front thrust kick to knee or thigh (push off)

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KENPO FILIPINO ESCRIMA

AND KALI TRAINING SETS (DRILLS)

Sticks and wooden implements are very dangerous weapons and are

commonly used because they are readily available. Literally all an

assailant needs is a tree limb. The brother of a close friend of mine was

killed by his neighbor when the neighbor walked up behind the victim

while he was starting his lawnmower and hit him in the head with a

baseball bat.

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12 Point Drill Sequence

Beginning:

This drill begins with the right side forward and end with the left side

forward. Once the left side is forward and technique #12 has been

completed start the drill again with the left side forward, and so on.

Single Stick Drill Set –

1. Right head strike

2. Left head strike

3. Right elbow strike

4. Left elbow Strike

5. Straight thrust to throat

6. Overhand thrust to supra-clavicular fossa, right

7. Overhand thrust to supra-clavicular fossa, left

8. Looping strike to head

9. Right shoulder strike

10. Left shoulder strike

11. Step through downward strike to head

12. Upward thrust to throat

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KENPO KNIFE FORM A knife is a very dangerous weapon. Arguably a knife is at least as

dangerous as a gun and in some scenarios, because they are easily

concealed and silent, more dangerous. Using a knife for self-defense is a

bad idea because they are so lethal. In a high stress fear based self-

defense scenario controlling a knife and not severing a major artery is

almost impossible. Especially considering that training with a knife

involves learning to attack the major arteries of the body such as you will

see in the following kenpo knife form. In some self-defense scenarios you

have to assume that the assailant has a knife such as in low light

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conditions where you cannot see if the assailant has a knife or not.

However, persons that are professionally trained in the use of a knife have

been trained to conceal the knife and to use it in a very deceptive manner.

Often an assailant will conceal a knife and show the victim a gun.

1. Two Tigers Retreat to be Ready – (Horizontal Slash)

a. Check and control the wrist

b. Throat slash and reverse neck cut

c. Hilt strike to face

2. Monkey Elbow – (Descending Cut)

Reverse stab to abdomen, drop and cut

3. Golden Dragons Plays in Water – (Vertical Slash)

a. Check parry opponents right hand and reverse slash right

wrist/forearm

b. Check parry opponents left hand and reverse slash left

wrist/forearm

c. Reverse stab to neck (Ice Pick)

4. Two Dragons Receive Pearls -

a. Block and trap opponents kick (right leg)

b. Execute figure 8 slash from the right groin to the left groin and

back to the right groin

c. Straight abdominal stab

5. Falling branches – (Right and Left Under Arm Cut)

a. Check parry right punch and slash under the arm

b. Check parry left punch and slash under the arm

c. Slash to left side of neck

6. Embracing Death –

a. Step to rear of opponent from the left side.

b. Grab head or hair and slash the right side of the neck from the

rear

7. Impending Doom – (Kidney Attack)

a. Straight stab to the kidney, stab and twist

8. Push

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9. Drawing the Bow (Fighting Horse Stance)

a. Left Parry

b. Draw the Bow

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DOUBLE AND SINGLE LEG TAKEDOWN COUNTERS

Assailants with a wrestling background will attempt to take you to the

ground. Also assailants often attempt to take a woman to the ground for

the purpose of rape or strangulation. There are many effective counters

to being taken to the ground. Do not go to the ground if there are multiple

attackers. Remember, you may not know that the attacker has friends

standing around in a crowd who are waiting to attack you.

Techniques:

1. Control the distance – Evade

a. Circle away to the opponent’s non-dominant side if possible

b. Back away and stay low

2. Jump back and upward

a. Used against low takedown attempts

b. Kick opponent if possible

3. Push off head, grab their hair or shoulders and side step to kick or

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knee them

a. Pivot off of upper body into kick or knee

4. Strikes

a. Knee to head

b. Kick to head

5. Block

a. Extend arm and push on head

b. Place elbow in crook of neck, elbow jam

c. Head shove with both hands

6. Elbow hook to head and neck to choke

7. Sprawl

a. Push away

b. Choke

8. Take the opponents momentum and roll back into choke

Kenpo Covers –

1. Never stay on the ground.

2. If taken down get up and kick.

3. If you can’t get up punch, kick, break, or hook from the

ground.

4. If pushed down roll, turn and kick.

5. After every kenpo technique (see next section), cover and

attack (usually a low kick).

