Black Belt Mama

Post About Tubbies? Guest Post Must Follow

Last week I wrote about the Teletubbies.  Yes, the Teletubbies.  I hit an all time low (I still like them though, just shh, don't tell anyone).  Anyway, I started thinking about asking someone to guest post.  I mean, surely if I'm writing about the teletubbies, I could use some R & R. 

So, today I bring you a guest post by a Sandan (3rd degree black belt) in Okinawan Kenpo Karate and Kobudo.  He's also a student of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Kenjutsu (that's Japanese weaponry for the non-Japanese-knowing folk).  He also happens to be a former instructor and training partner, and a very good writer (if I do say so myself).  So read, relax, and enjoy.  Also, make sure you give him some love in the comments section when you're done (we just might be able to get him to start his own blog!!!).  I look forward to him joining us at our new school; but in the meantime, maybe he'll be hanging out here, at the BBM lair occasionally.  Now without further delay. . .

Jo: Weapon of Self-Defense for in the Home or at College
Matthew Apsokardu

Simplicity.  That’s what effective self-defense is all about.  In order to prepare ourselves for self-defense situations, we engage in a myriad of activities like creating action plans, increasing physical fitness, and practicing various techniques.  But in the end, it is instinct that we rely on most.  When instinct kicks in we utilize those actions which are most engrained in our psyche.  Because of that visceral, adrenaline pumping reaction, I believe the Jo is the best weapon for self-defense in the home or dorm room.

Let’s start off with a basic definition.  Generally speaking, the Jo is a four foot long wooden staff with no taper, as seen below –

Why is the Jo a good weapon for in the home?

The Jo is perfect for indoor use because it is an optimal length.  Weapons like the Rokushakubo (six foot Bo) are far too long and would get caught on ceilings, surrounding furniture, etc.  Furthermore, if an assailant breaking into your house manages to catch hold of the weapon, it would be difficult to generate a release, and by the time you figure something out, it’s too late.  Let’s take a quick look at length comparisons –

As I mentioned, the Jo is significantly shorter than the Bo, but it is also longer than all the other weapons.  An assailant wielding a short knife, machete, or baseball bat would be at an immediate length disadvantage.  Until you can get your bearings and regain control of your emotions, staying out of the range of your attacker is of utmost importance. 

Why use the Jo and not conventional weapons, like a gun or a knife?

The Jo is a better choice for various reasons.  Let’s examine a knife first.  The knife benefits from immediate cutting power and the fear it can instill in an attacker.  However, in order to do damage with the knife, you must be very close.  This can cause problems, especially if the attacker is stronger, faster, or has a longer weapon than you.  If you are the least bit hesitant in striking your target, he will bash you with punishing physical blows and will gain control of your weapon, turning it on you.  That being said, I do like the knife as a self-defense weapon. When used viciously, it can shred an opponent to ribbons.  However, you have to gauge your own capacities – are you ready to cut and stab another human being?

Another problem with the knife arises in dorm rooms.  If you are a student and keep a knife next to your bed or under your pillow, it had better not get discovered.  Not only will your hall mates become afraid and anxious, they might also get authorities involved.  You could be facing counseling, police attention, or more serious repercussions.  The Jo, however, is a completely nondescript piece of wood - it could hypothetically be part of a desk you never finished assembling, or a closet rod that you didn’t need.  No one will look twice as it rests unassumingly next to your headboard, and if a question does arise, there are plenty of good answers.

Now let’s look at Jo compared to a gun.  The main reason I favor the Jo is simplicity.  Most responsible homeowners keep there guns hidden away, unloaded, and with the safety on (especially if they have kids).  Even if you have a gun nearby, you have to consider your emotional readiness to use it, just like a knife.  For some people that’s no problem, but for most, the actual use of a gun results in hesitation and self-doubt.

