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Unique Defense

Unique Defense Training

Most martial arts are practiced as sports, requiring students to train for and demonstrate their fighting abilities in tournaments or other organized competitions. Conversely, C.A.I. programs are not a sport and students in C.A.I. schools are not expected to compete in tournaments.

Additionally, a C.A.I. student does not receive instruction in an overwhelming number of self-defense techniques, nor practice high kicking, complicated wrist maneuvers, hard to hit pressure points, train in sport-like sparring or other techniques which may work or seem to work in the controlled environment of a classroom or within the rules of an organized competition, but most likely would never work under the stress of a violent, unpredictable street confrontation.

Instead, C.A.I. teaches principles and concepts, with certain skills and tools that can be applied in any number of situations. You are prepared for whatever. You are not thinking about what to do, the attack comes in, you respond like in one of your reflex-response drills. In a relatively short time training you will react instinctively, defend and attack almost simultaneously and without thought.

Understand, sparring is a game that is basically safe, and no matter how good you get, it isn't fighting. It will teach you balance, movement, range and openings, but it will not prepare you to face death, adrenaline dumps and brutality.

In our advanced levels, we don't use the term "fight", we say "A STOP" much like "an arrest", like a Police Officer. We don't fight the attacker, we stop, seize and control them. ( Chin Na in Chinese). If life-threatening, we know how to swiftly "neutralize" him.

Moreover, beginner level students at C.A.I. typically do not practice brute power, pain inducing or collision-based attacks that risk injury to yourself and eventually cause long-term damage to your bones, joints and limbs. (We don't want be head butting anyone when we're 70). This method of training gives the advantage to a stronger opponent ( which are many ) and is often useless to deranged, enraged or intoxicated attackers feeling no pain. ( which are most ). At C.A.I. the students master "Everyman" targets. Targets that mass and muscle don't protect or limit joint compliance. Eyes, ears, throat, xyphoid process, groin and foot for examples. Higher levels teach taking the aggressors breath, sealing vessels and more.

Remember, at C.A.I. our main focus is educating "average" people useful and functional escapes, controls and self-defense. In some cases above average people that are large, athletic and assertive in nature, the external methods may be appropriate in some situations. But, there is always someone bigger and you get older by the day. So Powerhouse-people should too train and know the smart-practical side of defense as well as the law.

Most laws in western countries are basically the same. A responsible teacher should know and include the law in his teaching methods, to protect him, his students and his school.

The law basically states: If your LIFE is NOT threatened you should equal the threat not exceed it. ( Basic Fights, Bars and the like) To control the situation if possible, much like a police officer. Instructors are held at a higher standard and are expected to know this, ignorance of the law is no excuse.

If you exceed, you are breaking the law. Also know words and non-contact irritations such as someone running their mouth, in your space or cutting in line (queue) is not grounds for you to touch them, if you do it's assault on your part. They must touch you in an threatening or aggressive way first. I know this sucks, but I am only the messenger.
( REMEMBER; I am writing about NON LIFE THREATENING EVENTS. IF YOUR LIFE IS IN DANGER, LET FLY !! )

An exception to this is- if you see a violent felony in the act, then you may respond first. ( Rape, murder, assault and so on. FYI in America, spitting on someone is the same as assault). You DO have the right to take your "training" in your own hands, but criminals too have rights and you DO NOT have the right to take the law into your own hands.

So, at C.A.I. instead of hard and external techniques, alternatively, we train in smart, natural, simplistic, functional manipulation and control of the opponent. We teach a life-long system of protection, not one that is sport or youth based and becomes more difficult to maintain with age and physical limitations that accompany aging. Actually, quite the opposite. We train and refine to capitalize on using the opponents energy against them. We learn to move in the most economical of physical motion and use the most simplistic functional movements in such a way we get better with time and experience.

