Survival Academy

Hello everyone!

As many of you know, this is a season of change for our club. With locations changing swiftly, I decided to take this time and relocate the blog to a place that better fits our goals.

The new location is:

survivalacademy.blogspot.com

I encourage you all to visit regularly. It will hold much of the same content that the other site did.

I am also looking for other people to contribute! I want our class to all have a voice and to share ideas, not just have me come up with my own junk...

See you at the new blog!

Fight Quest!

Hey Everyone!

I know many of you have heard of "Fight Quest", a canceled cable program.

The basic idea of the show is that two Americans go around the world and learn a martial art for 5 days and then partake in a contest with one of the champions.

These shows (there are many like this) are hokey and pretty damn silly. But they do have SOME legit value, and I find them entertaining...

This one I'm linking today is on Kali. It's a stick fighting art that you can find mostly in the pacific rim.

If you choose to watch it, look for these things:
1. Footwork: Who is moving forward and who is moving backward
2. Exercises: Why all the goofy movements and strange objects? Why not use a perfectly round, perfectly balanced bar to lift?
3. Can you spot any drills from class?

Enjoy the video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeSRC2TS0OA

New Videos!

First couple of videos for today are of bouncers. The videos speak for themselves.

Remember: Some dirtbags use fists, some weapons, but the most uncourageous and reprehensible fighters use... Lawsuits....

First video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17hFmmafNXY&feature=email
15 years of hockey and the dude can't figure out how to keep his teeth in his mouth...

Second video: Lawsuit vs Bouncer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYVUb3i3GSo&feature=email

Third video: Knife techniques from a knife culture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7eG2-mD3WE&feature=email
Count the xguards, and pocket steps!

Fourth Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTmFEx106hk&feature=email
The important thing I get from this video is 2 things:
1. Resourcefulness. In the event your about to fight, know your weapons!
2. When some guy in a ski mask starts wrapping up newspaper, get ready...

Fifth Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OencugW1glU&feature=email
I have first hand experiance of suffering the wrath of padlock strikes. They hurt, but they restrict the motions you can make.

Sixth Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rEstbhLYn0&feature=email
Even goofballs in ski masks know the ins and outs of a stabbing. He might be a legit guy, but putting stuff like this in public domain is dangerous. I can't foresee anyone but martial arts practitioners and shit bags finding this video.

See you all in a couple hours!

Big Changes

Hey everyone!

We all have heard now that big changes are coming to the Survival Academy. Location will be changing in a few weeks and we will land on our feet.

Of course, this will be in the long term nothing to worry about as it seems that MANY locations would be glad to have us. We have already secured at least one location, and many more are interested.

That being said, Sunday's class will be at Enso Aikido and I hope to see you all there.

Although this doesn't pertain to most folks, I want you all to see a video of a real attack.

3 pieces of garbage attack a guy while 3 cops are with him.

Dirt bags have little fear and ALWAYS HAVE FRIENDS!
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/125457263.html?skipthumb=Y#13106548785891&if_height=279

Once Upon A Time...

Once Upon A Time there was a crazy old gun nut who lived on a street. This crazy old gun nut had security cameras installed around his house. The people who lived on the block would refer to this man as paranoid and dangerous.

Then....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuhKCiY-lu0&feature=player_embedded#at=16

Although I don't advocate cameras, guns, or having gun fights with 4 guys, I do advocate for doing everything in your power to keep yourself safe.

Make sure that you know real violence exists. Make sure you have a fair understanding of security and protection. Remember that even your home can quickly turn into a battle ground.

How safe are you?

Flash Mobs and Gorillas!

I had a great time at class this week!

I think we tied in all the previous stuff nicely and everyone seems to be picking up on it quickly. We had a large turnout and that really helps people get a feel for how they are doing in a class. Different heights, weights, skill levels really cause everyone to develop quickly. Great job everyone!

I recently wrote some blogs about Flash Mobs. It doesn't sound like this particular incident was a flash mob, but it's very similar. Take a look at how you can be dragged into a fight!

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/07/09/mother-teenage-girl-mob-attacked-my-family/

Additionally, here are some Gorilla videos that we have mentioned in class!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C-e96m4730&feature=feedf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDYyv-iLmRY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfjrXEArj88&feature=email

Last but not least: A video of Chris and his twin brother doing wrestling drills...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ8jITXNzgc&feature=email

See you next week!

Fight Back

The idea of "Fighting Back" is a really sensitive subject in the violence community. 

Although I struggle to find the documentation, I have often heard that many police groups advice people to give into attackers and give them what they want. This of course, is to prevent people from getting killed by some crazy person over their wallet...

Other groups advocate fighting back. Not just for themselves, but so that criminals learn that people in the community are armed or willing to fight back.

Either way, it's really up to the individual. Do you have the heart to fight back? What are you willing to fight for? How far are you willing to go to protect yourself, your property, your loved ones? 

I personally think that criminals are more of opportunists than anything. Most stolen cars are the ones left running. Most burglaries happen on houses that are left unlocked. 

Studies have shown that criminals are for the most part weak, scared, but vicious people who don't want a fair fight, but rather look for the "Wounded Gazelle" walking the plains alone at night. 

Due to this, I think that fighting back has a very important place. 

Some things to remember:

1. The "winner" of a fight is the one who escalates the force faster and more viciously.

2. The best defense is warding off attackers. When someone attacks you it's because they believe that you are weaker than them and easily taken advantage of. Look like you are a dangerous animal and predators will go away.

3. Every fight involves a weapon.

This blog was inspired by a local news report I came across:

http://kstp.com/news/stories/S2179185.shtml?cat=1

Look at the list above.

1. The female victim escalated to a higher level of force quicker. Rocks, punching, etc.

2. She was picked because she was a female (Most likely) and thought to be weaker.

3. Rock. Rock to the face is a weapon. Do you think she was carrying a "lucky stone" or do you think she found it in the fray?  Just because the person appears to be unarmed now, doesn't mean they will be forever.

See you all at class on Sunday!