Is Doing Kata Mindless Repetition?

Sep 01
2010
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One of our older Black Belts recently fell and put some road rash on himself rather badly, barely having time to get his palms in front of his face before he hit the deck.  Karateka are often criticized for doing kata and are said to be engaging themselves in meaningless and mindless repetition.  I say “baloney’ to this.
 
Why is the practice of Tai Chi Chuan and it’s much more limited routines touted as being great for one’s health, improving health, mental alertness, longevity, reducing high blood pressure and reducing falls in the elderly?
 
It’s because of our faddish, trendy country that we live in.  Doctors study Tai Chi Chuan because it’s elegant, graceful and more easily performed.  All the while karate is associated with “knuckle dragger” types, despite the fact that their are many more karate katas, which are far more involved, and bring the same health characteristics along with them for the practitioner, be they male, female, young or elderly. 
 
I spoke with my scuffed up student and asked if he’d been doing his katas and was promptly told “no sir.”  In the routines of Tai Chic Chuan and Karate, one must concentrate, pick up the feet to the correct height, for proper movement, focus in the moment about what all of the body parts are doing.  I suspect that he fell because he has stopped doing his katas and in a moment of confusion, his footwork balance and coordination where adversely affected to the extreme of taking  a spill.
 
Is doing Karate katas mindless repetition?  No it is not.
Written by Ronin in: Martial Arts |

Personal Alarms as Crime Deterrents

Aug 19
2010
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Mace Personal Alarm

Personal alarms will give you an edge in thwarting assailants.  Muggers, robbers and rapists don’t want to have attention drawn to themselves.  With a Mace Sports Strobe Alarm, you’ll do just that.  To activate the alarm, remove the pin from the top of the unit to activate a “loud” 130 decibel blast and a flashing strobe light!

There’s a button on the side of this unit which allows the strobe light to be deactivated, to use the unit as a flashlight. The Mace Sports Strobe personal alarm has an attachment which allows it to be used as a window or door alarm.  Mace is one of the most trusted names in security products.  Their personal alarm is no different.  For well under $20 your wife, daughter or girlfriend should have one, don’t you think?

Written by Ronin in: Crime Information, Product Reviews |

Stun Guns for Self Defense

Jul 27
2010
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This country is experiencing record highs in unemployment.  The numbers do and don’t correlate to a rise in violent crime as we’ll see.  The United States has 11,877,218 crimes (topping the list of all countries).  That is not to say we’re becoming more violent. 
 
Actually, crime is declining compared to previous years.  Analysts are stumped as to how, despite a sour economy, there are less crimes in 2010 as in previous years (to date).  In his book “Why Crime Rates Fell,” John Conklin, a Tufts University Sociologist, has concluded that the answer is simple.  There are more 1/2 million more people in Prison than ever before.  Is the answer that simple?  Probably not, but stricter laws and stiffer sentences are a good deterrent.
 
We are martial artists here at Crime-Information.com and never take lightly, facts like an increase in States issuing conceal carry permits for handguns, self defense awareness and martial arts based training and seminars are doing their part as well.
 
We strive in our online stores to sell the most effective self defense deterrents like stun guns, Mace and pepper spray play a significant role as well.  We are always available to offer expert advice as well.  We don’t just sell the stuff from our online outlets, we use the products and even test them on ourselves.  Yup, you heard me right.  I’m a 6th Dan in Shorin Ryu karate and schooled in other martial disciplines as well, but we learn and teach that one should try and use anything for a weapon when needed. 
 
I’ve been Maced and stunned on several occasions and my partners too, it’s never a pleasant experience, but I can talk to someone on the phone or via email and give them recommendations on each product, it’s philosophy of use and what’s best for their situation.
 
Today I spoke to a gentleman about Runt stun guns.  In particular for self defense use, ease of upkeep and reliability, the Runt 4.5 million volt rechargeable stun gun.  This model has a lifetime guarantee and no problem with replacing batteries.  Just recharge one as needed and you’re good to go.  My experience is that most stun guns have a great battery life but if you never want to buy them again, the Runt 4.5 million volt rechargeable stun gun is what you want.
Written by Ronin in: Crime Information, Self Defense |

Mace Pepper Gel – Best Defense Spray Deterrent

Jul 13
2010
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Mace Pepper Gel

Mace Pepper Gel

I have to make this brief since an injury to my leg has caused swelling that can only be relieved by lying back with my leg propped up.  Nothing serious but very necessary.

 
I want to encourage those who may read this post and don’t own firearms to protect themselves and their home by using Mace Pepper Gel.  This is the best defense spray product on the market today.
 
Why do I say this and how can I back up this claim?  Well, Mace is an internationally known brand who’s products and reputation has withstood the test of time.  Their latest gel spray – available in regular (7 one second bursts) and large size (13 one second bursts) shoots a gel with great force, up to 18 feet, with pinpoint accuracy.  It only affects the person who is struck by the gel, which sticks like glue and rubbing it only works the OC pepper deeper into the skin, increasing the burn.
 