However, if we are unable to avoid a series of punches and can't escape, we do the "wounded crane" technique in which we practice extensively. Imagine exploding a series of rapid fire punches into the opponents center line and doing the 50 meter dash into his center-line at the same time. He will retreat and hop backwards trying to avoid falling backwards. Like a "wounded crane". Note: This was Bruce Lee's favorite street fight technique in real and difficult situations he sometimes encountered living in Hong Kong. I too have used it against someone that was 3 times my size and just wailing away at me as I was trapped in a corner of a public toilet, it worked great and I escaped leaving him with a bloody nose and holding his throat.

Moreover, C.A.I. students train in regular clothes and shoes in numerous environments and scenarios. We learn to avoid the ground, not wrestle around on it. Avoid it as you would in the real world of glass ladened alleys, asphalt and concrete surfaces and the like. Not mats, tatami or sport rings with falls designed for such. We train, fall and react as if we were always on a glassed riddled, jarred edged asphalted hard surface.

Also know, it has been said (mostly by those who are promoting grappling systems and videos) that most street fights go to the ground. But what is the basis for these supposed facts? Maybe true in the case of untrained drunkards falling around bar stools and chairs in a dimly lit bar or not life-threatening backyard "fights", wrestling and horse playing, or even the wrestling-based UFC type SPORTS.
I don't know about you, but most street fights, including bar fights and even road rage fights I have seen are over in about ten or fifteen seconds, usually the person with the fastest and the most attacks wins.

In the event of an unavoidable ground altercation, such as an ambush or violent rape attempt, because of the dangerous surface of the street and the great potential for injury, we take this as a life threatening event. We train to respond intensely with strategically placed savage-like bites, choke-outs, well placed and delivered eye gouges, jugular ripping and more.

Finally, in contrast to the strict military-style hierarchy, ceremony, and protocol common in other martial arts, C.A.I. students generally train in a serious but relaxed and informal "family-style" manner.

Training

Training includes exercises simulating fighting against one or several opponents and/or whilst protecting another. This can also involve a debilitating scenario - the use of only one arm, while dizzy, blind-folded and/or against armed opponents.

We also practice improvised weapons, i.e. pool sticks, pens, bottles, umbrellas, canes, tree branches.

Techniques focus on training combatants in conditions approximating real-life scenarios. It prepares the trainees in self-defense, fighting and combat skills, as well as skills to defend others, all in unique and comprehensive teachings and way. We teach realistic fighting and self-defense-attacks in social and daily settings (pubs, street, park, car, toilet, mass transit, house, bus and simulated airliner).

The C.A.I. program's attack and defense maneuvers aim to neutralize the threat and facilitate rapid and safe escape.

‹ The 18 Basic TacticsupAbout CAI Defense ›

Comments

Fri, 2010-08-27 15:45 — CAI-Asia

Recruiting Apprentices

Looking for Instructor Apprentices in the Shizuoka Area to study the Intense-Defense program.

In the Shizuoka area, qualified, diligent students that have a year to give towards a Instructor-Apprentice program, please contact us. We are now accepting applicants. The Program will begin in October.
Know that it is a specifically designed system, adjusted just for you. Don't make a beginners mistake and request a specific plan of study or tradition or sport. We don't do that. This is the Intense-Defense Instructor Apprentice Course. It is very effective.

If interested please contact us. A training partner will be required. Try to get a friend to join with you. You and your partners training will be 70% of your training, in an out of class. The other 30% is to pick up new skills and to be critiqued by the teacher. If you are alone, we will try to match you with another person also seeking a partner.

The class day is not yet decided. Sunday or Tuesday evenings, one or the other. We will wait and decide which is best after consulting with all participants. We will train in various locations for real world experience. All locations will be with in 15 minutes of Shizuoka Station ( by bike).

ABOUT


Unique Defense Training

Most martial arts are practiced as sports, requiring students to train for and demonstrate their fighting abilities in tournaments or other organized competitions. Conversely, C.A.I. programs are not a sport and students in C.A.I. schools are not expected to compete in tournaments.

