Reverse Craigstlist software can produce incredible results. The ability to literally pull hundreds to thousands and thousands of targeted leads in a matter of minutes by mining info from postings on craigslist. This very simple to use reverse craigslist software can provide a chance to quite literally drive you company to the next higer level. You just pick what marketplace you are interested in as well as specific geographic areas, then push a button, sit back, and watch the leads come in. After this you then are able to mail a sales letter directly to this list or save, export, manage them, and more. There are different versions and brands of reverse craigslist software as well as data mining software nowadays. Check out this version for one of the most reasonably priced and easy to use reverse craigs list software on the market period. If you need leads, find qualified leads, and very tergeted leads, you will want to check out the best reverse craigs list software available.
That is one of the reasons when your Fort Worth home inspection services from TexInspec has been completed, you you will be furnished with A Free 90-Day Termite and Carpenter Ant Warranty, an instant computer generated report which is printed on site which will include a summary page of repairs as well as a color photo journa of your new property, and a copy is e-mailed directly to your agent immediately from the inspection
“Coping With the Joys of Home Ownership,” which was written for local homebuyers to help with understanding thier new homes is also provided.
You need a Fort Worth home inspection company which is knowledgeable about Dallas homes but who also makes sure you are informed properly to help you in making the best decision possible.
Mixed martial arts wear, mma gear, mma gear online, mma sparring gear, mma workout clothes, and mma gear are just some of the streegnths of HouseOfPain. http://www.houseofpain.com boasts top of the line as well as the best mma equiptment, mma clothing, and all of the gear and apparel that you would expect on the street, in the gym, or in the ring. Our website not only features the greatest in gear, clothing, apparel, annd workout gear, you can browse our lifting and fighting news segments, our in the gym section, other information, events, and links as well as news in the mixed martial arts and weightlifting.

A lot of martial arts people don’t like to hear this but, the real difference between those who win street fights and those who lose street fights…has less to do with knowing every self defense skill, technique and “style” in the world…and more to do with having a simple “game plan” in place before the fight even begins.

Here’s what I mean by that:

In sports — especially professional sports — games do not get won by “chance.” A point scored, a goal made, distance taken, or a finish line crossed, happens by means of a game plan by either a player or team.

And it’s no different when you’re out on the street fighting for your life.

Fact is, inexperienced fighters will “just fight” and throw caution to the wind…while experienced fighters — even if they haven’t learned a lot of specific self defense “skills” — will have a game plan mapped out before the fight starts.

A game plan to win in the quickest, most effective way possible. Every move and reaction has a specific purpose and nothing is left to chance.

And, thus, they will almost always win fights. Even against people with more martial arts skills, talent and ability.

So let me ask you, what’s your game plan if you get attacked?

Do you know what you’d do if you were jumped on the street tomorrow?

What if someone pulls a knife on you? What if some doped-up lunatic tries to grab your wife or girlfriend? What if an entire pack of gang-bangers, full of hate and rage, corners you in an ally?

These thing happen all the time to people all over the world.

But when you have a game plan for the most common scenarios (like the ones above) your chances of getting away in one piece go up dramatically.

On the other hand, if you don’t have a game plan in place then, no matter how “tough” you are, skilled you are or fast you are…you’re going to be in some serious trouble.

You know, when I first started learning how to protect myself, the training was almost entirely focused on the memorization and performance of the technique. What I mean is…

…the lessons revolved around the step-by-step mindset. Even testing was centered around the correct “performance” of the technique in question. But, that performance was tied more to duplicating a string of “moves” than it was on…

…the successful resolution of the situation based on what was going on!

I remember a friend of mine during those days. He was very good at the art that we were studying and much further along than I was at the time.

He was testing for his black belt and everything was going well. His “performance” was flawless -at least as far as I could tell.

Then, during the last part of the final kata (’preset fight scenario’), he changed the move from a strike to a shoulder throw. The throw was awesome and his partner never saw it coming. It was great!

He told me later that, everything was going along as it should be and he knew what was to come next but…

…something was “off” with what his partner was doing with that last punch.

He literally “found himself” executing the throw, and remembered thinking, “this isn’t right.”

Well, long story short…

…he failed that test.

I couldn’t believe it. According to the judges - the panel of “experts” who were supposedly teaching him to be able to “go with the flow” and defend himself… He failed!

He took a surprise situation, adapted to it, and still maintained control of the flow of things in a way that ended with him being the victor.

“Yes”, said the judges, many of whom were our instructors, “that’s true. But he didn’t do the technique correctly.”

