Does Kristen Have Grace?

Well, I like to think so. But my trainer partners in Kali/FMA class might think otherwise. Even though I am a woman I am not known for being most graceful or controlled martial artist. I’m more known for being strong and smashing things like a hammer because Dan Inosanto always says that it is important to possess both feminine and masculine qualities as a fighter. So you can tell I like to break gender norms.

 

That’s why sometime instead of wanting to do the drills that look all pretty I’d rather be spar or just do stick grappling (the double leg being my favorite.) But even though I deal out real damage I try to at least make it look good. Even if it’s not as good as Paul, check out the new episode of Throat Punch Thursday. Then you guys can tell me if I have grace and strength, like a happy buffalo. Or just watch to learn a double leg with a stick.

 

Inspiration:

 

So you are probably wondering what this episode is even about. It’s a long story. When I go to Dan Inosanto seminars one of my favorite things he does is tell great stories from his life. At one seminar he told a story of when he was training Kali as a boy. His instructor kept saying “no grease!” Dan Inosanto thought he meant to Filipino faster like grease lighting. So he kept going faster and faster. His instructor then said again “no grease!” He didn’t understand. Then he realized his instructor was saying “no grace.” His instructor was from the Phillapenese so he had a thick accent, which is why he misunderstood.

 

I thought that that story was one of the funniest things that Dan Inosanto has ever said at a seminar. He then went into the importance of being graceful as well as strong as a fighter. AndFilipinoculture it is very important to have both feminine and masculine chararteristics as a martial artist. Dan Inosanto said that women are typically more graceful practitioners and that men are usually stronger. He went on to say that there are some very strong women out there. It was at that point in the seminar that all my trainer partners looked at me. Cause I have no grease!

 

Technique:

 

I really enjoy stick grappling. Considering that I love grappling in general when you get a stick it makes it even more fun. One my favorite techniques in stick grappling, mostly because it was the only one I could pull off in sparring, is the double leg with the stick.

I double leg with the stick is a great techniques because even if you are not a great wrestler you can stick pull it off. This is because the stick does part of the work and your opponent cannot sprawl out of the takedown.

So knowing drills is great but sometimes you need to just take the fight to the ground. Happy stick grappling!

 

This Is Valentine’s Day!

About this Episode:

 

This is Sparta! Well. No it’s Throat Punch Thursday but I was close. It’s almost Valentine’s Day and nothing screams romantic than the worlds most famous push kick, ancient Sparta, and a box of gamble chocolate. Cause you guys know, just like the chocolate, you never know what you’re going to get at Throat Punch Thursday. In this week’s episode I teach the Teep, but just the Teep and take to you back to an ancient time where the men were men and the woman were men, who foot jabbed! Don’t forget this is Valentine’s Day!

Technique:

 

The Teep, or foot jab in English, is the longest-range tool in Muay Thai. I believe it should be one of the first techniques that you should learn in Muay Thai. It can be used offensively, defensively, or just to knock someone down who’s asking you out for Valentine’s Day. The key is you have to drive from the hip if you want to get any power behind the foot jab. Or else you won’t be knocking anybody down with your bed sheet you made to look like a cape.

Who Doesn’t Love a Handchop?

In this weeks episode of Throat Punch Thursday I teach the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu hand chop. But honestly, who doesn’t love a hand chop? I know I love a hand chop! Whether it’s the ninja chop, karate chop, or the judy chop.

But today we’re talking about the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu hand chop. For those of you who don’t know if you look in Helio Gracie’s Master Test there is a hand chop. I know, I had to do it on my black belt test.

It’s especially useful when I’m getting unwanted attention from “sweet” dudes who think they know more Jiu-Jitsu than me. Isn’t that the worst? Some creepy guy walks up to you and all you want him to do is go away and leave you alone.

So what do you do? Hand Chop! First, you distract them by selling the hair. Trust me if you skip this step all is lost…(Enter super awesome slow mo. hair shake) then hand chop! HA! Now I have found a situation where the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu hand chop is not only useful but perfect for dealing with creepy old man beard face over here (I know Paul’s not old…) but some guys are.

 

 

Holiday Shopping Survival Guide

Thanksgiving is over and the holiday season has officially begun. Have you got all your shopping done? Frankly, I haven’t even started but that’s what Amazon prime is for. But for some of you who are brave enough to venture outside this holiday season, we have provided some techniques to help you survive this holiday shopping season…throat punches optional.