Additionally, a C.A.I. student does not receive instruction in an overwhelming number of self-defense techniques, nor practice high kicking, complicated wrist maneuvers, hard to hit pressure points, train in sport-like sparring or other techniques which may work or seem to work in the controlled environment of a classroom or within the rules of an organized competition, but most likely would never work under the stress of a violent, unpredictable street confrontation.

Instead, C.A.I. teaches principles and concepts, with certain skills and tools that can be applied in any number of situations. You are prepared for whatever. You are not thinking about what to do, the attack comes in, you respond like in one of your reflex-response drills. In a relatively short time training you will react instinctively, defend and attack almost simultaneously and without thought.

Understand, sparring is a game that is basically safe, and no matter how good you get, it isn't fighting. It will teach you balance, movement, range and openings, but it will not prepare you to face death, adrenaline dumps and brutality.

In our advanced levels, we don't use the term "fight", we say "A STOP" much like "an arrest", like a Police Officer. We don't fight the attacker, we stop, seize and control them. ( Chin Na in Chinese). If life-threatening, we know how to swiftly "neutralize" him.

Moreover, beginner level students at C.A.I. typically do not practice brute power, pain inducing or collision-based attacks that risk injury to yourself and eventually cause long-term damage to your bones, joints and limbs. (We don't want be head butting anyone when we're 70). This method of training gives the advantage to a stronger opponent ( which are many ) and is often useless to deranged, enraged or intoxicated attackers feeling no pain. ( which are most ). At C.A.I. the students master "Everyman" targets. Targets that mass and muscle don't protect or limit joint compliance. Eyes, ears, throat, xyphoid process, groin and foot for examples. Higher levels teach taking the aggressors breath, sealing vessels and more.

Remember, at C.A.I. our main focus is educating "average" people useful and functional escapes, controls and self-defense. In some cases above average people that are large, athletic and assertive in nature, the external methods may be appropriate in some situations. But, there is always someone bigger and you get older by the day. So Powerhouse-people should too train and know the smart-practical side of defense as well as the law.

Most laws in western countries are basically the same. A responsible teacher should know and include the law in his teaching methods, to protect him, his students and his school.

The law basically states: If your LIFE is NOT threatened you should equal the threat not exceed it. ( Basic Fights, Bars and the like) To control the situation if possible, much like a police officer. Instructors are held at a higher standard and are expected to know this, ignorance of the law is no excuse.

If you exceed, you are breaking the law. Also know words and non-contact irritations such as someone running their mouth, in your space or cutting in line (queue) is not grounds for you to touch them, if you do it's assault on your part. They must touch you in an threatening or aggressive way first. I know this sucks, but I am only the messenger.
( REMEMBER; I am writing about NON LIFE THREATENING EVENTS. IF YOUR LIFE IS IN DANGER, LET FLY !! )

An exception to this is- if you see a violent felony in the act, then you may respond first. ( Rape, murder, assault and so on. FYI in America, spitting on someone is the same as assault). You DO have the right to take your "training" in your own hands, but criminals too have rights and you DO NOT have the right to take the law into your own hands.

So, at C.A.I. instead of hard and external techniques, alternatively, we train in smart, natural, simplistic, functional manipulation and control of the opponent. We teach a life-long system of protection, not one that is sport or youth based and becomes more difficult to maintain with age and physical limitations that accompany aging. Actually, quite the opposite. We train and refine to capitalize on using the opponents energy against them. We learn to move in the most economical of physical motion and use the most simplistic functional movements in such a way we get better with time and experience.

However, if we are unable to avoid a series of punches and can't escape, we do the "wounded crane" technique in which we practice extensively. Imagine exploding a series of rapid fire punches into the opponents center line and doing the 50 meter dash into his center-line at the same time. He will retreat and hop backwards trying to avoid falling backwards. Like a "wounded crane". Note: This was Bruce Lee's favorite street fight technique in real and difficult situations he sometimes encountered living in Hong Kong. I too have used it against someone that was 3 times my size and just wailing away at me as I was trapped in a corner of a public toilet, it worked great and I escaped leaving him with a bloody nose and holding his throat.

