Realistic Self Defense

Fully Understanding the Problem

So you want to learn to defend yourself. But what do you call success? You may survive an assault, but at the cost of sustaining debilitating injuries in training, an early death from bad health or fending off a jail sentence for excessive use of force? Crucial question: is it possible to learn self defense without any collateral damage? That is what most people really want.

Collateral Damage

Collateral Damage

Surprisingly, the solution to this very modern problem is addressed in practices that are sometimes thousands of years old: traditional martial arts. Actually, if you think about it, one should not be surprised at all. Human beings have always wanted to protect themselves against an attack, against illness and injury, and clearly minimize harm to others in the process. Traditional martial arts are practices that have been perfected over thousands of years to offer these comprehensive benefits.

Some current self defense systems don't offer the mental discipline of traditional martial arts, and focus on how to work with the inevitable adrenaline rush. But thousands of years ago in sword battles when death can occur at any instant, they found adrenaline reduces visibility and accuracy and leads to immediate death. In addition, long run health was impaired, injuries in training increased and over-reactions became the norm. Collateral damage increased. Mental discipline to overcome all fears is the only way.

Adrenaline in Self Defense
Comprehensive Solution

Comprehensive Solution

The founder of Aikido, for example, expressed this in his philosophy with one simple statement. He realized that "the true path of the warrior is love." While that may sound naive, understand that it comes from decades of hard training and facing the worst forms of violence from skilled opponents. Unlike the champions of MMA, he never lost, but often played with other top martial artists of his day like children. AFTER facing these challenges, he understood what really worked in self defense.

Complete Self Defense
Founder of Aikido vs. 7 Attackers

Think about it. When actions are based on love rather than fear, the body relaxes. Less adrenaline, avoiding harm to your training partners and eliminating overexertion all lead to improved health for yourself and your training partner. When self defense on the street begins with fully aware and street savvy love, more violence is avoided, which is the best outcome. When violence does occur in the absence of adrenaline, unnecessary force is far less likely to result. The collateral damage is eliminated.

In addition to self defense, health and peace, there are other side effects of traditional martial arts. For example, greater joy in life, more effectiveness in everything you do, being recognized as an upstanding member of society, focus, discipline, patience and perseverance, etc. Traditional martial arts offer a wonderful assortment of benefits in a tightly woven package. Other approaches that stripped out the philosophy and emphasis on health would do well to reintroduce them into their practice.
The Benefits your Seek

Key Benefits

Avoid Injuries

Better awareness & reflexes to avoid injuries due to accidents & falls.

Improve Health

Relax and exercise to turn back the clock of aging with Tai Chi, Yoga, Aikido.

Improve Relationships

Martial Arts are fundamentally the study of peaceful conflict resolution.

Self Defense

Martial arts lowers an already low chance of an attack and improves outcomes.

Explore the Options

While we only offer classes in Aikido & Tai Chi with Kung Fu, consider: There is no best martial art...only a best martial art for you. Which martial art best fits your disposition?

MMA - Widely popularized through TV, MMA is simply a vehicle to test any martial art in a restricted combat mode. The question is whether to study many styles loosely or one to two styles well.

Aikido - The martial art of peace. Discover how compassion is the source of strength as you use the opponent's force against them.

Tai Chi for health and self defense as well. Health benefits come through training as self defense.

Kung Fu - The original striking martial art. Sophisticated and diverse with many styles and an emphasis on striking.

Karate - Kung Fu migrated through the Okinawan Islands to mainland Japan as Karate. Emphasis on striking and sparring.

Taekwondo - the migration continued to Korea where Karate fused with indigenous Korean arts and is known for high kicks.

Judo was developed from many ancient styles of Jujitsu and turned into a sport. Emphasis is on throwing and submission grappling.

Jiu Jitsu - The original empty hand martial art of Japan was formed by the Samurai for self defense when unarmed. Over 1,000 years breeds many traditions.

Still Mind
Martial Arts & Yoga