This was one of the most significant moments of my life. When I realized that, the reason I was there for training - to not die in a situation - was not the focus of the training…

…at least NOT at that school.

Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and director of Warrior Concepts International in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. He is the author of the “Foundations of Self-Defense Mastery” eCourse, which is available free of charge to subscribers of his self defense newsletter. You can subscribe to the newsletter at: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/newsletter-subscribe-self-defense.html He is also the creator of the EDR: Non-Martial Arts Defensive Training Program, author of the book, “The Karate-Myth” as-well-as the powerful, “Danger Prevention Tactics” video. Additional information is available by visiting http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com

Pre-WWII Judo was a far different thing than what we see now.

The Japanese in particular, being on a global war footing, practiced a type of Judo that has little in common with the “sport” of today.

Japanese “bujin” particularly those situated in China during this period had to be the BEST they could be. The Japanese police were renowned for having among their ranks many of the top Judoka.

The Japanese presence in Shanghai insured that the quality of Judoka practicing there was of the highest caliber. Shanghai during this period was a volatile, beguiling and dangerous place.

Into this mix comes a young Irishman named Dermot Michael O’Neil. He joins the SMP in 1925 at age twenty. He rises in rank, secures a respected position on the SMP Riot Squad, is recognized as a protégé’ of W.E. Fairbairn and earns a reputation as a “good” man in a dust up. Besides his recruit training and his assignment under WEF on the Riot Squad, he becomes a dedicated devotee of Japanese and Chinese combatives, especially Kodokan Judo.

He becomes an acknowledged expert, a true expert, proven both on the tatami of various “dojo” and on the streets of Shanghai. He trains under some of the BEST native Japanese sensei available. He travels to mainland Japan testing his skill in shiai and randori, often winning against some of Japan’s best. He trains diligently at the Kodokan. Becomes a protégé’ of the famed Uchijima Sensei, a master of Judo, in particular “newaza” or ground grappling. He gains a working practical knowledge of Judo, Jujutsu, Karate, Chinese Boxing and who knows what else. In 1938 he leaves the SMP after 13 years service and heads up the security detachment for the British Legation in Tokyo. He serves in this position for two years. Living and training in Japan, access to the BEST of his time (and ours too probably)!

FAST FORWARD…

The world is at war. The Allied powers against the Axis of Evil. O’Neil is now in the US, seconded to the OSS, working under WEF. A new “commando” unit is being formed headed by a man named Fredericks. This composite group of assault raiders matches US and Canadian forces under the banner of the FIRST SPECIAL SERVICE FORCE. They will become LEGEND!

Then Colonel Fredericks contacts General Donovan of the OSS and requests WEF’s services in training these troops. Fairbairn recommends D.M. “Paddy” O’Neil. O’Neil accepts and goes a step further……He just doesn’t “train” these men, HE JOINS THEM!

O’Neill gave great thought to the needs of these special troops as it related to close quarters combat. He was instrumental in developing the V-42 Fighting Knife. But it was the “system” of close combat he devised that was his genius!

The entire O’Neill system as taught then is little known today. But suffice to say that this method was a blend of tactics, strategy and physical combatives that was astounding, and PROVED EFFECTIVE in REAL COMBAT countless times.

Now this isn’t about the nuts and bolts of the O’Neil method.
The point is this: With ALL of O’Neill’s experience and expertise the method he devised for all intents and purposes was devoid of any Judo or grappling like techniques (and remember the Forces initial contact with the enemy was to be the Japanese). JUDO WAS HIS FORTE. Why? Because he perfectly knew and understood what the mission of the 1st SSF was all about. He tailored the training to address needs as would be faced in REAL COMBAT by these troops!

O’Neill’s logic and genius is evident in the complete method (not just dribs and drabs from various FM’s and TM’s). But more importantly what lessons are to be garnered from this? What can be learned? WHY did O’Neil chose the methods and tactics (more important than the technique) that he did?

Without a doubt O’Neil knew his business and knew it well. So why? That’s the question. And what will the answer teach US, now?

Copyright 2003 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com©

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement and military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl’s ranks and honors.
Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsu
Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle
Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)
Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada
Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki
Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu
Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson
http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

So what exactly are basics? To most karateka basics means standing in line performing simple techniques (punches, kicks and blocks).

There’s more to it than that. Basics are your fundamental skills. They provide the foundation for all your studies - how to stand, how to move, how to generate power, what targets to hit, what weapons (hand and foot positions) you can use, how to read an opponent’s intentions, how to breathe, stay healthy, relaxed and of course learn the fundamental techniques of striking, locking, throwing, kicking and stance work.

