This YouTube video by Team Ki presents a cardio and endurance workout. It’s a Tabata style workout, in which you work hard for 20 seconds, take a 10 second break, and repeat for a set number of rounds. The host Kenichi Sato performs basic Karate techniques, called “kihon,” turning this into a practice drill session.
The workout includes blocks, punches, kicks, and other types of hand strikes. There are 6 blocks of exercises, with 4 techniques each, and each technique is practiced with both sides of the body. This gives us 48 rounds total, for a 24 minute workout.
With the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial (and possible appeal due to the wreckless rhetoric of Congresswoman Maxine Waters,) police reform is on everyone’s mind. It’s my opinion police corruption does exist, but only in certain cities. The public can combat that corruption by raising up departments in more ethical cities, and even from other countries. Japan is home to the safest cities in the world, and they’re kept that way by police who practice martial arts and make it a lifestyle.
In the following YouTube video by Chadi, we learn that police in Japan are required to practice Judo, and encouraged to practice Kendo. Judo and Kendo are modern and streamlined versions of Jiu-jutsu and Kenjutsu, respectively. Jiu-jutsu and Kenjutsu were practiced by samurai in Japan’s feudal age. Judo is a style of unarmed grappling, and Kendo is Japanese-style swordsmanship.
It may not seem like sword fighting has any use in modern times outside of sports. However, the video explains that Kendo teaches one a proper mindset and split-second decision making. Judo has more practical use to modern police when they need to subdue and handcuff suspects. The debate in the Derek Chauvin trial was that, even though George Floyd was on drugs that impaired his breathing, Chauvin shouldn’t have held his knee on Floyd’s neck for so long. I invite practitioners of Judo and Jiu-jutsu to comment whether there are any safer submission techniques available.
It’s not enough to learn martial arts techniques, however. One must practice them regularly and strive to continuously improve. A commenter on one of Chadi’s other videos discusses the need for constant practice, or else the skills will deteriorate, and the police officer will revert back to unsafe practices. Whatever style of martial arts you practice, it’s meant to be a lifetime pursuit of excellence.
In this post, we learn of strategies and phrases to disarm toxic people in our lives. They are presented in the following YouTube video by Inner Integration. Toxic people such as narcissists and sociopaths crave to impose their will on others, so we need practical strategies to protect our freedom. This applies not just to our personal lives, but in the larger society.
Around the world today, one of the main topics of debate is whether or not to take the COVID 19 vaccine. Some people believe it will keep them safe from the virus, while others are suspicious of the establishment pushing it so hard. As with many cases of corruption, I feel the deeper issue is abuse by narcissists, sociopaths, etc. If you’re being pressured by your employer, friends, or family, into doing something you think is wrong, use the following strategies and phrases to stand up for yourself. Similar to certain styles of martial arts, you will redirect the enemy’s attack and turn it back on them.
5 Strategies To Disarm Toxic People
Breathe: Deep breaths bring you into the present moment.
Set a new boundary: Get comfortable saying “no” to this person.
Observe: Mentally separate from the interaction and imagine watching it in the 3rd person. This helps you judge the situation objectively. Remove your emotions from the interaction.
Guard your attention: The toxic person wants to direct your attention to their own purposes, and get you to react emotionally. Focus on things that line up with your integrity.
Phrasing: Verbally redirect the toxic person’s attacks so you don’t clash head-on.
Phrases To Disarm Toxic People:
“That’s interesting. I wonder why you feel that?” This helps when you’re setting boundaries and made to feel selfish for doing so.
“That’s possible.” For when you’re insulted or called names.
“I see you feel strongly about this, and we see things differently.” For when you have a difference of opinion and it’s no use arguing your points.
“I would like to maintain a relationship of mutual respect.” Say this when there is a huge outburst of verbal abuse. Understand it’s not really about you, and you don’t need to feed them your emotions.
“Let’s talk when you’re feeling better.” You can also say this during an outburst. Don’t feel obligated to respond to them immediately; give them and yourself time to think.
“I noticed you’re upset. Did I do something to offend you?” Say this when the toxic person is committing covert abuse, like the silent treatment or passive aggression. Only approach them when you’re ready, on your terms.
“I see how upset you are. What do you think you’re going to do about it?” Say this when someone constantly complains and feeds off your sympathy, but doesn’t make a change.
“I hope you feel better.” Say this when someone throws an outright tantrum of insults and abuse. It’s not your responsibility to help them when they’re like that.
In this YouTube video by USCCA, we learn the difference between gun storage and staging in the home, and how to practice them safely. Storage is keeping an empty gun unused for long periods of time, while staging is having one ready, yet secure, in case of a home invasion.
The hosts describe their recommended miniature gun safe for staging. It can be opened with a combination or sequence of button presses. Then they show products for storing unloaded weapons and transporting them to a shooting range. Keeping children safe is obviously imperative; guns should be out of reach from small children, and safety rules should be taught from before the time they’re old enough to handle them.
This YouTube video by National Shooting Sports Foundation explains common safety and etiquette rules at a shooting range. Shooting ranges are important places to practice. Many will let you rent or otherwise try out different gun models before you commit to buying one. It’s helpful to know how a gun model feels in your hands and if it’s comfortable; everyone is different.
The video starts with universal gun safety rules. I have shared these in a previous post, but they can never be overstated. Safety is especially important around other people who are practicing shooting.
Keep the gun pointed in a safe direction: Never point the gun at anything you don’t want to shoot.
Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot.
Keep your gun completely unloaded until you’re ready to shoot.
Every gun range has different rules, so read them thoroughly before you begin shooting: Ask for help and guidance up front before you’re in a noisy shooting area. Safety is the staff’s number one concern, so they’ll be happy to answer questions.
Next, the hosts demonstrate how to safely set down both a semiautomatic handgun and a revolver. They have different parts, but they should both be pointed downrange at all times. A gun should be in this position whenever you’re inspecting the target or changing shooters in the booth.
At indoor gun ranges, you can automatically bring the target close to you for inspection. At an outdoor range, you must wait for the range officer to give the all clear signal to walk up and inspect.
The video then goes through the rules specific to the range where it was filmed. You should follow all instructions by the range officer on duty. Anyone at the range can call a cease fire, and the officer will respond to your concerns. The video wraps up with some common sense tips.
This very important YouTube video by Warrior Poet Society lists 4 safety rules for handguns. The host John Lovell is a former Army Ranger who teaches firearm safety throughout the United States. These rules are universal, and should be practiced by gun owners so much they become second nature.
Treat all guns as if they are loaded, and know the condition of your weapon: Never point the gun at another person, even if you feel certain it’s empty. Point it downrange and inspect the chamber thoroughly and repeatedly before you put it down.
Keep your finger off the trigger until the sights are aligned and the decision to shoot has been made: This was mentioned at the end of the previous post, “Beginner’s Guide To Handguns Part 1,” but it bears repeating. None of these safety rules can be overstated. If your finger is on the trigger, it’s too easy to accidentally fire if you’re distracted.
Never point a gun at anything you don’t intend to destroy: Lovell demonstrates the wrong way to shoot (with a prop gun), and the barrel line crosses his hands repeatedly. Utmost care must be followed not to point a gun at a living person.
Know your target, what is beyond it, in front of it, to the left and to the right of it: If you miss your target, you can unintentionally kill anyone within range. A bullet can even go through solid objects like walls. You are responsible for a fired bullet until it stops moving. This is why warning shots are bad practice.
