Self-Defense and Karate Kata

Two black belt instructors from Utah Shorin-Kai practice one of dozens of techniques from Meikyo kata during clinic
at the Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Hombu in Mesa. This application near the end of the kata and is taught as a jumping
elbow strike. It also applies when an attacker attempts to grabs a leg for a take down. Warning, do
not use this on anyone - it is dangerous (photo courtesy of Nemec Photography).

Visualize an attacker moving fast and low to take you to the ground by gabbing and lifting your leg, or lifting you by your crotch or ankle. I periodically see people practicing these moves at the gym, and it is likely a great move against someone not properly trained in self-defense.

From my martial arts education in karate and jujutsu in 50 years of training is that you should never grab anyone until you first apply atemi (attention getter - basically a knock out strike to the jaw). As you can imagine, if your opponent is seeing stars, it should be relatively easy to take them down. But another thing I have been taught in the many martial arts I've trained in - never go to the ground for any reason! By going to the ground, you leave yourself open to an attack by one of your opponent's friends, and you also have fewer options for self-defense whether you take a person down, or you are taken down. 

So, as I watch these individual practicing take downs, a couple of bunkai (practical applications) I've taught in classes and clinics come to mind. One is in Meikyo kata and designed for situations like this. The technique is disguised in kata and begins with a 360-degree jump. Of course you should not jump while an attacker is trying to take you down, but using a downward elbow strike on the top of the head, neck, or spine would likely end a take down attempt (it could also end in very serious injury, so be very careful and do not use this unless you are prepared for the consequences).

There are two other bunkai from Rohai kata that are also designed to defend against a takedown. One is a hard punch directed downward, and the other is a double, open-hand technique also directed downward. Imagine a person trying to tackle you while you apply a hard punch to his spine while at the same time pushing his head to the ground with your other hand. Or imagine using the other bunkai - slapping your attacker on both ears while he rushes in for the take down. Game over. 

Every kata taught in traditional Okinawan karate has many self-defense applications such as these that people should be practicing for self-defense. Imagine, training every day with kata that contain dozens of devastating self-defense applications. Your muscles learn to move properly, you build speed, power and balance. This is what kata and karate are all about - building proper muscle memory. Then, take individual pieces out of the kata and periodically practice them with a partner - soon you will soon be dangerous! This is karate!

Self-Defense Clinics Can Be A Real KICK!

Welcome to our honorable dojo (martial arts school) in the East Valley of Phoenix where we offer special two-hour personal self-defense clinics to the general public, women's clubs, private companies and other groups. These clinics are designed to teach basic self-defense concepts such as how to use your elbows, knees, feet, hands, legs, balance, just in case you are attacked. Our clinics even introduce you to common, everyday weapons such as car keys, magazines, books, coins, purse, belt or anything else you might be carrying on your person - even a Duck Commander duck call which we call a Louisiana kuboton. And these clinics are taught by the 2004 Instructor of the Year and 2001 International Instructor of the Year Hall-of-Fame martial artist who is a noted public speaker. The clinics are designed to be entertaining and introduce you and your friends to self-defense. All it takes is minimum of ten people, each paying a fee comparable to what you would pay at a movie theater - but you can walk out of this theater feeling more confident about yourself. So, find nine or more friends, and schedule a clinic at our martial arts school in Mesa that services Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix and Tempe.

One of many self-defense clinics held at universities across the country and
taught by Hall-of-Fame martial artist, Soke Hausel.

Imagine - you are in a public library on a Friday evening and stalked by an illegal alien: how would you defend yourself if you were attacked? You are surrounded by books with pointed edges, you have car keys - how about that pen in your purse? How heavy is your purse?  You have many weapons in addition to your feet, knees, hands, elbows, fingers, thumb. Why not learn how to use these? Imagine, you are in a pub, and some drunk redneck grabs your wrists and drags you out the back door? What are you going to do with your elbows? Your knees? Your feet? How do you escape? Or what do you do when walking on the ASU, MCC, CGCC, AT Still, Grand Canyon University or University of Phoenix campus and two thugs run into you. You turn around, say something not too pleasant, and one responds by attacking you on your right, the other on your left. 

These are real life situations that are all too common. Phoenix has a crime rate that only a democrat would love, and is higher than the national average. Remember, you cannot always get to a gun even if you have one.

We have very inexpensive community self-defense clinics as well as weekly self-defense classes taught by a Hall-of Fame martial arts instructor and former professor of martial arts at four universities where he instructed students, faculty, community members in self-defense, karate, kobudo (martial arts weapons), jujutsu and samurai arts. Check out our sites at Arizona Karate, Seiyo Shorin-Ryu and Self-Defense training for more information.