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KENPO TECHNIQUES

There are dozens of kenpo techniques and combinations of attacks, and

variations of the kenpo techniques. Joint breaking techniques are

common to kenpo, which in its original form was a brutal form of jujitsu.

An actual dislocation is classified as a joint break and involves

sprain/strain to a joint causing pain and joint damage that is less than a

full bone break. In kung fu this is called “Breaking against the joint” and

this technique basically destroys the soft tissue structures that hold the

joint together.

Dog tactics (Crushing Chokes) –

1. Shake and bake – violent shaking of the head and neck while the

opponent is in a neck lock or choke.

2. Whip and rip – swing the body in one direction while holding and

locking the neck and moving it in another direction.

3. Crush and rush

a. side head lock and run

b. front rush to throat and run the opponent backward

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Cross of Death – Counter to front grab.

1. Check hand.

2. Side elbow break, or break against the joint.

3. Clear.

4. a. Cut kick.

b. Take-down.

Broken Gift – Counter to single hand grab.

1. Grab hand.

2. Elbow break, or break against the joint.

3. Clear and control.

4. Head strike (palm).

5. Take-down.

Heavenly Ascent – Counter to front grab/choke.

1. Anvil.

2. Head grab.

3. Leaping knee.

4. Guillotine.

Crashing Wings – Counter to grappling attempt at a rear naked choke

or bear hug. (High or low rear grappling attack)

A. Rear Naked Choke Counter

Steps by the numbers

a. Raise hands parry and turn into opponent.

b. High Pat on Horse

Options:

1. Takedown

2. Striking combinations

B. Bear Hug or low grab Counter

Steps by the numbers

1. Drop low use elbows and hands to stop attempt at grip.

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2. Oblique Elbow to throat or face.

3. Step around and sweep to takedown.

Options:

1. Takedown

2. Striking combinations

Grasp of Death – (Combat Form) Counter to the side head lock.

1. Tuck chin and turn head into opponent.

2. Attack groin or Alarm Point.

3. Counter the opponent’s wrist and break the elbow.

4. Knee to the face.

5. Kick to the head.

Kimono Grab - Counter to front grab.

1. Grab the opponents’ wrist, twist and/or pin the arm(s).

2. Break the elbow(s).

3. Elbow to head.

4. Backfist or finger flick to face.

5. Rear kick to groin.

6. Step away and cover.

Eagles Beak – Counter to shoulder grab or push.

1. Pin the opponent’s hand.

2. Break the elbow.

3. Palm strike to head.

4. Break the knee.

Variation:

1. Pin the opponent’s hand.

2. Execute elbow lock control to take-down

3. Snap kick to head and face.

Dancer – Counter to attempted bear hug.

1. Bend forward.

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2. Step between the opponents legs or cat around the opponent’s leg.

3. Execute groin attack.

4. Palm attack to face to take-down.

5. Foot stomp.

Dancing Ram – Frontal attack.

1. Elbow to neck.

2. Kenpo guillotine with throat crush.

3. Shoulder lock to dislocation.

4. Throw/drop and kick.

Jumping Monkey – Counter to the Dancing Ram.

Forward hip thrust to flying scissors to twisting sacrifice throw.

Cyclone – Counter to a frontal attack.

1. Defect the punch or high frontal attack.

2. Palm strike to the opponents face.

3. Move to rear and execute the near naked choke to a throat crush.

4. Drop opponent.

5. Thrust kick to back of the opponents head or spine.

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DEFINITIONS OF KENPO – A KILLING ART

Kenpo black belts are required to complete scholarly research into the

historical, philosophical, and scientific aspects of kenpo and the martial

arts. The following article was written by the author of this training

manual as a requirement for higher level promotion within the Kosho

Ryu Kenpo system by the United States Martial Arts Association and was

published on the USMA website.

DEFINITIONS OF KENPO – A KILLING ART

“Never enter into kumite without the intention to kill, and the willing

acceptance of your death. But do neither, do not kill and do not die. But if

by circumstance you arefaced with the choice of killing or dying, know

this, it is better to die not having taken a life than to die a murderer.”

Introduction

To understand kenpo, its definition and history, I recommend studying

the work of kenpo Grandmaster Al Tracy and the original textbook by

James M. Mitose entitled, What is Self Defense? In Al Tracy’s work on

the history of kenpo, he cites information gleaned from The Textbook of

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Ju-jutsu as Practiced in Japan by S.K. Uyenishi and on his website, he

publishes the original kenpo book (What is Self Defense? by James M.