Let’s just run a quick scenario.  You’re sleeping quietly in your room with your significant other lying next to you.  The door is about 6 feet away.  You hear the doorknob rattling and it brings you out of sleep into a groggy state.  Suddenly a black clothed man charges into the room…

…and now he is on you, striking you repeatedly. 

Did you have time to retrieve your gun, switch the safety off, cock it (if necessary), aim it, and then fire?  The same situation arises if the attacker is coming through the window.  Now what if you had a Jo resting by your head?  As the robber throws the door open you reach back and grab the Jo, and as he charges, you swing it, striking him in the head from four feet away.  He stumbles back and now you’re very awake.  You strike him in the hand so that he releases his weapon and then in the head again, knocking him out.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t own a gun or knife or anything like that, but the speed and distance of the Jo is ideal for situations that require quick reactions.  If you hear a noise a few rooms away and have a minute or two to prepare a firearm (and you’ve assessed your willingness to use it), then a gun is certainly useful; but it’s very risky to rely solely on that.

If we go back to dorm rooms, guns are completely unacceptable.  If you are found with a gun, the repercussions will be much worse than if you have a knife.  Consider another scenario - if you’re a woman in college, self-defense situations are very real.  One of your roommates might invite a couple of “friends” over for a party.  One of those male friends might decide he wants to take advantage of you. Being weaponless in this scenario is very undesirable.  Many women carry around small containers of mace, and that’s a good thing.  However, the problem of reaction time and adrenaline arises again.  If you are lucky enough to have the mace handy and not buried at the bottom of a book bag or purse, you have to point it in the right direction, make sure the safety mechanism is disengaged, and then fire into your attacker’s eyes (hoping it doesn’t get into your eyes as well).  That’s a lot of contingencies. 

An attack like this will likely occur on or near your bed.  If you have a Jo sitting by your headboard, your attacker will unexpectedly receive a quick strike to the face, followed by one to the groin, before he gets a chance to put his hands on you and overpower you.  Or if he is already on top of you, all you need is that one free hand to reach up, grab the Jo, and bash the butt-end of it into his face, leaving you with room to strike him further as he reels back.

Other Reasons to Like the Jo

Versatility.  Tack that onto simplicity.  The Jo can be used in a wide swinging motion, or a thrusting motion, or a throwing motion, and both ends can be utilized.  No matter how you grab the Jo, it’s ready for action.  Furthermore, it is more inherently useful than other martial art weapons.  The Sai, Tunfa, Kama, etc. all have a higher learning curve.  With just a little bit of training, the Jo can be nightmare for any attacker.  Finally, the Jo is not a risk to children in your household.  Far too often we hear about accidents where young ones cut or shoot themselves.

Get a Jo Today

You don’t have to go to Japan to get a Jo, just Home Depot.  They sell dowel rods for four dollars that are cut almost exactly to four feet.  Select a dowel that is at least one inch in diameter, and check the wood for any cracks or knots.  Buy some sandpaper too.  When you get it home, sand down the ends so that they are rounded, then sand the entire staff.  If you can find a competent instructor who is familiar with Jo, try to include it in your training.  At night, leave the Jo resting by your headboard, and if you are going to college or have kids that are, be sure to send them off with one.

Matthew Apsokardu can be contacted at mapsokardu@gmail.com.

Speaking Up

Two weeks ago, my husband and I took our guest for the weekend to the Musik Fest that happens every summer.  The Musik Fest is awesome, featuring many national and international recording artists.  Many of the performances are free.  There are things for everyone to do, including music for the kids. We had a great time; but the music isn't really what I want to tell you about. 

As my friend and I were walking through the crowds, we noticed a lot of military men.  They were all walking around in their uniforms in 90 degree weather, yet they looked flawless in their appearance.  I have always been a sucker for a man in a uniform, so as we walked by a couple of these guys, I leaned over to my friend and told her that every time I see a military man or woman, I just want to go up to them, and thank them for all they do for this country.  She agreed and told me I should.