Moreover, C.A.I. students train in regular clothes and shoes in numerous environments and scenarios. We learn to avoid the ground, not wrestle around on it. Avoid it as you would in the real world of glass ladened alleys, asphalt and concrete surfaces and the like. Not mats, tatami or sport rings with falls designed for such. We train, fall and react as if we were always on a glassed riddled, jarred edged asphalted hard surface.

Also know, it has been said (mostly by those who are promoting grappling systems and videos) that most street fights go to the ground. But what is the basis for these supposed facts? Maybe true in the case of untrained drunkards falling around bar stools and chairs in a dimly lit bar or not life-threatening backyard "fights", wrestling and horse playing, or even the wrestling-based UFC type SPORTS.
I don't know about you, but most street fights, including bar fights and even road rage fights I have seen are over in about ten or fifteen seconds, usually the person with the fastest and the most attacks wins.

In the event of an unavoidable ground altercation, such as an ambush or violent rape attempt, because of the dangerous surface of the street and the great potential for injury, we take this as a life threatening event. We train to respond intensely with strategically placed savage-like bites, choke-outs, well placed and delivered eye gouges, jugular ripping and more.

Finally, in contrast to the strict military-style hierarchy, ceremony, and protocol common in other martial arts, C.A.I. students generally train in a serious but relaxed and informal "family-style" manner.

Training



Training includes exercises simulating fighting against one or several opponents and/or whilst protecting another. This can also involve a debilitating scenario - the use of only one arm, while dizzy, blind-folded and/or against armed opponents.

We also practice improvised weapons, i.e. pool sticks, pens, bottles, umbrellas, canes, tree branches.

Techniques focus on training combatants in conditions approximating real-life scenarios. It prepares the trainees in self-defense, fighting and combat skills, as well as skills to defend others, all in unique and comprehensive teachings and way. We teach realistic fighting and self-defense-attacks in social and daily settings (pubs, street, park, car, toilet, mass transit, house, bus and simulated airliner).

The C.A.I. program's attack and defense maneuvers aim to neutralize the threat and facilitate rapid and safe escape.

SHORT PROGRAM: INTENSE-DEFENSE

Everyman targets, Everyday weapons

CAI- Intense-Defense : Is a scientific study of self-defense. Intense-Defense focuses on reflexes and comfortable, natural body movement to quickly end a violent attack. It ( The organized system) is derived from ancient martial arts techniques and modern police and military methods that are functional and appropriate in today's world.

Level 1 ( Essential- Defense Seminar- Participant (C)

Introduction

The Law and Self Defense
Safety Tips
Verbal Defense Skills

"The Twister"

Defense from grab variations

Seize Control

Seize, Control and Restrain Techniques
5- Progressions of a Defense Technician

1. Safety Tips, Knowledge and Life Attitude
2. Escapes, Improvised Weapons
3. Grabs and Attempted Assaults
4. Getting Hit, Sucker Punches ( Diffusing Contact Energy)
5. Deflecting, Intercepting and Controls

#1 Two - Man Drills (Reach out, Pull Attack) Static
#2 Two Man Drills (Tie in / Tie out ) Dynamic
#3 Two Man Drills ( Tahn sao ) Moving / Walking
#4 Two Man Drills ( Chum Sao Variations)
#5 Wounded Crane - Center line Blast Drills ( Intro)

A. Attitude, Awareness, Avoidance, Action
B. Believe it ! The first few seconds of reaction can stop the attack
C. Continue-Don't Stop, Commitment; to the attacker becomes victim
D. Drills, Drills, Drills and Drills
E. Everyman Targets: Eyes, Ears, Throat, Groin
F. Fingers : Bend, Twist, Bite, Break
( The smallest finger can control the biggest man)

THE FIVE PRINCIPLES (of escapes and defenses).

