The Kindle version of 'International Security, Personal Protection in an Uncertain World" by Orlando Wilson recently came out.
I have waited for this to come out for a while, and was not disappointed. Mr. Wilson has delivered a very good personal security primer here.
Not a book of checklists or esoteric philosophy, Mr. Wilson presents the essentials of security to the reader in a manner that requires the reader to evaluate their own security needs, and take action appropriately. He includes some brief examples from his career in Executive Protection to help illustrate his points.
I feel this would be a very good companion book to 'Escape the Wolf' by Clint Emerson.
I would like to see both books in the future include more personal examples of what to do, such as in this article from HammerHead Combat Systems on using reflections in daily life for situational awareness.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
Review - Jik Bo Kuen Applications
As promised, here is the review of Warrior Body Buddha Mind's Omei Bak Mei Jik Bo Kuen Applications video.
As you are aware, I am very pleased with the instructional video and the circling hands video. The Applications video is also a winner.
I like the format the Sifu Christer has put together, breaking the form down segment by segment, and then showing applications (examples) to what he has broken down.
There is a lot of material in the form, and lots of places to pay attention to the smallest details to get the best results. Jik Bo Kuen is considered a beginners form, and also a Master's level form.
There were several key points that Sifu Christer brought out, not directly related to any one technique.
1 - Have faith in the techniques.
2 - Maintain the correct distance when practicing - the 'attacker' needs to feed the punches and grabs realistically (although slowly at first). This trains the eyes to recognize real threats, and also prepares you for the psychological effects of someone in your face.
3 - Have the correct mindset. Don't play patty cake with the arms, seize and strike with body weight. Of course, don't injure your partner - no one will play with you if you keep breaking them.
4 - The form is very strict in its footwork, angles, structures, etc. The applications will not necessarily be as strict. Adapt and become fluid in your actions.
I recommend you purchase all three videos. They will help you understand your respective martial art, and build a firm foundation for learning other sets.
As you are aware, I am very pleased with the instructional video and the circling hands video. The Applications video is also a winner.
I like the format the Sifu Christer has put together, breaking the form down segment by segment, and then showing applications (examples) to what he has broken down.
There is a lot of material in the form, and lots of places to pay attention to the smallest details to get the best results. Jik Bo Kuen is considered a beginners form, and also a Master's level form.
There were several key points that Sifu Christer brought out, not directly related to any one technique.
1 - Have faith in the techniques.
2 - Maintain the correct distance when practicing - the 'attacker' needs to feed the punches and grabs realistically (although slowly at first). This trains the eyes to recognize real threats, and also prepares you for the psychological effects of someone in your face.
3 - Have the correct mindset. Don't play patty cake with the arms, seize and strike with body weight. Of course, don't injure your partner - no one will play with you if you keep breaking them.
4 - The form is very strict in its footwork, angles, structures, etc. The applications will not necessarily be as strict. Adapt and become fluid in your actions.
I recommend you purchase all three videos. They will help you understand your respective martial art, and build a firm foundation for learning other sets.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Omei Bak Mei Circling Hands
I ordered the 'Omei Bak Mei Circling Hands' video (download) from Warrior Body Buddha Mind (WBBM) last week.
Starting with the download itself - what a pain. But this is due to my location (middle of a landlocked, dusty/sandy country with limited bandwidth on the best of days). Sifu Christer was a great asset, being patient with my multiple attempts to get a complete download. I also downloaded the Ly Jik Bo applications video (review coming later).
As noted on their site, the audio quality in a few places was bad - but only in a few small areas. It was a minor distraction, and did not detract from the instructional quality.
I liked the format of the video. With a brief introduction to the circling hands 'training platform' - it was right into the meat of the instruction. I liked the way they took the form Yum Yeung Jik Bo Kuen from beginning to end and how to apply it from the circling hands practice.
The circling hands video compliments the form video - both urging relaxation and use of body (rise/sink/contract/expand) movement and not just arm and shoulder. I also liked the emphasis on it being a developmental drill and not a competition.
If you haven't bought the Yum Yeung Jik Bo Kuen video - do so before getting the circling hands video. It will make understanding both so much easier.
I have had exposure to several methods of 'sensitivity' training - hubud-lubud, Chi Sao, etc. - and like the combatives application that the WBBM bring to the table (mirrors my own ideas/experiences). Rather than focus on a rigid structure of movement, they tend towards a quicker, more dynamic method of movement. Kinda hard to explain in words, but the would rather you get moving and experience the exercise than worry about doing it 'properly'. The other arts tend to take a little longer to get to the useful stages (in my opinion).
Drop a comment, let me know what you think. Tell your other martial arts training partners about my site - the more the merrier.
Starting with the download itself - what a pain. But this is due to my location (middle of a landlocked, dusty/sandy country with limited bandwidth on the best of days). Sifu Christer was a great asset, being patient with my multiple attempts to get a complete download. I also downloaded the Ly Jik Bo applications video (review coming later).
As noted on their site, the audio quality in a few places was bad - but only in a few small areas. It was a minor distraction, and did not detract from the instructional quality.
I liked the format of the video. With a brief introduction to the circling hands 'training platform' - it was right into the meat of the instruction. I liked the way they took the form Yum Yeung Jik Bo Kuen from beginning to end and how to apply it from the circling hands practice.