At the next tent, we stopped to listen to a performer.  There were three army guys sitting in front of me.  When the performer was finished, I leaned forward, said "Excuse me" and then went on to thank them for all that they do for this country.  I told them I didn't think that they heard it enough, so I wanted to let them know how much my family and I appreciate them. 

The first guy looked me in the eyes and nodded slowly as I talked to him.  He looked touched that I had chosen to say that to him and his friends.  His friend, standing behind him, looked completely shocked.  When I was finished with my little speech, they both nodded and quietly said "thank you" and it was obvious they really meant it.  I can't tell you how good it made me feel to be able to tell them how much I appreciate them and their service.  If you haven't thanked a military man or woman, I highly recommend you take the time to do so if you happen to come across one. 

If you'd like to do something more proactive, you can email military men and women through this site.  Here, you'll be paired up pen pal style with a service man or woman.  You can also go here to email a soldier a thank you.  If you'd like to send supplies to Iraq for school children (facilitated by our military men and women), you can find more info on how to do that here. 

Our leaders make political decisions, but our soldiers are just doing their jobs and being paid next to nothing for what they do.  They deserve our support and thanks.  If the mood moves you, please click on one of the links above and help to make their day.      

Everything you need to know about self defense, you can learn from my 14-month old

If you missed the first installment of Baby Self Defense moves, you can check it out here.  Oh, how her repertoire has grown.  While Big I gradually gets more and more interested in the martial arts, I've been getting the feeling that Lil C is not going to need any prodding to put on a gi and kick some butt.  In fact, she's been kicking some serious derriere around our household for quite some time now and her moves only seem to improve with time. 

And now, without further delay, I present to you Lil C's latest self-defense moves:

Bite 'Til They Cry

One only needs to take a brief glance at my shoulder right now to see the type of damage that little teeth can do.  We're now up to nine teeth, with at least three more in the immediate future, and my arms are proof that Lil C has mastered the pinch bite.  This technique is not the type of bite where one aims to take out a chunk of something.  This bite clenches down and grabs only a teeny tiny bit of skin between the top and bottom teeth before biting down with everything she's got.  INSTANT AGONY is what results.  (I am seriously considering wearing shoulder pads.)

Lead with your Head Butt

There is nothing more disorienting than a surprise direct hit from a toddler noggin.  From across the room, she'll look unsteady and unsure of her direction, but once she knows her target, it's an all out sprint as she leads with her head and makes contact at key areas on the head and face.  The cheek bones are particularly vulnerable, as is the tip of the nose and the mouth.  Of course, a direct hit to the forehead can be equally punishing and Lil C knows this and knows it well.

Bladder Stomp Kick

In karate training there is a stomp kick.  It's usually used as a distraction before getting out of choke holds, wrist grabs, etc.  The stomp kick is exactly what it sounds like and is used on key spots on an attacker's foot.  But Lil C has discovered something far more disturbing than a traditional stomp kick.  She has perfected her technique so much that she can even do this while sleeping.  (I know, I know, take a moment to catch your breath.)  There are two scenarios where this move works particularly well for her:

1. Lil C usually makes her way into our bed sometime between 4 and 6 am each night.  But sleeping in the traditional way is not her thing.  She prefers to put her feet at the head of the bed, which puts her in perfect positioning for the Bladder Stomp Kick.  Then something from the depths of her sleep tells her it's time to attack and she pulls both of her legs straight up into the air, pulling them back towards her head to get even more leverage, before she lets them drop with full force onto the nearest fullest bladder.  This move also works on floating ribs, and a stomp kick to the nose or eyeball is a sure way to elicit fear as well.
2. The second scenario where this stomp kick is particularly useful is when getting her diaper changed.  Lil C waits until the old diaper has been removed and then she pulls her legs and feed up as in scenario 1.  But instead of just one drop of those little lead legs, multiple kicks are dealt out in a rapid fire fashion.  Blows can be felt on the legs, knees, and arms of the person changing the diaper.  If proximity allows, Lil C can also deliver the classic Bladder Stomp Kick.  If Mr. BBM happens to be changing her diaper at the time, a cup is advisable. 