1. CENTER-LINE; Protect and occupy / Attack if caught inside.
2. SHOOT TO THE SAFE ZONE
3. SECURE/RESIST then GO WITH THE FLOW
4. SECURE AND "CIRCLE" TO THE SAFE ZONE
5. Do the TWO-MAN DRILLS for automatic reaction.

(Note: Use open hand for maximum energy. If caught in front of your opponent after circling, circle backwards from inside under his arm directly to the safe-zone).

Level 2 (Intense- Defense Technician- B)

B= Basic .

THE FIVE CONCEPTS (Energy)

1. 5 Points of Energy 1. Push 2. Pull 3. Create 4. Going With 5. Intercept / Deflect
2. Escape the "Danger Zone"
3. Balance. Shake your opponent off balance, circle to ground
4. Circle your opponent round and down from the Safe-Zone. ( Puta kapola)
5. Grab - Punch - Drills, Inside to Outside, Double to Pretzel Controls.

Tahn Sao Drills
Pak and Gum Sao Drills
Puta Kapola Drills ( Neck Chin Na )
Gunting Drills and Tactics ( Scissors / Kinetic Response Strikes )
S.T.O.P. Color-coded flow drills ( Stop, Touch, Out-Trap, Punch )

DEFEND ATTACK AND TAKE

1. Loi Dao ( High simultaneous check-attack drill)
2. Hu Dao ( Low simultaneous check-attack drill)
3. Sepa ( Rear back sweep-hook kick)
4. Nao Tek (Front sweep-hook kick)
5. Passing and Maintaining Centerline Drills

Oral Test
Practical Test

Level 3 (Intense- Defense Technician- A)

360 Rapid Fire Drills

- Center line Blasting Drills
- The Dirty Dozen ( Techniques)

1. Do not get hurt
2. Employ pre-emptive defensive techniques
3. Change quickly from defensive into offensive techniques ie respond to an attack with overwhelming force, in the quickest time possible.
4. Use the most natural, quickest, reflexes of the body
5. Exploit the opponent's vulnerabilities to their extreme
6. Employ the aid of any available objects
7. In Escapes, invert any fingers you can get to. Go for "Any Man, Any Size" Targets: Eyes, Throat, Ears, Groin, Temple.
8. IF YOU HAVE TO BITE ! ( Neck, inside arms or legs, groin, nose, finger )
9. SCRATCH ! Think of it as getting a good DNA sample under your nails, while causing pain and severe corneal abrasions.
10. Take it all the way, to the attacker becomes the victim. Understand what you can and cannot do legally.

A= Assistant Seminar Instructor of C,B,A. Levels

Complete Levels 1 and 2.

Understand the M.A.L.T. ( Martial Artist Liability Test ) legal test in America.

(Note: Use open hand for maximum energy. If caught in front of your opponent after circling, circle backwards from inside under his arm directly to the safe-zone).

The 5 FIGHTING DRILLS (2 man defense and attack drills)

1. Outside Elbow Stick and Stop Drill (Partial defensive retreat)
2. Outside Switch and Squeeze Drill ( Advance and Control)
3. Single Pushing Hands Drill ( Feel and Divert Power Flow)
4. Double Pushing Hands Drill ( 2 handed Feel and Divert)
5. Walking Pushing Hand Drill ( 3 and 4 while moving)

The 5 Skill and Qualities Drills

1. Pan Nam Wing Chun Balance Drills
2, Tan-Pak Sao Shifting - Mobility
3. Pak-Attack Shifting and Timing Drills
4, Chum Sao / Tan-Pak-Lop-Bong Sao Deflecting
5. Chi Sao; Sensitivity Development

Assist 25 % in a Seminar
Assist 50% in a Seminar
Test and Discussion
Compliance Contract