Mitose). The significance of these books in relation to the history and

development of kenpo are explained by the kenpo historian Al Tracy. If

not for Al Tracy, students of kenpo would simply not have access to much

of the rich and highly informative history that has been preserved.

In some circles, a debate exists as to which spelling (kenpo or kempo) is

correct, and whether it is primarily a Chinese or a Japanese martial art.

In truth, kenpo/kempo is both Chinese and Japanese and in this article,

both spellings may be used interchangeably.

As both a student and teacher of kenpo, I do not view kenpo as a style of

martial art but rather as a group of techniques collectively and

historically referred to as “fist law.”

Definitions of Kenpo – A Killing Art

Many articles on kenpo begin with definitions and explanations of the

origin of the words (kenpo and kempo); however, in this article, the

intention is to examine a more global definition of kenpo as a combat

martial art originally resulting from techniques applied to the traditional

battlefield. Later, these were refined into a killing and maiming combat

art long before its modern transformation into a self-defense martial art.

S.K. Uyenishi, author of The Textbook of Ju-Jutsu as Practiced in Japan,

wrote his book during the early-1900’s and in it offers some brief insights

into the historical representation of kenpo. Uyenishi was a well-

established senior jujitsu master and teacher and his teaching positions

included: Riku-gun yo-nan gako (The Military College for Officers),Tai-

iku-kai (The Imperial Military College of Physical Training), Shi-han-

gako (The School of Instructors), Jun sa kio-shun sho (The Police

Training School), and all government schools in Osaka, Japan. Uyenishi

was a pioneer of jujitsu in the UK, and in his book, he demonstrates

various techniques such as break-falls, throws, and locks. His father,

Kichibe Uyenishi, was also a great jujitsu master and teacher who lived

and practiced martial arts during the 1800’s in Japan. At the time, Japan

was in turbulence and in 1867, the Tokugawa Shogunate was officially

ended, after nearly 700 years of Shogun rule.

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For kenpo practitioners, the main interest in Uyenishi’s textbook is in his

references to kenpo. In his research, Al Tracy provides the following

quoted content from Uyenishi’s textbook.

One of the styles alluded to, known as the Kempo, which may be

roughly described as a method of killing people, possessed many

points of resemblance to Ju-jutsu but was totally different in

practice, being a system of self-defence against sudden attack

with intent to kill and replying thereto in kind. It was certainly

more closely related to ju-jutsu than is boxing (even under the

old Prize Ring rules) or le savate to wrestling. It might perhaps

be best compared to that very strenuous old Greek Physical

Contest, which was known as the Pancration. By-the-way, I may

here remark on the possible derivation of the old English phrase

"Kempery man" and the Anglo-Saxon cempa, signifying "a

warrior," from the Japanese Kempo. This is a point which

should not be without interest to etymologists, and particularly

to those who follow the late Professor Max Muller in his theory

of the Indo-Germanic origin of the Anglo-Saxon Race.

Kempo, of course, was a system of attack and defence which

branched off from ju-jutsu into the paths of strenuous endeavor,

but, apart from the fact that it was less scientific than, ju-jutsu,

it was declared an illegal practice when the sanctity of human

life was recognised under the new regime.

The opening sentence of Uyenishi’s description of kenpo provides insight

into one of its earliest definitions and shows that in the 1800’s and early-

1900’s kenpo was recognized as a killing method (i.e., “may be roughly

described as a method of killing people…” and “against sudden attack

with intent to kill…”). Al Tracy goes on to clarify that,

In 1868 the new Japanese government eliminated two traditions:

first they eliminated the Samurai as a class and outlawed their

wearing of swords and at the same time kempo was declared an

illegal practice when the sanctity of human life was recognized

under the new regime.

Uyenishi’s definition of kenpo as a killing art predates James M. Mitose’s

book (What is Self Defense?; 1947), which presented kenpo in the post-

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shogun and post-samurai period as a form of self-defense. In the

introduction to his book, Mitose defines kenpo as:

The main purpose is to give faith to man and reform him into a

new man. One should hate the wrongdoings of a criminal but

not the man himself, for no matter how bad a person, man was

created by GOD, so if it is possible, one must try not to injure

or take any life. Try not to use any dangerous tricks, unless it is

really necessary. Do not oppose force with force, but allow force

to defeat itself.”

