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New Blog Post by Miss Parker: Request Backup
Read it here, and I hope you have a lovely day.
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Guest Blogger Miss Carrie!
http://www.txkrav.blogspot.com
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Miss Parker explains how to make a proper fist.
How to make a fist…
One of the first questions we often get from a new student is how to make a proper fist. Here's me in my backyard talking about it.
I have no idea why I look so mad in the first frame, or why I'm talking like a robot when my thumb is extended (??).
The book I reference, The Armored Rose by Tobi Beck is out of print, but you can get it used on Amazon. Its the only book I've ever read that discusses the inability of some people to make a fist with a flat top, but its not uncommon to have a student facing that situation. The most common explanation I hear is that the trainee has long fingernails, but I usually look to the bones in the hand for the answer first.
The doctor I talked to about it didn't know if it would damage the hand to hit with a fist made with one or two knuckles sticking up, as if you were frogging someone. If I can get a definitive answer from a hand specialist, I'll post their answer.
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Esme Barrera at Girls Rock Camp, July 2010 PHOTO BY SHELLEY HIAM
As Many As It Takes
Not a day has gone by since Esme Barrera's murder that she hasn't been the subject of a conversation, news or blog update, or Facebook post.
The man who killed Miss Barrera and assaulted at least one other woman New Year's Eve night is still at large. The following Saturday my free monthly women-only self defense class exploded - I walked out into the lobby of FnF after teaching a small intro class to see the lobby filled with over 50 new women. It blew my mind. Several other martial arts schools in Austin are also offering free women's classes, which is wonderful. The more people who train the better.
However...I read the text version of a KXAN news report a couple of days ago that was really cool, right up until the moment that it made my blood run cold.
There is a kung fu school in town offering 2 free months of free self defense classes to women. This is no small thing, as they have to pay an instructor, the light bill etc. The school rep was also giving some good advice and I was very happy reading the story until I read that they teach women you should only ever strike an attacker once and then run away. Grrr...
His larger point, which I agree with, is that it's not appropriate to increase the danger you're already in by standing there trying to beat the guy up if you have the opportunity to escape. This is true. Get the hell out of there and call the cops. It's the reason I run wildly out of class sometimes during a demonstration after I successfully defend against my "attacker".
What I strongly disagree with is the idea that you should assume that one punch will neutralize an attacker. Hey, maybe it will take one punch. That would be awesome. Maybe it will take 3 punches, 2 elbows to the face, and a strike to the groin. Maybe you can start shrieking like a banshee, as one of this fugitive's victims did, and he'll split. What I'm getting at is we have no idea what it will take to neutralize an attacker in some future unforseen attack!
I'm pretty much never the strongest or fastest person on the mat. Sad fact. But I'm certainly willing to keep trying if at first I don't succeed. So if I seriously wanted to harm someone and had the means and opportunity to do so, I really think it would take it would take more than one punch from most people to stop me. I'm not saying they couldn't stop me. Punching me in the face would certainly be a good start. Think how much more true this would be when trying to defend against someone bigger, stronger, and accustomed to violence.
Ultimately, I want to say this:
1) You CAN learn to defend yourself, but you must be willing to do whatever the situation requires, whether that's striking once and running, fighting like a demon, screaming, hiding, etc.
2) Please use your own brain when it comes to people telling you about self defense. If it doesn't sound right, ask for an explanation. It's not rude, just ask nicely. But ASK. And then try it out for yourself.
Look for new blog posts up by Parker! http://www.txkrav.blogspot.com
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New Blog Post by Parker
Check out the new entry, "Make a Change" on Parker's Blog! If there's anything you'd like to change in your life, here's one of the keys...http://www.txkrav.blogspot.com
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Mean Girls
New blog post by Miss Parker! You may not have known this was going on in Austin, but...
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The October Ladies Class is ON!
Come October 1st at 11:30 to the monthly Ladies-Only class! The class is open to non-members for free, so please bring a friend - it's a great intro to the self defense seminar coming on October 22. Think you can't do this stuff? You really can! Check out what this awesome woman did on Badass of the Week (a historically accurate & profanity-laden site): http://badassoftheweek.com/cochran.html
If Jacqueline C. can accomplish all that, you can learn to stay safe...see you Saturday!
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The Flip Side
New blog post by Miss Parker! Learn how to train harder and better by taking it down a notch.
http://www.txkrav.blogspot.com
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New Blog Post About the October Belt Tests!
Timely information about preparing for and taking the level 1 & 2 belt tests scheduled for October 8. Check it out! http://www.txkrav.blogspot.com
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Wheelchair Manifesto: New Blog Post from Miss Parker!
http://www.txkrav.blogspot.com/
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Shots FIred
Parker's new blog post is up, an exciting tale of nice ladies blowing stuff away with guns. An awesome way to spend a Sunday!
http://www.txkrav.blogspot.com
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Livin’ For the Weekend
As usual there is STUFF going on in Austin on the weekend.
For Kravists interested in methods of overcoming trauma, there's a free seminar this Friday at Castle Hill Fitness. I've never seen this guy, so I have no idea if he's going to teach some great coping skills or suck you up into an alien mothership, but if you're interested in this sort of thing, click here for more info.
Also, if you're female and you'd like to shoot a gun - and I certainly would - come join me in Liberty Hill this weekend to fire off some rounds at a women-only shooting seminar. Newbs are welcome!! For more info, check out my blog.
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Parker’s New Blog Post!
Parker's new blog post is up. Read here about a new drill you'll be doing next week in her class, and more face-meltingly awesome goings-on.
And check out her website at www.parkerwestbrook.com for more!
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I Glove U
New blog post up! Unsure of which kind of glove to get for class? Miss Parker is always willing to tell you what you ought to be doing. Click right here
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Ladies Only Class is ON for Saturday June 4!
Come learn to fight dirty this Saturday at 11:30. Women only, y'all!
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