Technique #1: Lunging Punch Defense (Tight Cover)

Always keep your hands up. People get a little heated during the holiday season. So say you get the last CusineArt and the person takes a swing at you. Use the tight cover to block them lunging at you. Then move to the T position that way you can take that sweet new CurineArt home.

Technique #2: Improvised Weapons (Downward Figure 8, Upward Figure 8 & X)

There are weapons everywhere. Whether it is a car antenna or a shopping bag. But these are useless unless you know how to use them. So remember your basic stroking patterns, such as downward figure 8, upward figure 8 and X. Now your ready for when an argument over a parking space turns into an all-out war!

Technique #3: Range Managment (Footjab)

The number one defense always don’t be there. Range management is key especially while dealing with crowds of tons of people. A foot jab is a great tool for keeping people on the outside as well as lining people up so you only have to defend yourself against one person at a time. Just remember to put some stank on it!

Technique #4: Headlock Escapes (attacker pulling you to the ground)

The headlock. One of the most common attacks by people who don’t know how to fight. Whether it’s children or adult you see the headlock everywhere. So you should probably know how to get out of one. Standing, on the ground, with stikes or without. It is one of the most important positions to know how to get out of. So next you’re waiting in line to see Santa at the mall remember to use control, not just pain compliance.

Technique #5: Trapping (to the Throat Punch of course!)

Training for years. Tons of drills. Thousands of reps. And finally, a situation where trapping is practical. I’m so excited! When there are tons of crowds and not a lot of space sometimes you can’t foot jab or wrestle someone to the ground. Use trapping instead. I mean you would bring a bo staff to that situation, would you? Trapping is great but one key point. In the absence of obstruction…hit with a throat punch!

Be safe this holiday shopping season and I’ll see all you secret Santas in store or on the internet. Watch out for Russian hackers…

thanksgiving safety tips 2017

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

What are you thankful for? Is it family? Unnecessary amounts of eating? Football? Or is it all of the above? Or least it appears to be that way based on the holiday of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude and being with family and friends. It is also a time of stressful situations and high tension amongst distant relatives.

Because of this I thought it would be important to put out some safety tips to help everyone get through the big day.

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

Tip # 1: Be aware of your surroundings

Usually every year I end up cooking for my entire family. And what have I learned from that experience. The kitchen is a dangerous place to be. Especially when there are too many people in the kitchen at the same time. This is just waiting for accidents to happen. So pay attention to what is going on around you.

Tip # 2: Protect yourself at all times

I love my mother but using knives while cooking is not her strong suit. So I always like to remind everyone, think before you act. Put yourself in a position to protect yourself while cooking. Do one task at a time and slowdown. Use the potholder and watch your finger while chopping. No one wants to go to the hospital on the big day for second degree burn and missing fingers

Tip # 3: Use verbal Jiu Jitsu

I have a large family with lots of options and most of the time its survival of the loudest. Now I understand this about my family. So there are just some topics that you avoid…words are your first line of self-defense. Sometimes it’s better just to smile and nod. It’s better than putting yourself in a bad situation.

Tip # 4: Use Actual Jiu Jitsu

Now I know tons of different martial arts. But there is a time and a place for everything. How does one diffuse a situation without actually hurting anyone in his or her family? BJJ is perfect for that. Headlocks bear hugs, and wrist grab escapes are no issue for you. And if someone gets a little out of hand you can always do the Mata Leo (rear naked choke.) Remember control before pain compliance.

Tip # 5: Throat Punch

I mostly did this so I could throat punch Paul. Or you could just throw beer on the family member you just choked out and they will just think they over indulged.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving and remember Always Throat Punch Responsibly!

 

Kristen with coffe and Paul dressed as Freddy Kreuger

Episode 26: Who Needs A Cup of Coffee

This week we’re bringing you some knife defense, Nightmare on Elmstreet style! Continuing on with our Slasher Flick Self-Defense series, let’s tackle Freddy Kreuger’s glove. Since a disarm seems pretty unlikely, we’re taking a different approach!

Since it’s going to be really hard to get that glove away from Freddy, we’re just gonna use it against! This week’s technique is a return to sender. Let’s deal with Freddy!