The circling hands video compliments the form video - both urging relaxation and use of body (rise/sink/contract/expand) movement and not just arm and shoulder. I also liked the emphasis on it being a developmental drill and not a competition.
If you haven't bought the Yum Yeung Jik Bo Kuen video - do so before getting the circling hands video. It will make understanding both so much easier.
I have had exposure to several methods of 'sensitivity' training - hubud-lubud, Chi Sao, etc. - and like the combatives application that the WBBM bring to the table (mirrors my own ideas/experiences). Rather than focus on a rigid structure of movement, they tend towards a quicker, more dynamic method of movement. Kinda hard to explain in words, but the would rather you get moving and experience the exercise than worry about doing it 'properly'. The other arts tend to take a little longer to get to the useful stages (in my opinion).
Drop a comment, let me know what you think. Tell your other martial arts training partners about my site - the more the merrier.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Warrior Body, Buddha Mind
Warrior Body Buddha Mind - not a new site (been around a year or so in its present location - but a treasure trove of information regarding Yau Kung Mun, Bak Mei Pai and other arts.
I like the way that Sifu Garry Hearfield has researched the roots of the various arts, getting to the core methods of them.
I have several of their products, and find them to be extremely helpful in either a) introducing me to concepts I didn't have a grasp on, or b) exposing me to a different way of looking at what I currently train in.
Stop by and check them out.
I have several of their products, and find them to be extremely helpful in either a) introducing me to concepts I didn't have a grasp on, or b) exposing me to a different way of looking at what I currently train in.
Stop by and check them out.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Situational Awareness - September 2012
When Things Go Bad - deals with mental preparation, before a situation develops.
A Practical Guide to Situational Awareness - discussing how to achieve good SA without going into the 'paranoia' stage.
As always; read, study and apply the techniques that work for you.
Enjoy the links? Drop me a comment and let me know if we are providing relevant content for you. Thanks.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Awareness
This post is a bit 'off' the normal Yau Kung Mun pathway, but ....
This is from DeeperBlue.com - a site about free diving.
Although this deals with sharks in particular, it can be used to illustrate the importance of awareness and its importance to our security/survival.
The author looked at the surroundings, the influences of geography on his location, and made a decision - based on his observations. Later, he was told there was a high-incidence of shark attacks there.
Do the same with your destinations - grocery store, new harbor to explore, etc. Conduct a quick observation/assessment, decide if things are in your favor and then act upon the decision.
Just wanted to illustrate that the concept of awareness is not limited to security issues. It is a tool we can (and do) utilize all the time.
This is from DeeperBlue.com - a site about free diving.
Although this deals with sharks in particular, it can be used to illustrate the importance of awareness and its importance to our security/survival.
The author looked at the surroundings, the influences of geography on his location, and made a decision - based on his observations. Later, he was told there was a high-incidence of shark attacks there.
Do the same with your destinations - grocery store, new harbor to explore, etc. Conduct a quick observation/assessment, decide if things are in your favor and then act upon the decision.
Just wanted to illustrate that the concept of awareness is not limited to security issues. It is a tool we can (and do) utilize all the time.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Update
Just realized how long it had been since a posting here.
Was talking with Sean, and realized I have been neglecting the blog.
So, here's the update:
1. Finished up a 3 month stretch of yoga (usually twice a day) sessions, mobility and other recovery-type workouts. Kept weight down, improved some mental calmness, but I need to do some interval type work to get the blood flowing and improve my morale.
2. Started working with a new student, Jesus. A friend of my sister in law, he wanted some martial arts and general conditioning workouts. In two months of sporadic (due to my schedule, mostly) - he has learned the sequence for the stance set and the first set, Tung Chi Kuen. And more importantly, he has worked on it over the periods when I was not available. His dedication shows in his improvement each time.
3. Sifu Garry Hearfield has been hard at work on his Warrior Body Buddha Mind site, and has been working with Sifu Christer on the Burning Palm series. Check out here and here. He also has a FaceBook presence, check out his work.
4. I have been working on my yacht security blog (here) and become a micro distributor for Alarm Locks. Plus the day job, diving, boating, family time and all that.
Drop a line, check out my other sites, tell your friends to comment and ask questions and I'll be forced to update more often.
Was talking with Sean, and realized I have been neglecting the blog.
So, here's the update:
1. Finished up a 3 month stretch of yoga (usually twice a day) sessions, mobility and other recovery-type workouts. Kept weight down, improved some mental calmness, but I need to do some interval type work to get the blood flowing and improve my morale.
2. Started working with a new student, Jesus. A friend of my sister in law, he wanted some martial arts and general conditioning workouts. In two months of sporadic (due to my schedule, mostly) - he has learned the sequence for the stance set and the first set, Tung Chi Kuen. And more importantly, he has worked on it over the periods when I was not available. His dedication shows in his improvement each time.
3. Sifu Garry Hearfield has been hard at work on his Warrior Body Buddha Mind site, and has been working with Sifu Christer on the Burning Palm series. Check out here and here. He also has a FaceBook presence, check out his work.
4. I have been working on my yacht security blog (here) and become a micro distributor for Alarm Locks. Plus the day job, diving, boating, family time and all that.
Drop a line, check out my other sites, tell your friends to comment and ask questions and I'll be forced to update more often.
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