Yes, the Bladder Stomp Kick can be quite painful, but nothing compares to Lil C's next move.

Nose Destroyer

Have you laughed while drinking soda lately?  Do you know what it feels like to laugh so hard that the soda goes up your nose and causes severe burning and discomfort?  What if I told you there was a way to do that without a need for soda?  Have I got your attention?  Because Lil C certainly got mine with this signature move. 

This move comes across as an ordinary slap to the face, but the key to the destruction is in the little fingers that are delivering the slap.  Lil C has perfected the art of slapping at just the right angle that she can simultaneously slap you while scratching your brain via your nose.  I have never had a nose bleed in my life until Lil C pulled this move on me one day.  The blood, the pain. . . you get the idea.

So for all of you searching for self defense techniques that work in real life, if a toddler can pull these off, so can you.  Good Luck.

Everything you need to know about self defense, you can learn from my 6-month old

It has become abundantly clear in the last few weeks, that Lil C was taking some serious mental notes while in utero.  She paid special attention during the many karate classes I attended while pregnant, and seems to have developed her own "action plans" in order to deal with potential threats, i.e. tickling family members.  She has taken your basic self defense and turned it into a form of baby karate that I dare anyone to try to escape.  She is downright wicked; and since she can't really speak for herself as of yet, I'll help her out.  The following are her signature moves:

Ear-drum-shattering scream

When in the vicinity of an ear, emit sound from mouth that can only be described as deafening.  Potential attacker (or tickler) will immediately forget his/her name and what he/she was doing in order to promptly cover ears and/or take cover, preferably in a sound proof room. 

Drown them in Drool

No one can escape the endless rivers of baby drool that occur on any given day.  But, get a certain baby excited and simple drool turns into bubbles and cascades of wetness that can serve as an oil-like slick to deter attacker/tickler from even approaching.  If attacker/tickler is close enough, a hand full of that drool right in the eye will serve to "blur" the situation and disorient your attacker further. 

The Quadruple Threat

If attacker/tickler gets within striking distance, hair pulling is always a great option. There are several ways to invoke pain and suffering with hair pulling.  One technique is to grab only a small number of hairs (three or four works quite well).  Before grabbing this hair, it is preferable to have enough drool in ones hand so that it will create a sort of gooey glue that adheres to the hair of choice, making a bond more efficient than even crazy glue.  Another hair pulling technique is to grab at the roots.  The best grabbing is done by reaching far apart with all fingers, then really digging in to those roots, followed by forming a fist around the root hairs.  If creativity is lacking, just grabbing a handful in any old fashion will work.  Once you have the hair in hand, proceed to pull at unpredictable intervals.  If possible, bring the fists of hair to your mouth, thus rendering attacker/tickler unable to dislodge their hair from the grips of drool and fists of fury. 

Now, everyone knows that this is called the "quadruple threat" and there are only two hands mentioned so far.  The other two threats come from sticky little baby feet.  If one can obtain hair and succeed in pulling attacker/tickler close in to the mouth area, it only makes sense to raise up those little feet of yours, spread those toes wide and grab more hair.  You now have four points of attack, thus rendering your attacker/tickler incapacitated completely, and in some serious pain.  Keep in mind, that if you are able to land just one of these threats, you will succeed; but for each successive appendage involved in the assault, you will multiply your success ten-fold. 

The Skin Grab

This works best on arm and leg skin.  An especially good location is the skin on the back of the arm, just inches from the armpit.  The technique is much like in the quadruple threat.  Use those sticky baby hands and grab some skin.  Proceed to squeeze, twist, and if not recently trimmed, use those baby nails to really dig in.  Incapacitation will occur within seconds. 