This definition sharply deviates from the historical and well-recognized

reputation of kenpo as being an art of killing. In any case, since Japan

and the US were just ending World War II, it should not be surprising

that a social and moral receptivity existed for redefining certain martial

arts in a more peaceful and spiritual light. Mitose’s definitions and

explanations of kenpo reflect similar spiritual and philosophical concepts

found in the writings of the aikido founder, Morihei Ueshiba, who was a

contemporary of Mitose’s. Just as the killing art of Japanese aiki jujitsu

was being reformed into the peaceful martial art to be known as aikido,

kenpo, in the hands of Mitose, also experienced a similar reformation.

Incidently, in 1970, Mitose received an honorary tenth dan in aikido at

the direction of Morihei Ueshiba. The written content of that award

follows:

Certificate of Testimony and Appreciation

To: Dr. James M. Mitose

As you are the president of the Japanese-American

(International) society for the promotion of goodwill,

friendship, and social welfare, you have contributed

to the happiness of mankind and world peace, and

especially for the handicapped people. You have

rendered services for many years to develop the

rightful ways of the Japanese martial arts of Aikido.

For your distinguished service, I hereby bestow upon

you an honorary tenth degree or Ju-dan. I respect

and appreciate your faithful and unselfish service.

March 22, 1970

Koichi Tohei, 10th degree, Ju-dan

Head instructor of Aikido

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General Headquarters (signed and stamped with

seal)

Some controversy exists regarding the award, with Koichi Tohei later

alleging that he was reluctant to issue the certificate and only did so at

the direction of Morihei Ueshiba. If true, then Koichi Tohei or Morihei

Ueshiba, or both, falsified their statements in the award with the words,

“I respect and appreciate your faithful and unselfish service.” This would

have been no small matter of honor, considering the reputation and

position of these two noted founders of aikido.

Kenpo practitioners and teachers, Brian Zarnett and Paul Seaby,

describe its development:

On the surface, Kempo's uniqueness lies in its comprehensive

and diversified means of unarmed defense. Shaolin Kempo

Karate proper is both an armed and unarmed system of combat

incorporating applications in varying appearances and method.

On an external level, Kempo is a no holds barred fighting

system of offensive and defensive methods with equal emphasis

of striking techniques with the hands and feet; immobilization

and controls; projections and takedowns; as well as weaponry

and various spiritual and healing arts. Shaolin Kempo is a

streetwise defensive art that does not restrict its students in

methodology. Clawing hands evolve into slashing feet. Cunning

joint locks turn into devastating hip throws. Evasive blocks turn

into breath closing chokes.

As we examine the early history of the martial arts, as practiced in war,

and during mankind’s history when empty-handed combat and hand

weapons (knives, spears, and swords) was all that was available to

combatants, we can readily understand that devastating attacks to the

throat to crush the airway and cause death, or techniques for destroying

the joints and connective tissues to maim the opponent, were the ideas

and techniques behind many contemporary martial artist techniques

(i.e., controlled sport chokes and joint locks). To further examine the

development of the fighting arts from their early martial history to

contemporary sports, we can see the evolution of these arts from a focus

on killing and maiming towards a universal philosophy for preserving

and protecting life (or to providing recreational and leisure satisfaction

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by the diminishing of true martial technique and the adoption of sports

rules and regulations).

From early history and traditional warfare, to the martial spiritual

transformation that was seen in the 1970’s and 1980’s, to the development

of recreational sports and martial arts competition in the 1990’s and the

present, the martial arts have undergone many changes with reference to

our understanding of the fighting arts. Nevertheless, the fundamental

techniques and applications involving the physics of killing and maiming

have remained unchanged. From the breaking of a joint or use of lethal

techniques to the airway, arteries, or nerve centers, the techniques have

remained constant, despite contemporary beliefs that may have been

manipulated by martial art gurus, movies, or promoters of recreational

and sports martial art competitions.

Martial art, whether called kenpo, hapkido, aikido, taekwondo, shorin ryu,

or any other name, or as part of any religion or philosophy, or as

developed by any individual, is fundamentally the manual application of

principles, laws, and forces of physical mechanics against the functional

biomechanics of the human body.

Many traditional martial artists claim their superiority in style of a

martial art, and in their particular philosophy or theory, or specific

techniques. The kenpo community is no exception. Many kenpo

practitioners believe in the inherent superiority of their kenpo techniques

based on its history. Members of the kenpo community commonly believe

that the only effective kenpo has been derived from a group of techniques

that came from early kenpo founders (i.e., James M. Mitose, William K.S.