Line work isn’t basics. Line work is drilling techniques. There’s a problem with line work in that you cannot learn your basics in an efficient and natural way. The origins of line work are in the Japanese military where large groups of people were learning how to react to orders.

I found that beginners have difficulty with line work. They are expected to get into a stance and hold their arms in a certain position then move in a particular way. Why does it take 3 months to learn a handful of basics and a couple of kata for your next belt. You can learn a kata in a couple of hours. The reason is simple - inefficiency.

It takes a while to become accustomed to traditional karate movement which isn’t the same movement you perform when out walking, dancing or working. So why do it? Times have to change. Line work is no longer suited to skill development especially with advances in sports science and biomechanics.

At our dojo we learn basics working with a partner in a freestyle environment so students can clearly see what is happening. We make use of focus mitts and other equipment so new students begin with actually hitting things. Progress is much better than the old way and when they come to learn their traditional karate movements and kata they already understand the applications and the mechanics of the techique. The approach means they learn the best angles for working each technique. They get the body movement, entry points through the opponent’s guard and control of timing and distance.

We then progress to kata, applications, 2-person drilling and push hands, then onto freestyle practice and attack/defence sparring. We will shortly be introducing scenario sparring where one partner is, say, limited to grappling and another is limited to striking, or we start from on the ground with the aim of one partner being to stand up while the other prevents him.

You can chop and change your partner work and sparring formats to suit different environments. There aren’t really advanced skills, just fundamental skills with different levels of understanding - which, to newer students appear to be “advanced” in the sense that they are moving towards greater understanding.

“That’s not traditional karate!” I hear you cry. Well, if traditional karate is nothing more than marching about in lines that’s fine you can keep it. The only traditions worth maintaining are the ones that evolve and grow with the times.

But it begins at Day 1. No more “stand at the back and follow as best as you can.” Invest in some good focus mitts (I’ve just discovered the joys of training with Thai pads too!), hang a kick bag and get on with it.

Stephen Irwin

http://www.totalgoalsetting.com

When most people think about martial arts and self-esteem, they probably think about the benefits for children. It is true that children do show increased self esteem when they train martial arts, but it is also true that adults can experience the same effects. Training martial arts can increase self-esteem in many ways for many people.

HERE’S HOW:

MENTAL OBSTACLES

Training martial arts can help you overcome mental obstacles – including self-doubt and a lack of confidence. As you progress through the different levels, you will soon be able to conquer self-doubt and other overwhelming feelings as you start to build mental awareness of your mind/body connection. Becoming physically able to reach a goal is connected with your mental ability to take your body where you want it to go.

SELF-CONTROL

Martial arts help you build your self-esteem because you get to move at your own pace and succeed individually. Earning belts will give you a sense of accomplishment. They also teach you how to set goals and give you the confidence to reach these goals. Martial arts also teach self-respect and respect for others and give you the sense of relief that you will be able to defend yourself if you need to. Having these skills will give you an all-around confidence in yourself and your abilities.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

Your physical abilities are also tied to your self-esteem. You will also feel fit and notice an increase in your strength. Feeling good about yourself physically will also carry over into other parts of your life – you will start feeling good about yourself as a whole. In addition to that, your increased coordination will help you do well in other areas as well, whether you choose to take part in another sport or even if you want to coach your child’s sports team.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT:

FOR CHILDREN:

The benefits of increased self-esteem for children are almost endless. Children with high self-esteem do well in school, are less likely to take drugs and are more likely to stay out of trouble. Training martial arts will also teach children how to maximize their potential by setting and reaching goals and by giving them the confidence to be persistent and to be positive role models for their peers.

FOR ADULTS:

Many adults could also use a boost of self-esteem. This boost can help them do well in their jobs, to be more relaxed at home and to be able to take more healthy risks. Adults with high self esteem are able to maximize their potential by setting and meeting goals and by being persistent. They are also more likely to take on leadership roles whether on the job or in volunteer opportunities.

Of course, one of the key components to being able to build your self-esteem (or your child’s) is to find a great instructor at a great school. Instructors need to be ready to give guidance and positive reinforcement while they nurture their students and guide them through their programs. Why not give it a try? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Sincerely,

Robert Jones
Master Instructor
6th Degree Black Belt
Owner, the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts

Mr. Robert Jones runs three successful martial arts schools located in Bellevue, Lynnwood, and Kent Washington. He has been helping families make positive changes in their lives through martial arts for over 20 years. He has also written two guides on how to pick a martial arts school. One for adults and one for parents wanting to pick the right school for their children. He can be reached at martialadvice@hotmail.com or at the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts. 800-508-6141.