This skin grab also works with the nose.  Grab attacker/tickler's nose tightly and twist.  If you can jam a finger in the entrance of the nostril while doing this technique. . . bonus points.

The Eye Gouge

Nothing says, "I'm sick of listening to you reading this book to me," like a nice stubby baby finger to the eye.  Make sure that your movement is swift and unsuspected for ultimate impact. 

Remember, that while you are still little and deliciously adorable, these techniques will be viewed as "cute."  If you can complete these actions with a smile on your face or emit a giggle-like glee from your mouth while implementing your attack, your victim will never see it coming; and the attack will be that much more successful. 

Good luck!

Hammer Time

My neighbor learned just how weird I was last year when she was helping me hang pictures on the walls.  Instead of going to the basement to retrieve my hammer, I went right to my bedroom.  My hammer was located beside my bed, propped against my nightstand with the handle end up.  Hanging pictures in my room and felt too lazy to take the hammer back downstairs to be with its tool friends?  No, the hammer was placed there strategically, much in the same way that a police officer places a gun in his/her holster.

The hammer wasn't missing its tool friends either.  Some random plumbing tool was keeping it company along with the wrapping paper under my bed. Its purpose?  Well, my action-plan-demented-brain figured that any person who would break in my house in the middle of the night would go to the master bedroom.  That's where the goods are right?  Potential items of interest for bad person: Adult who might try to stop robbery, potential jewelry and other valuables, money (which let me just save you some time as in, not, because I have about 30 cents in my possession at any given time.)  Don't believe me?  Ask my mom who is constantly buying me lunch when we go out and always getting the tip too.  Want a couple pennies to throw in the fountain?  Sure, got that, but anything beyond that is pretty much not happening. 

Anyway, back to the action plan. . . I'm sleeping, someone comes into my bedroom.  I hear them and casually drop my arm down the side of my bed. . . and in one broad swooping swing, I no longer have a problem.  Bad person. . . does.

This action plan was formulated courtesy of the job that kept my husband traveling an insane amount of the time.  He was gone so often that I would occasionally wake up in the middle of the night, convinced there was someone breaking in, go retrieve my sleeping daughter from her bed, place her in my bed, and lock the bedroom door behind us.  I may or may not have pushed furniture in front of that door.  I know.  It's a little crazy, but I needed to sleep.  Without the action plan process already in motion there would be no sleep. 

So, my neighbor got a laugh from my strategic tool placement; and I got a good nights sleep.  The hammer made that possible.  I love hammers, which is why when my neighbor emailed me the link to this story, about a girl who used a hammer to fight off her kidnapper, I knew it was a girl after my own heart. 

http://www.nbc17.com/news/8186167/detail.html  Is she amazing or what?

The arsenal of basement tools has since been returned to the basement; but the bedside protection still remains in the form of wooden nunchaku.  Oh, and an alarm system that I insisted on having installed since my attack cats are always on the fritz. 

 

Action Plans

Some might call it a form of mental illness.  Perhaps it is; but I call it being prepared.  For as long as I can remember, (and more so since I've become a Mommy,) I've had in my head what my family and I lovingly refer to as "action plans."  Action plans are simply this: pre-thought out "actions" that will occur in certain situations including, but not limited to things like:

• an unsolicited knock at the door by trench-coat-wearing-petitioners, sales persons, or religious zealots, in which case the scenario is pretty much the same as a fire as in, "Stop, Drop, and Roll" (to the nearest wall where one can not be seen or heard under any circumstances by someone standing at the front door and stay there for at least five minutes or until Mommy gives the "all clear."

Or

• a dog loose in the neighborhood while we play outside (Action Plan would be to elevate the children in any way possible, such as placing the kids on top of a car or preferably a mini-van (if the adrenalin is pumping enough) while Mommy fends off the dog with yet-to-be-learned karate vs. dog techniques until children can be brought safely inside or dog is somehow contained.)