Chow, and Edmund K. Parker). Nevertheless, many experienced martial

artists, especially those involved in combat or mixed martial arts,

recognize that the most effective principles of the martial arts are based

on effective training and conditioning methods, both physical and mental,

as well as fighting techniques that are based on correct physical

mechanics and physics.

Regardless of its origin, whether esoteric or modern fighting science, any

technique is either correct or incorrect because of its alignment with

physical mechanics that involve inertia, momentum, rotation,

acceleration, velocity, mass, and the generation of kinetic energy, as well

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as mechanical forces such as leverage, torque, shearing, traction, and

compression.

The three most commonly used and most effective martial art attacks are

to the throat and larynx, eyes, and joints:

1) Attacks to the throat and larynx

Hand, forearm, elbow or foot attacks to the throat area and larynx are

techniques commonly used in many martial arts. While blunt trauma

resulting in damage to the throat is rare in the general public, intentional

trauma executed by a trained martial artist is easily executed and can be

devastating against an opponent. Blunt trauma injuries to the throat can

lead to problems with aspiration, speech, or respiration and such attacks

can cause rapid asphyxiation. When blunt throat trauma is the result of

a car accident, for example, four of ten victims of blunt laryngeal trauma

are likely to die at the scene of the accident.

2) Attacks to the eyes

Eye gouging techniques are commonly used in most martial arts. Kenpo

attacks to the eyes include the use of finger pokes, finger hooks, and

thumb compression to the globe of the eye. Blunt trauma can be a

significant cause of visual loss, and occurs when the eye is struck with a

finger, fist, or other solid object. Such injuries will damage the eye, with

sudden compression and indentation of the eye globe at the moment of

impact. Bleeding from the eye may also occur as a result of blunt trauma.

Some martial art techniques attempt to compress and crush the eye globe

and others are designed to scrape the outer surface of the eye to cause

corneal abrasion, which is very painful and can immediately compromise

vision.

3) Attacks to the joints

Catastrophic joint dislocation (a “joint break”) is a trauma to a joint that

results in the tearing or detachment of tendons and ligaments and a

partial or complete separation of the connective tissue structures of the

joint. Joint breaks are common kenpo techniques and frequently involve

hyper-extending, pulling, and twisting joints until the connective tissues

tears and separates. Hinge, ball and socket, and gliding joints such as the

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elbow, knee, shoulder, fingers, toes, and wrist are especially susceptible

to joint breaking techniques.

The kenpo system of martial arts consists of over 400 techniques with

variations. The techniques are taught to kenpo students from white belt

to black belt, and they comprise a series of choreographed responses to

various attacks, from punches to grappling. To evaluate kenpo attacks

solely on individual strikes, joint locks, or the likelihood that a technique

will inflict lethal or maiming damage, and if we sort the techniques

according to their lethality, we would find that the physical damage

reputed to result from single strikes or techniques is not supported by

common sparring or combat experience, or our understanding of

physical mechanics and body physiology.

The human body is amazingly durable and plastic, and many of the

attacks, strikes, and techniques of modern martial arts are not directed

to the most vulnerable areas of the body. For example, the yellow belt

kenpo technique called, Alternating Maces, has blocking and covering

movements, as well as a thrust punch to the sternum or solar plexus and

a back fist attack to the temple. While any of these strikes could cause

discomfort or unconsciousness, in full contact or mixed martial arts, these

strikes frequently fail to achieve either result and they are certainly not

reliably lethal or maiming techniques. Martial art techniques that involve

strikes to major muscle areas of the arms, legs, torso, or abdomen, to the

ribs, or to the bony cranium of the head frequently fail to achieve their

intended purpose.

In the early history of the martial arts, including kenpo and aiki jujitsu,

joint breaking, involving partial or complete destruction of the joint

capsule or complex, was a common technique and a physical objective in

fighting. During the late-1800’s and through the 1900’s, these techniques

lost favor and became relegated to joint pressure locks in the quasi-

spiritual/philosophical martial arts (i.e., aikido and sport martial arts like

judo). The original kenpo joint attacks involved complete or partial

destruction of the joint, and the mental and physical execution of a joint

pressure lock was significantly different from a joint break. When the

intention is to destroy a joint through maximum trauma (connective

tissue tearing, detachment, and dislocation), the joint attack is executed

more like a strike moving through the joint, rather than a grasping or

holding pressure on the joint.

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Many, if not most, grappling techniques are defeated by the simplest and

most basic martial art technique, breaking the fingers of the grappler.