Since kendo is fencing based on the samurai, it requires a katana (samurai sword). However, it is not practical to use a real katana: people would die. Instead, kendoka use shinai A shinai is composed of four flat bamboo pieces. The bamboo is held together with leather and string. The string keeps the two leather pieces together. Shinai can be bought at specialized kendo stores, like E-Bogu. E-bogu is known to be one of the BEST sites to buy shinai and other kendo equiptment from. The majority or kendoka buy their equiptment from E-Bogu. Kendo, Kumdo, Kenjutsu, kendo bogu The kendo shinai must be properly taken care of or else it will pose a danger to both you and your opponent. It must be checked for splinters and oiled regularly. This helps keep the shinai from breaking and sending razor sharp shrapnel into you and your opponents faces. Its string must also be kept tight. This is to keep the top from slipping off and making the shinai go through your opponents men. When you first recieve your shinai, you should take it apart and sand the edges, this helps the wooden slats move smoothly against one another. You should then properly oil it using either lemon oil, vegetable oil, or shinai oil. If you think your shinai is damaged or not safe, do NOT use it and tell your sensei. Help keep your dojo safe for everyone

International-Kendo.com is an up and comming web site for information about Kendo, Kumdo, and Kenjutsu

“Martial Arts or Karate may not be a good fit for my daughter.”

We are living in the 21st century, and I still hear this one. This kind of thinking is what has been holding women back for centuries. This statement is not only made by fathers, but by mothers, too. If your daughter wants to try martial arts, let her have a chance. Martial arts classes for girls, or women, are very rewarding.

Over the years, I have coached successful female martial arts competitors who were every bit as good as their male counterparts. In the past, our kids’ karate demonstration team had female captains. At one point, we had more girls on the demonstration team than boys.

Lately, we have hit the opposite cycle, with more boys than girls, as the kids from our kids’ Karate demonstration team perform around the Providence, Rhode Island area. However, girls learn faster, understand precision, can easily grasp complicated techniques, and are usually better kickers.

Some grappling arts, such as Jujitsu, are not as popular with girls, but I have coached good female grapplers, as well. There is no reason to stop your daughter from learning martial arts, if she shows an interest. All of the life skill benefits such as, goal setting, self esteem, self discipline, success, and self defense, make martial arts training as important for girls as it is for boys.

“How can I justify the cost of Karate?”

When you consider that many Karate schools charge less than a babysitter, martial arts training for children is a “bargain.” Consider this formula based upon a fairly high priced Karate studio. Most martial arts studios, in the United States, average around $70 per month to train a child. Granted, some are more and some are less, but let’s look at your price per hour, if you paid $100 per month.

That comes to just $25 per week, and many Karate studios have a three class limit per week for children. That comes to $8.33 per session for your child to learn life skills, self defense, and play with good kids in a safe environment. Martial arts, for children, are a formula for success, and the cost is really, “peanuts.”

Most well behaved children are allowed to take more Karate classes. The children who “run the staff ragged” will be reminded of the weekly limit. So, the truth is the real cost may be less than peanuts, since there are plenty of martial arts schools, including our center in North Providence, Rhode Island, that charge far less than $100 per month.

Using the formula mentioned above, the cost of Karate per class for a martial arts school, charging the national average of $70 per month, comes to $5.83 per session. Did I say martial arts training is a bargain? Maybe I should have said martial arts training is a steal.

The alternative to plug kids into the television, and put a joystick in their hands, is a big mistake. It’s not any cheaper, when you consider the cost of games and the ever changing video game formats.

On top of that, here’s what video games do for kids: Create anxiety, destroy social skills, teach them a lot about violence, and waste most of their time. All you need to do is throw a Big Mac in their lap every night, and within a year, you should have a child who is a nervous wreck, with poor communication skills, and an obesity problem.

Over the long-term, the wrong after school activities result in very expensive health and psychological care. Therefore, look at martial arts as preventative medicine, and as a bonus, your child is staying out of trouble.

Lastly, if cost is really an issue and you still can’t justify paying less than you would pay for a babysitter at $5.83 per session, you can still shop around and talk until you find the right karate studio.

A martial arts studio, that is “packed to the rafters” with kids, may not be as negotiable as a Karate studio that is an upstart, or a martial arts center that has plenty of room in their kids Karate classes.

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Yoga: The Key to Self- Mastery. http://www.kids-karate.com

There is no doubt that violence in our community is increasing. Look at what happened in the wake of the New Orleans hurricane Katrina disaster. The criminals of the city took it upon themselves to further the trauma by committing all manner of violence and disgusting crimes towards others.