They've been a constant source of entertainment for my husband and mom, as in "What would you do if 'x' happens?" It only takes me a second to get going because in some form or another, I've already thought them out and thoroughly, Jack Bauer style. Got a wrench to throw into my plan mid stream, as in unsolicited team of sales persons are now at both front and back doors? Bring it on; I've got the answers.  My family is always shocked to hear me answer without hesitation in explicit detail about how I would deal with virtually any situation.  While they laugh, I'm streamlining my action plan for possible implementation.  I'm quite serious about them, and am rarely caught without an executable plan.

This is how they come about.  I see something on the news or in a TV show that gets in my head. Maybe it will be something about how unsuspecting children were playing when a swarm of bees attacked, or maybe it will be something more sinister. Either way, I come up with a series of events that would take place if said terrible thing would happen to me.  I know, it's a little crazy; but it makes me feel better knowing I'm prepared for anything, and that's all that really matters. 

When I was pregnant for the second time, my action plans were in overdrive.  So much so, that when a young pregnant woman was attacked in the Midwest by some crazy loon who wanted her baby, I went to karate that week and asked my instructor to please teach me immediately how to fend off a knife attack.  My instructors are happy to feed the frenzy of my action plans. One instructor spent an hour teaching me all the different ways to get away from someone with a knife.  His shoulder was recovering at the time from an injury; and in one overly energetic move, I fended off the rubber knife and simultaneously did something to his shoulder that sounded like a twig snapping.  He walked it off; I felt terrible. But I found out it worked and the lesson continued. . .at a little bit slower pace. 

At my local grocery store, a woman was forced into her own car with a gun at her back by two armed men and driven around the city for hours before finally being released unharmed. I immediately developed a plan of attack for such an occurrence should that ever happen to me.  That week, a pregnant me learned the fine art of swinging my elbows in the style of "Eww, back off, I so do NOT want to dance with you" to move a gun trajectory out of the way of important parts like, oh say, my head, chest, etc. and I felt much better about going to the grocery store again. 

The truth is, I am so hyper aware when I am out in public or even in my own yard that the likelihood of some stupid criminal deciding that I am a worthy target is probably slim to none.  It just wouldn't be worth their while to attack someone who is so vigilant and constantly paying attention to her surroundings.  And if they did decide to attack, well, let's just say that I already know that I don't freeze up when someone attacks me.  I've been there in the past and the recipient of my wrath was not a very happy camper (and that was pre-karate).

It doesn't matter if you are 5'2", 90 lbs. and your attacker is 6'8" 280 lbs.  I've learned that you may not be able to overpower your attacker in the traditional sense; but there are so many cool untraditional ways to make your attacker beg for mercy.  I am 5'9"; my husband is 6'3".  He's also got me by about 60 lbs.  (Oh, you totally thought I was going to give our weights, didn't you! So not EVER going to happen, especially with mine, and now that you have the formula, Mr. B minus 60=me. . .I'll never tell you Mr. B's either so just get it out of your head). Anyway. . .

I often come home from karate all keyed up with what I've learned that evening and with school girl excitement tell my husband, "Come on, grab me in a bear hug," or "Grab my arm like this."  Usually, he obliges so quickly that I have to stand there for a few seconds and collect my butt-kicking thoughts before I work my moves.  Sometimes they work; sometimes they don't.  Sometimes he's hurting a bit; sometimes I pull a muscle or break a nail.  But a few weeks ago I learned something very cool that will work on anyone. . .

All you need is one finger.  Add to that one very unnatural angle to bend it, and you've got a winner.  All you need is one finger to have someone begging for mercy.  It totally works, and that one finger is just one of the reasons why I LOVE going to karate class each week.  It's empowering and confidence building. What bad guy ever thinks you're going to take his pinky, or any finger for that matter, and have him begging for his mama? 

None, and that is precisely why it works . . . (at least against my husband).