Intuitive Defense Programs

:: Intuitive Defense: Create a safety zone for you and those you love. These skills do not take a lifetime to learn, you will walk away from your first class knowing you have begun building your own safety zone. By the end of your sixth week, you will have a sense of confidence that would normally take years of martial training to achieve.

Cut to the chase - BE SAFER NOW. These classes are taught in a 6-week series.

:: Available Presentations

:: Intuitive Defense Seminar: Designed as an overview of the 6 week course, this seminar can be custom tailored to the time allotted from a Lunch and Learn to a half or full day event. Attendees are provided with a mental tool box that they can use immediately in a fun, informative environment.

:: Training Series: The complete training series is 2 classes per week for 6 weeks with some very interesting and fun homework assignments. Don't worry, these are not essays, just practical application of the tools we learn in class.

:: Intuitive Defense FAQ's

Q - How can awareness protect you from danger?

A - There are many levels to a given threat. Let's simplify by using BEFORE, DURING and AFTER. Obviously AFTER is too late to react and DURING requires a higher level of skill to be successful. So, I suggest that BEFORE a threat is placed in motion is the time to react. If you are alert and trained to recognize problems early, most situations can easily and safely be avoided.

Q -What is Intuitive Defense?

A - Intuitive Defense is a state of being that allows your own primal survival instincts to come through as a first line of defense. Through concentration, focus and a calm mind our internal early warning system can be quite good at protecting us. Our training simply provides tools to allow your own instincts to resurface.

Q - Why is SimplyAware better?

A - SimplyAware places focus on preventative measures designed to avoid confrontation versus combat defense techniques. No fancy stuff. Just focused, quality instruction that can make a difference TODAY - Not after 5 to 7 years of diligent martial training. SimplyAware is about delivering timely, practical information to a large group of people in order to make our society a safer place to live.

Q - Why is a preventative approach to self defense better?

A - The best way to avoid being shot is to NOT BE THERE when the gun is put in motion. The best way to do that is to be aware of your surroundings and be trained to recognize potential threats before they are real. Simplyaware focuses on prevention, NOT reaction to situation. I would rather take the long way to my car if it means I will actually GET to my car safely. It seems simple but it is amazing how many students I have had that are completely enlightened by what I have to teach on this subject.

Q - Why do we need to be trained to be more alert or aware?

A - Each one of us was born with a set of survival instincts. As we move through life, our conscious mind takes over and life becomes incredibly complicated. Mortgages, children, stress at work, soccer games, girl scouts, busy schedules for everyone. Your mind is so busy prioritizing the day to day stuff that it becomes trained to ignore the warning signs.

Example: You are leaving a store in the evening and you see someone in the parking lot that does not appear to have a purpose at that moment. You intuition is there, you get a sinking feeling but you are late to get the kids, or making dinner so you bypass these senses and trudge on. Congratulations! You have just ignored an early warning system that could save your life!

Q - How does the Intuitive Defense Program work?

A - With proper training, heightened awareness becomes a tool, a lighthouse if you will, that can guide you into making smarter decisions about your safety. There is an author whom I respect greatly for his work - Gavin De Becker. He studied both the criminal and victim to shed light on our own "ignored" warning signs. Without fail, almost every victim he has interviewed ignored personal instincts, gut feelings, intuition PRIOR to the crime. That is absolutely not to say that the victim had it coming - NO WAY! But it does let us know that our primal instincts are alive and well if you just slow down for a second, and listen. Heightened Awareness Training provides some simple techniques and information designed to reacquaint us with our survival instincts. Knowledge is power.

Q - What about a stun gun or pepper spray? Would that not be effective against an attacker?

A - Maybe. In my training I have been hit with both and have to say that all it did was make me more determined. Defensive tools are fine when you are properly trained in their use AND you are given the time and distance to use them. I believe that weapons and combat techniques can be valuable as LAST lines of defense. Even with my training, I prefer to avoid a threatening situation, especially if I am with my family or in a crowd. There is never a cut and dry approach to street fighting - You don't know your opponent(s) and you can not train for every possible scenario. I am confident in my reflexes and training but I would prefer not to rely on them unless I have no choice. Intuitive Defense training can give you a choice.

Q - Why did the stun gun not drop you like in the TV ads?

A - Remember, I did not just stand there and take it - Nor will a predator. If it is a glancing shot or too short, it hurts but it will not drop you. PLUS, you have to make physical contact with the predator to even have a shot at taking him down. If he is wearing something thick, there is even less chance it will work. AND you have to make physical contact!

One important point, electricity does not care where the predator ends and you begin. If he has his hands around your neck when you stun him, you have just zapped yourself as well.

Q - What about pepper spray? Those have a stream that can shoot 5 or 6 feet, even more.

A - True, but again, they have to make significant contact with sensitive membranes like your eyes, mouth or nose to be effective. Anywhere else and it is a bit like getting nailed by a skunk. More of a nuisance than incapacitating. Besides, what if you are with your family and the predator is up wind? How would you like to have to defend yourself AND deal with a three year old that just got nailed with pepper spray. In my training classes, there are always one or two people that have a can of pepper spray with them - and it is usually 2 to 3 years past effective date.

Most pepper sprays have a shelf life. An expiration date is usually stamped somewhere on the can. Also, it is in a pressurized aerosol can. How many times have you gone out to the garage and picked up an old can of spray paint that has some paint in it but will not spray?

Q - What are some rules about defensive weapons?

A - With any defense tool you choose to carry, if you brandish it to a predator, be ready to use it or it will likely get used against you. Practice using it, learn everything you can about its effectiveness; range; best targets; effective distance. Especially with weapons, knowledge is power.

Q - After all your training and achievements in Martial Arts why have you created a passive approach to self defense?

A - In all my years of training and teaching I have noticed one thing, consistently. People are being led to believe that one weekend, one day or even one hour in a quality combat training seminar will serve to protect them from predators for the rest of their lives. That is simply untrue. The fact is that even with years of training and dedication, no one can be prepared for every possible scenario that can happen on the street. If, like me, your passion leads you toward martial training I encourage it but it should not be your first or only line of defense.

Q - You are a trained martial artist, why is that not enough?

A - Good hand to hand combat skills will get you out of a situation if the odds are in your favor. It is not a magic bullet. There are a million scenarios that would prove this point but suffice to say that there is one element of confrontation which will turn the tide on ANYONE. No matter what kind of training or self defense tools they carry. I cover this element in detail during my seminars.