Being smart about trash

So I passed a house this morning that had a nice large box out in front from a brand new 60" plasma TV. The problem there is that they are letting every passerby know that there is a nice new television just on the other side of the door, all you have to do is come in and take it. It's a temptation that you shouldn't be broadcasting.

A better idea may have been to break the box up into small pieces and place it in a bag, or in another nondescript box, or to take the box to the dump or recycling center by itself. This is a smart thing to do not just over Christmas, but all year around.

Times are tough right now and people are getting more and more desperate out there. Don't give anyone the temptation to do something wrong.

Keep your head on a swivel.

Rapist on the loose in Harrisburg

CBS news reported an apparent rape in Harrisburg on Saturday. Their reporter called me on Sunday, asking if I could talk to her about self-defense and to pay a visit to the studio. Here is the story - we need to keep a look out for trouble not just for us but for our loved ones as well.

Keep your head on a swivel.

It seems that lately there are more and more attacks happening out there. The economy is bad, people are getting more and more desperate, and there are those that are more willing to do whatever they have to to take what is yours. I'll be updating the blog a lot more often, offering tips and advice for situational awareness and keeping your senses about you. Feel free to comment and we can discuss.

Looking around you

Looking around you

Situational awareness is all about paying attention and details. Think about when you were little and your mother, father or grandparents took you to an intersection - we were all told to do the same thing: look left, look right and look left again. Incorporating this same idea into your everyday life can keep you out of trouble. We can get into patterns of going the same way or the same place (which will be a subject of another note down the road), and we can quickly become complacent. Complacency can get you into trouble in a heartbeat. Texting while you're walking is an example of this. This hyper-focusing on an item makes you oblivious to what is happening around you and takes away that natural intuition we all have that helps keep us away from danger.

I play a little game with myself to help keep my situational awareness up. It's something I learned in the Marine Corps and it can really help anywhere. It's all about noticing details and remembering them. Everyone and everything you see has something special about it, you just need to pick up on it and store it away. Maybe a man you pass has along chain attached to his wallet - or a female is wearing an 80's band t-shirt. Doing this with fixed prominent terrain features like buildings can help you to not get lost as well by giving you a way to remember how you traveled in case you need to backtrack.

Remember, diligence, paying attention to details and situational awareness isn't paranoia - it's smart thinking.

We go over situational awareness frequently in our classes in both the Lancaster and Harrisburg studios. For more information go to www.bdkenpo.com

On Sheep, Wolves and Sheepdogs...

I recently re-discovered a brilliant article that I believe spells out what it means to be a dedicated Kenpo practitioner.  We as Kenpo martial artists have a responsibility to keep a level head, to be vigilant and to be ready to use the necessary force to end a situation but no more force than is needed.

http://www.killology.com/sheep_dog.htm - is an article that if you are reading this, will likely explain what you are - a sheepdog.

Fitness with Kenpo

Fitness is important.  As students of Kenpo, we need to stay fit.  We push our bodies when we spar and when we do rotating technique lines.  Being fit will help us all heal from injury much faster, or prevent us from being injured in the first place.  Our workouts should and do incorporate strength training, stretching and cardiovascular activity.  Here is what our typical class workout will consist of:

stretching - arms, legs, neck, back

pushups - (50)

situps - (50)

one minute on the punching bag, sustained as hard and fast as possible

knee strikes (50 each knee)

medicine ball situps (40)

hello dolly's (40)

belt drags (length of studio and back)

Add to this our technique lines to work our techniques on bodies and sparring, and you've got your fitness solution.  Don't worry, I provide the propel, water and rest time when needed.  

Who needs a gym?  Save the money on that membership and get fit while you learn to defend yourself and your family!

Join the Black Dragon page on FaceBook!  

Kenpo Keychain Seminar!

Kenpo Keychain Seminar - December 6th 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Announcing our very first Kenpo Keychain seminar with 8th Degree Black Belt Gary Ronemus. Come meet Mr. Ronemus and see Mr. Eric's instructor. Mr. Ronemus began studying American Kenpo Karate in 1974. Mr. Ronemus received all his promotions from Purple Belt through Fourth Black directly from Mr. Parker. He is listed on the original family tree, published in 1981, as a second generation black belt from Mr. Ed Parker, father of American Kenpo. He has taught classes and seminars throughout the East Coast, including the college level. Mr. Ronemus opened his first Studio in September, 1981 - and brings 35 years of instruction to our studio for one night only!

The Kenpo Keychain seminar is $20.00 per person and includes your own Kenpo Keychain, manual and 2 hours of instruction with Mr. Ronemus. Contact Mr. Eric to reserve your spot!

FREE Women's Self-Defense Course at Black Dragon!

FREE Woman's Self-Defense Course

Black Dragon American Kenpo will be conducting a FREE 8-week women-only (ages 13 and up) self defense course beginning Monday December 1 and running until January 19 Monday nights from 7:00 to 8:00pm. The course will be held at here in our studio in Manheim. This is an absolutely free course open to any female age 13 and up. Invite any woman who you'd like to see armed with some solid self-defense knowledge!

Learn to defend yourself in a safe, non-intimidating atmosphere, applying real world concepts.

Contact Mr. Eric to reserve your place.

October Promotions

Congratulations to our new Yellow belts - Gavin Sollenberger, Tina White and Heather Duda! Great Job Everyone!

Women's 10-week Self Defense Course!

Black Dragon American Kenpo will be conducting a 10-week women-only self defense course beginning Monday September 8 from 7:00 to 8:00pm. The course will be held at LCBC Church in Manheim. A $10 donation covers the entire 10 weeks and you do not have to be a member or attendee of the church to come out. Invite any woman who you'd like to see armed with some solid self-defense knowledge! Contact Mr. Eric for more details.