Intense - Defense CertifiedIntense - Defense Certified

Instructor

Level 4 (INTENSE - DEFENSE INSTRUCTOR of C,B,A Levels )

3 Hour Compliance class; methods, skills, drills, regulations and legal etc.

A. Basics of Criminal and Civil Law

B. Emergency First Aid

C. Course Outline:

1. Introduction/Overview
2. C.A.I. Programs
3. Rules/Procedures
4. Communications
5. Safety Rules
6. Class/Seminar Set-up and Design
7. Presentation: Safety Tips
8. Presentation: Escapes (or specialzed)
9. Presentation: Defense/Attacks ( or specialized)
10.Open Practice / Flow/ Grouping /Safety (or specialized)
11.Re-cap Q and A
12.Demo/Invitation

D. Assist 75% in a Seminar

Arrange and conduct a Seminar 100% (Under observation) 12 participant minimum.

E. TEST / FEEDBACK
COMPLIANCE CONTRACT

1 Year CERTIFICATION the First time.

3 YEAR CERTIFICATION There after.

Instructor - Trainer

Level 5 (INTENSE - DEFENSE INSTRUCTOR - TRAINER )

NOTE: YOU WILL BE PROMOTED WHEN YOU CAN ACTUALLY APPLY THE SKILLS SUCCESSFULLY IN MULTIPLE SCENARIOS AT REAL SPEED, AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AGREE YOU ARE QUALIFIED. IT IS NOT TIME OR PARTICIPATION BASED. IT IS STRICTLY SKILL BASED.

Current Level 4 Certification
Complete 5+ Successful Seminars.
Additional 6 hours of Specialized Classroom.
2-10 hours of Observation
TEST / WRITTEN and ORAL
ORAL REVIEW BOARD
COMPLIANCE CONTRACT
2 Year Certification

CONTACT:

CHUNTIAN ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL

Real World Defense Systems
Nibancho 14-7
Shizuoka City, Shizuoka, Japan 420-0011

24 hour information and support.
Contact us by email

Or contact us by telephone

Tele: 090-6087-2729 ( In Japan )

Outside Japan:
Tele: (81)- 906- 087- 2729 (English or Japanese) - Director Plewes
Tele: (81)- 909- 199- 2664 (Indonesian, Japanese or English) - Staff

Remember, you must walk before you can run.

Baby Steps

CAI Systems concepts and ideas should be easy to grasp for beginners. The System is based on the natural body structure and common sense found in fighting. However, in reality beginners can be overwhelmed with the amount of information, theories, strategies, and ideas that CAI has to offer.

Here are several tips and suggestions to help you the beginner, in you're training.

1) The best way to improve quickly is to focus on the basics.

I believe all beginners walk similar paths. The need to “show me something new bug” will always enter their skin. Nothing to be ashamed of, everyone goes through it. But, the key thing to remember is that if you want to get good and improve quickly, you need to focus on the basics. Its not how much you know, but how much of what you know that you've really mastered.

2) Regular partner to train inside and outside of class

It’s true that when in school, it’s good to work out with as many people as possible. The variety of different sizes as well as different skill levels gives you a taste of the many ways you need to adjust depending on your opponent. But, from my teaching experience it’s also good to have a regular training partner who’s at about the same level that you’re in. Together you can help each other grow in the art. Thus, I've made it clear to all my students, that your partner is your best friend. All too often I see people use the drills as a way of building ego and beating on each other. This achieves nothing and you also risk the possibility of hurting one another. You hurt your partner, you lose your partner, you hurt your training in return.

3) Concentrate on what you have to train, not what others are doing

Otherwise referred to as mind your own business. Sometimes in your training you’ll get that itch of curiosity, and see your older brothers and sisters working on other things. Focus on what’s at hand, not what others are doing. Everyone learns at their own pace, studying at CAI is not a race to see who learns the most quickly. Your teacher has designed drills for you specifically for a reason. Don't sway off the path.