Furthermore, Mace pepper gel releases no ambient particles into the air which is a huge plus.  It can be fired in a car, an apartment and even a hospital safely with no harmful gas left floating in the air.  This stuff is the bomb!  My wife and daughter carry Mace pepper gel exclusively, as well as anyone who asks me which type of defense spray to purchase.
 
If someone broke into my house or apartment and I owned no firearm, I would opt for pepper gel and a 3 or 4 cell Mag-Lite for illumination, doubling as an impact device to be used after I plastered the burglar with pepper gel and seriously impaired his vision and ability to harm me.
Written by Ronin in: Crime Information |

Independence Day Sale – Pepper Spray and Mace!

Jul 04
2010
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We’d like to wish everyone a safe and Happy 4th of July holiday.  We’re having an Independence Day Sale!  Pepper Spray and Mace defense spray are 10% off.  Just type “4th if July” in the comments box during checkout and we’ll adjust the charges.  Take advantage of great prices today!
Written by Ronin in: Self Defense |

Self Defense Against Hair Grabs

Jul 01
2010
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I discussed hair grabs briefly in an earlier post.  I would like you to read my full article written on the subject and see for yourself how devastating a hair grab can be and the same time, how easy it is to defend yourself from one.
 
It seems like the Jerry Springer show is a case study in the application of, but not the defense of a hair grab.  If you’re serious about your self defense or plan on appearing on his show then please follow this link to learn how to properly apply or defend against a hair grab.
Written by Ronin in: Martial Arts, Women's Defense Tips |

Self Defense Deterrents; Mace – Stun Guns

Jun 27
2010
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We advocate using whatever is needed and lawful to deter an assailant from doing bodily harm to your person or your family members.
 
Many attackers will come up in a confrontational manner and grab you by your shirt at the shoulder or lapel areas.  There are many martial arts techniques that are very effective but take time and lots of practice to become proficient at.
 
Two things to remember: if you’re caught in a two handed grab, your attacker has given up two of his weapon and all four of yours are still in play.
 
I highly recommend the use of a non-lethal high voltage stun gun to the torso or a couple for shots of Mace pepper spray to the eyes, nose and mouth of an assailant to quickly break off the attack and give you the precious time to escape or mount a counter attack.
Written by Ronin in: Personal Opinions, Self Defense |

Electronic Child Monitor – Proximity Alarm

Jun 05
2010
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Every day we see children that have come up missing, runaways and some that have been kidnapped.  Admittedly, many of these are a result of poor parental or caregiver supervision but in other cases the disappearance of a child right can occur right under our noses!
 
Our kids are trusting, inquisitive and full of energy.  It can be a real job to keep our eyes on an energetic child bent on exploration.  As parents we are well advised to take every precaution available to insure their safety and well-being.  Now it’s easier to keep tabs on our children with the latest technology of a wireless child proximity alarm monitor that’s adjustable and allows you to pre-set a distance barrier from 6 to 30 feet.
 
The child wears a cartoon shaped button / badge, either visible or hidden, that contains a micro-chip sending a signal to the parent’s or caregiver’s receiver.  The second the child reaches the pre-set distance the alarm goes off and the alarm sounds on your receiver letting you know your child is straying.  These monitors come with rotating channels so that if more than one of the units is in use nearby, the correct transmitter on your child will alert you and not from the interference of any other unit in use nearby.
 
Priced under $25,  a child monitor - proximity alarm offers a lot of peace of mind and allows you to rest a bit easier, in the knowledge that you’ll know where your child is at every moment.
Written by Ronin in: Crime Information, Product Reviews |

Self Defense – Distance Matters

Jun 01
2010
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SM300SB

Just as in hand to hand close quarter combat scenarios, so too in the realm of self defense, distance is an important consideration.

If you are subjected to an attack and you lack the expert skills of a martial artist or don’t like the idea of carrying a firearm, then you will want a self defense deterrent that affords you some protection at a distance that’s further than grappling range.

Stun batons offer you the same power as a stun gun, but allow you to maintain some precious distance between yourself and an attacker.

Written by Ronin in: Self Defense |

Keychain Pepper Spray

May 30
2010
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Keychain Pepper Spray

Keychain Pepper Spray


When confronted by an assailant it’s wise to have access to a self defense product. You would of course, need to deploy your self defense strategy in a hurry. Just a few seconds too long in hesitation or fumbling with a deterrent can cost you a beating or even your life.

A quality pepper spray with a quick release keychain can form a self defense strategy that will assist you in a lightning quick self defense response. Pepper spray will stop an attacker in their tracks or have them flailing about blindly while you escape or mount a counter attack.

There’s a couple of great things about pepper spray. It’s non-lethal, it’s legal to own, it’s easy and effective in use against attackers of all sizes and species of mammals. Get some!

Written by Ronin in: Personal Opinions, Self Defense |
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