Avoidance is the Best Self-Defense

May. 26, 2020 by

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Benjamin Franklin.  One of the points we emphasize at our self-defense school is that we hope you never get involved in a physical confrontation. Avoidance, as Rory Miller writes, is

Don’t Stand So Close to Me: 4 Reasons to Maintain Distance.

Feb. 21, 2020 by

“Don’t Stand So Close to Me” The Police During every self-defense class, we emphasize that our primary goal is not to teach you how to “win a fight” but to get you home safe. One way to preserve your safety

6 Tips for an Effective Straight Punch

Feb. 5, 2020 by

When you see a trained fighter throw punches they seem to flow with ease. Punching, as many of us learn, is not as easy some make it look.  One reason is that it is not a natural movement. If you

Four Tips to De-escalate a Potentially Violent Conflict

Jul. 26, 2019 by

Last summer (2018), I was exiting a train at the Bloor/Yonge subway station. It was crowded and as I walked toward the stairs I accidentally bump into a man. I turned to apologize and saw him squinting at me with

Safety in Crowds

Jun. 14, 2019 by

This year the NBA’s Toronto Raptors went on an incredible playoff run culminating with them winning the NBA Championship. For the duration of the playoffs, fans gathered in Jurassic Park, an area outside of the Air Canada Centre in downtown

What is Scanning?

May. 8, 2019 by

Scan: to look at intently or quickly Rarely, perhaps never, does a class go by when an instructor doesn’t remind a student to scan.  We sometimes sound like those pull-a-string dolls that repeat phrases over and over again.  Yes, it

Understanding Body Language: Some Potential Signs of Aggression.

Jan. 23, 2019 by

.Kinesics: the study of body language We often say avoidance is the best self defense.  Avoiding involves being aware of signs of danger.  Vital to this is the developing field of kinesics. The body can indicate when a person is

Why is it Important to Vary and Develop Your Striking Combinations?

Jan. 11, 2019 by

As self-defense practitioners we all have our favourite striking combinations.  These are the ones we have frequently practiced and feel most confident performing.  Some people feel very comfortable punching but are less adept at kicking.  Others might want to rely

Holiday Travel: 6 Ways to Deter Home Break-ins While You are Away.

Dec. 23, 2018 by

Holidays offer many of us people an opportunity to travel.  Some Torontonians fly south to enjoy warmer climates (sadly missing some of our colder winter days).  A vacation offers a well-deserved break from the rigours of our daily lives.  It

4 Tips for Level Testing

Dec. 19, 2018 by

Testing can be an effective way to evaluate your progress and highlight what you need to work on.  To prepare for testing I suggest the following: Consistent training. Would you run a half marathon without training?  I did 15 years