| #ffffff;" /> | | | | grade. Probably a further year on he may reach |
| You are elderly and unfit. And very concerned at | | | | Black Belt. And now he may feel pleased and |
| the risk you face when walking our streets and | | | | satisfied. |
| parks. | | | | But no, Black Belt grades start at 1st Dan and |
| Worried about mugging. Frightened about rape. | | | | progress up to 9th Dan (really). 1st Dan equates |
| Scared of yobs. You want to learn how to give | | | | to a University BSc, the first qualified level. Where |
| yourself a better than even chance of survival. | | | | one can now actually START to properly learn. |
| You have decided to join a self defence class. But | | | | Progressing, 4th Dan is probably about MSc level, |
| which one? | | | | and 6th Dan a doctorate degree. Above this we |
| Karate? Aikido? Judo? Ju-jutsu? Kung-fu? Hapkido? | | | | are into Professor ranges. |
| The list is truly endless. | | | | The point is this: Beginner to Brown Belt takes |
| My advice? Don’t join any! If you do, you | | | | about two years CONSTANT training. To become |
| will have NO chance of surviving a mugging or a | | | | – an advanced student. But still a |
| rape attack! I truly mean that! | | | | STUDENT. |
| Don’t bother with self defence classes. | | | | The first skill level where one can expect martial |
| They are a complete and total waste of time. | | | | arts techniques to actually work automatically, |
| You will be led into a false sense of security and | | | | without thinking is probably 3rd Dan Black Belt. |
| to your horror will find yourself smashed and | | | | I started the martial arts at age 14. I won my |
| broken the instant you try to apply what you | | | | 3rd Dan Black Belt THIRTY years later. |
| have been taught. I’m sorry, but | | | | And you are thinking of attending a six week |
| that’s the way it is. | | | | course on self defence!!! |
| The perhaps drugged-up attacker is in a | | | | Don’t waste your time. Don’t be |
| desperate state of mind. If he is caught or | | | | deluded by un-thinking instructors. Ask them how |
| identified he can expect a long prison term. So he | | | | long it will be till you are skilled enough to be able |
| HAS to smash you. He HAS to win. He has NO | | | | to use the techniques to full life and death effect? |
| choice. He MUST leave you dead or seriously | | | | The answer is – TEN YEARS of |
| broken. | | | | CONSTANT TRAINING. I know. I’ve done |
| What chance do you have? If you try to apply | | | | it. |
| martial arts techniques: None! | | | | To survive a street confrontation, you must train |
| Why do I say all this? There is a system of | | | | and use a weapon. There is no alternative! |
| Grades in all the martial arts. Generally speaking, | | | | Which weapon? That is up to you. Find the one |
| the Beginner starts with a White Belt. After | | | | that suits your needs, that suits your personality. |
| perhaps a year or so he reaches Blue Belt. This is | | | | That you feel happy with. |
| quite a reasonable level – for a student. A | | | | Find that one which will become You! The choice is |
| further year on he may be awarded his Brown | | | | wide. |
| Belt. This is quite a high grade, but still a STUDENT | | | | |