4) Don’t waste too much time on the net

When you first start training in the CAI Styles and Systems, it seems like you can’t get enough information about it. So, you spend your time reading and checking out more information about it from videos, books, and the net. While all these are good ways to spend the time, don’t focus too much on it. The time spent reading on the net could be time spent practicing skills and drills. No one ever defended themselves and kicked butt by just reading.

5) Listen and trust your teacher

If you picked your teacher, then trust him. It’s okay to ask questions, but if you keep second guessing him, you’ll stall your own progress. Listen to your inner self, if you don’t trust what he’s saying, then its time to leave and find someone you do.

6) Time tables are okay, but look at it as a lifetime of learning

Belts, sashes, certifications, or levels should not be your motivating factor to push you forward. The fact is all those are meaningless measures of determining ones ability. I believe its okay to say, “I want to learn this or get good at this particular drill or exercise within, such n such a date” But, keep in mind that the total CAI System one can become proficient in a relative short time, but it takes a lifetime to master, and you have your entire life to learn it. Don’t look at it like a diet. Most diets fail because people don’t realize that you have to change your entire life style forever, not just for a 3 to 6 month period till they lose the weight.

7) Focus more on the drills than anything else

The drills are the #1 most important thing to focus on once you gets the basics. But, spend more time, learning the proper motions than anything else in the beginning. Don’t be so concerned about attacks and defending, until you got a decent reflex first.

8) Be consistent in your training

Whether you show up once a week, or three times a week the key is being consistent. Everyone has busy schedules but I’ve told my student even if you only practice at home 5 to 10 minutes a day, at least your building on something. Coming to class and then letting a month slide brings you back to the beginning every single time. Its understandable that this will happen on occasion, but the 5 to 10 minute practice is doable by all.

9) Teach to learn more

Digesting what you’ve learned doesn’t come full circle till you start to teach. Thus, it’s true that you have to teach in order to really learn the art. You cannot be a student your entire life, if you follow the path you’ll only know half the art. But, in the beginning don’t get so caught up teaching, till you’ve got at least an understanding of the main basics. Usually, you’re Sifu will ask you to teach certain things when he feels your ready. When the time comes embrace it and find out how difficult it is to teach. But, you’ll come to understand when you can explain it, do it, and teach it to someone else, then you’ll really know the details behind the motions and theories.

10) Ego

Almost everything that you do always comes full circle. A ego plays an important role, there is no such thing as having no ego. Having no ego in itself is an unnatural balance in things. But, the ego's job is to push you to want to be better, to drive you further. At the same time you must learn to control it, since it will kiss your butt in making you think your better than you really are. There is always work to be done, you can always improve. Appreciate the gains from hard work, but don't rest on it.

11) Don't be so concerned with fighting

All to often, beginners get so caught up in the fighting aspect of martial arts. Yes, you take martial arts in the beginning to defend yourself. But, I guarantee you even if you've never taken it before your mind is already filled with the ideas of how movies and TV represents martial arts to be. You train in the beginning to unlearn what you think you may have learned. Just because you can whack each other in the ring for 5 minutes, does not make you a better fighter. Without structure in the training first you will not ever achieve the proficiencies of being a good fighter. imagine you in a cooking school, and I just said in day 1, okay I want everyone to just make a cake. Sure you can whip something up, but that doesn't mean you know what your doing. Bottom line, beating on each other doesn't mean your developing fighting skills.

12) Keep it up

All too often when new students start a CAI program or any program really, the excitement of something new and different can be intoxicating, but can quickly fade. Be mindful of that, although the CAI System is exciting and if you keep on course you will notice a great increase in your performance. But also remember it's not always fun and games. We will sometimes do drills and develop skills to the point you will become exhausted. But keep it up as this system will rapidly make you proficient and you will have no regrets and in the future pat yourself on the back and thinking "this is one of the best decisions I have ever made - to stick this out". Take that on experience.

Matt