Violence simmers in every city. It is just below the surface - everywhere. Just walk down the wrong street, breakdown in your vehicle in the wrong neighborhood, make an inappropriate remark or even look at somebody the wrong way and you can be in a lot of trouble.

Police cannot stand on every street corner. Nor should they. Hoods know this. They might be violent but many of them are not stupid. They know exactly where, when, how and who to target for maximum impact.

We all know the problem. But what is the solution?

Well, simplistically it all boils down to two basic options:

1. stay at home behind locked doors (even then you may not be safe)
2. learn how to protect and, if necessary, defend yourself

Sure, we are under more and more surveillance all the time. Just look at how many cameras were operating in London at the time of the rail and bus terrorist bombings. Nowadays, you are being filmed all the time. Sometimes you are aware of it, often you are not. Do cameras protect anybody? No.

Cameras and to a large extent even the police are effective only AFTER the event. Cameras can provide evidence for Court proceedings. Police can make arrests. But how does any of that help you when you are trapped by a lunatic hell-bent on causing you damage?

In many cases drugs are the cause of violence. That was one of the theories put forward in the case of what happened at New Orleans. It was stated that as the many drug users became more and more desperate and demented for another drug fix they resorted to acts of extreme violence.

You cannot negotiate peace with a violent drug user because the drug is shielding the sensibility, sensitivity, compassion and humanity of the drug taker. All they see you as is a target capable of supplying them with their next fix.

We have now arrived at the point where you could be confronted by a desperate, violent person and there are no police or security guards anywhere in sight. What do you do? How can you be your own bodyguard?

In Part 2 of “Danger in the Streets - How to Be Your Own Bodyguard” I will outline some tactical responses that you can employ. However, if you prefer, you can go directly to my website and view more information on my two “Strike-Back” manuals. Having studied karate for 35 years I have put all my experience into their contents.

You can learn to be your own bodyguard. Stay with me and I will show you how.

This article comes with reprint rights providing no changes are made and the resource box below accompanies it.

About the author: Gary Simpson is the author of eight books covering a diverse range of subjects such as self esteem, affirmations, self defense, finance and much more. His articles appear all over the web. Gary’s email address is budo@iinet.net.au. Click here to go to his
Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website where you can receive his “Zenspirational Thoughts” plus an immediate FREE copy of his highly acclaimed, life-changing e-book “The Power of Choice.”

I will here attempt to be non style specific in discussing fight strategy. Simply remember to train your reflexes for the proper use of body mechanics. Prepare your mind for a self defense mindset, rather than hostility. Remember “zanshin” - remaining mind. This is your most powerful weapon. Prevention is better than cure!

When faced with a heavy handed puncher, his or her hand speed and upper body defenses may be hard to match or get past. In this case, timing and creativity are of high priority. In a street situation, you do not have time to memorize his or her habits. Neither do you get the benefit of watching fight tapes beforehand. Watch for openings in the attacks, and draw out your opponent for a timed hit. Don’t forget use of body shifting; especially to the outside of the opponent, which will present you with a strategic advantage. This reduces his / her options by 50%. This will be easier or harder to do depending on the
attacker’s training; such is hard to judge immediately, so it is instead better to take the initiative and/or counter-hit as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Untrained punchers, however, tend to have a large amount of telegraphing (movements that signal a certain attack, not unlike “tells” in poker). Against a kicker, remember that people are already on the brink of disaster on two feet, and taking another foot off the ground ruins balance even more. Also, a kick generally takes longer than a punch to reach its destination. Use this in conjunction with “stop hits” when you are at or just outside of the attacker’s kicking range. Essentially, you will want to react to the opponent’s starting movement as quickly as possible with a jamming technique or combination. Be extra careful when the attacker does manage to raise a kick. A well trained kicker can often change a kick’s height or target before putting his or her foot down.

You must maintain a strong cover from which you can counter swiftly, and off-balance your opponent while their kicking foot is still traveling. Make an opportunity to close with the kicker, and reduce his or her options. Elbows and knees are particularly effective for striking away kicks, and use in close-up fighting. Use caution, however, if your attacker appears trained in a heavily body-conditioning oriented flavor of Muay Thai/Thaiboxing, Kyokushin karate, or the like. Counter striking to vital areas that cannot be conditioned (solar plexus and so forth) will be even more important in these cases.

The author lives in Lake City, South Carolina, where he teaches at his Wado ryu Karate school. He enjoys reading, writing, training, and spending time with his fiance. For more information, and free downloads, please visit the Johnston Wado ryu Karate Online Community.