Another example of the progression of kenpo away from its original roots

as a killing and maiming art, are the chokes and counters to chokes that

are routinely taught in kenpo schools. The development of quasi-

spiritual/philosophical and sports approaches to the martial arts have led

many martial artists to misunderstand the proper application of a choke.

The original intention and purpose of a choke was to crush the airway

and larynx and to cause arterial damage, collapse, and swelling, which

cuts off blood flow to the brain, in one sudden and forceful movement.

On the battlefield, the intention is not to render an opponent temporarily

unconscious, but to kill. In a rear naked choke, for example (as a kenpo

technique), once the forearm is positioned across the opponent’s throat,

the radial bone of the forearm is forcibly driven backwards through the

opponent’s neck.

Kenpo stylists could argue that the techniques are not designed to be

executed as choreographed in real self-defense situations, but simply

serve as instructional templates to teach progressively higher-level

techniques and to develop advanced kenpo practitioners who can

spontaneously respond to any attack. Nevertheless, if an attack does not

contain strikes to the most vulnerable areas of the body, and to body parts

that would be subject to severe trauma (i.e., the eyes, throat, and joints),

the attack fails to meet the original definition of kenpo as a killing art.

Claims have been made throughout history regarding the superiority or

the invincibility of certain martial artists and different styles of martial

arts. The current mixed martial arts are no exception to these claims.

While the mixed martial arts are popular as a form of controlled and

state-regulated sports competition, they cannot be considered as a

combat or killing art, because of the many rules and regulations. Mixed

martial arts fighters are often superbly conditioned athletes, who are

trained to fight in an artificial environment (e.g., “cage fighting”). The

conditioning of the body and strengthening of connective tissues is an

important element in martial sports events, but throughout the

development of traditional martial arts, the most vulnerable areas of the

body (joints, eyes, throat, and other soft tissue; nerves and arterial target

areas) are well understood to be vulnerable to a focused attack because

they cannot be “hardened.” Even the strongest fighter has a brain

composed of 78% water, which is vulnerable to concussion when

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acceleration/deceleration forces, directed to the head, exceed the brain’s

ability to withstand blunt trauma. Moreover, the strongest of fighters still

has joints that can be hyper-extended or hyper-flexed beyond their ability

to maintain joint stability.

Conclusion:

Because of the nature and limitations of human anatomy and physiology,

with regards to body tissues, organs, and the physical mechanics of joints,

a human body will be equally susceptible to any technique, whether it is

Chinese, Japanese, Okinawan, European, or American, or whether it is

based on Buddhist or Shinto religions, or is without any religious or

philosophical foundation. What matters is the proper mastery and

application of conditioning and training, both mental and physical, as

well as, the proper use of physical mechanics in the execution of fighting

techniques.

When this universal principle is recognized, the need for a large number

of different martial arts styles may disappear, along with the often

confusing array of techniques and the frequently baseless claims about

the superiority of one over the other.

The historical development of kenpo, from traditional to modern, has

been a long process. While kenpo, in recent times, has been modified to

fit with contemporary ethical, philosophical, and spiritual sensitivities, as

well as, the recognition of the sanctity of human life, its origins and

applications were centered on its effectiveness as a killing and maiming

art.

Perhaps, the best way to explain kenpo, in terms of modern fighting

applications is through the statement of a kenpo teacher as it pertains to

kumite,

Never enter into kumite without the intention to kill and the

willing acceptance of your death. But do neither, do not kill and

do not die. But if by circumstance you are faced with the choice

of killing or dying, know this, it is better to die not having taken

a life than to die a murderer.

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References:

Uyenishi, S.K. (1905). The Text Book of Ju-jutsu as Practiced in Japan.

4th Edition, London Athletic Press.

Mitose, James M. (1981, January 1). What is Self Defense? (Kenpo Jiu-

Jitsu). Paperback.

http://www.tracyskarate.com/History/Mitosebook/masterpage.htm

Zarnett, B. & Seaby, P. Kenpo FAQ. http://www-

leland.stanford.edu/group/kenpo/kenpo-faq.html

Ferreira, Feliciano (Kimo). San Jose Kenpo Karate.

http://www.sanjosekenpo.com/mitose_and_the_aikido_connection.htm

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Other books and materials by this author –

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Civil Protection Training Program, Copyright 2015

Dr. Gregory T. Lawton

All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in

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permission from Gregory T. Lawton.

Muyblue Productions 2040 Raybrook SE, Suite 104 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546 616-464-0892 Writing, Art and Design – Dr. Gregory T. Lawton