The Principle of Relaxation vs. Muscle Tension: A core concept is that an impact effective force comes from relaxation, flow, and mental focus, not brute strength. Tensing up leads to stalemates, while a relaxed, “flow” state disrupts an opponent’s balance and expectations, making techniques more effective even against a stronger person.

Using Leverage vs. Strength: This principle focuses on using the body’s structure and pivot points (like one’s own feet) to gain a mechanical advantage. By applying force far from the pivot, a smaller person can unbalance a stronger one without engaging in a direct strength contest. This is a key reason to avoid “Point-to-Point Fighting”—a direct, strength-on-strength confrontation.

Adding Power of the Mind: We tried two experiments: One is with a straight arm projecting past the fingers, the other one is heavy elbow. Both scenarios, we compared the difference between focusing on muscles working against an incoming force vs taking your mind off the muscles but focus on the effect you are trying to create.

Strategic Positioning & Attacking to Disrupt Balance: This is a tactical principle focused on moving to a safer, more advantageous position relative to an opponent (e.g., to the side to avoid direct strikes). The goal of an attack is often not to cause injury but to disrupt the opponent’s balance and control by targeting areas that create an instinctive, destabilizing reaction.

Pushing Mechanics, Leg Drive & Energy Leaks: Effective pushing requires driving from the large muscles of the legs (thighs, glutes) with a bent back leg, not just leaning with the upper body. In fact, leaning can half the effective body weight against an opponent or object just like the mechanics of moving dolly. Structural integrity must be maintained to avoid “energy leaks,” where a joint (like the wrist) bends backward, dissipating power.

Non-telegraphed Movement: This refers to eliminating preparatory signals before an attack. The goal is to integrate stepping and pressing into a single, seamless motion so that force is delivered simultaneously with movement, giving the opponent no time to react.

Adaptability & Practical Application:
The overarching philosophy is that survival and effectiveness come from adaptation, not brute strength. The principles of leverage, balance, and efficient energy use are foundational concepts applicable not just to self-defense but also to everyday physical tasks like moving furniture or pushing a heavy door.

SPECIFIC SKILLS

Wrist Release & Grip Escape Techniques: A set of defensive techniques to escape wrist grabs by using physics and leverage. The core idea is to manipulate the opponent’s grip by relaxing, creating stress on their thumb (e.g., by pointing fingers down), and using structural alignment (e.g., lifting the elbow) to break free without muscular force.

Bicycle Hands Drill: A continuous, chain-punching drill where hands cycle in an oblong motion along the centerline. It teaches how to maintain an offensive flow, clear an opponent’s blocks, and protect one’s center by keeping the elbows down and in.

The Pendulum squeeze. Just like a pendulum, the following concepts are applied: 1) Anchor the pivot. 2) Settle downward matching your Center of Gravity with the path of a pendulum bob. 3) Just as important, make sure there are no leaks.

Palm strike to the nose: When desperate and in-close, an upward strike to the nose of the aggressor can be very effective and if done with full body power, it can actually flip him up and backwards.

Finger stab to the throat: Fingers pressed hard against an aggressor even without stabbing hard can be quite unnerving. This technique has been used against bullies in real life scenarios.

SIDE NOTES

Please try to come to class 10-15 minutes earlier if possible since the room is available. We can use it to ask questions, warm up and even do some partner drills to see if skills that worked last week still works this week.

Do let me know if the you like the class duration being 1.5 hours or do you prefer the standard one hour slots.

Does the current start time work for you or you prefer a little later because of traffic.

We are planning for the winter session at confederation. If the classes are strictly for seniors, the possibility of having snow and ice on the cold winter nights doesn’t seem to make sense for me. However, looking at the class we have now, it seems like all of you are reasonably young and capable, I am wondering if I am worrying too much. Your feedback is much appreciated.