By Carmen Sognonvi, originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

One of the first self-defense techniques Sensei Serge teaches new students at Urban Martial Arts is how to escape a wrist grab.

It’s nothing fancy, but this simple technique could literally save your life.

A 12-year-old girl in Salt Lake City, Utah was recently a victim of an attempted kidnapping. A man grabbed her wrist and tried to pull her into his van.

Luckily, as ABC 4 reports, she remembered the self-defense technique she learned in her martial arts class.

Adams credits her martial arts training. She says, “I remember this move that my karate teacher showed me in third grade. You twist your hand around, it hurts their hand and they let go.”

We shared Adams’ story with Brian Corrales, a martial arts teacher. He says self defense and awareness are key lessons in his class, “It’s just your gut instinct and I tell the kids that when you have an icky feeling inside, that’s something of you saying to respond and you need to get out of that situation.”

His classes are filled with girls too small to fight an attacker, but his goal is to arm them with tools to buy them time, seconds that could mean life or death. Corrales says, “The idea is to teach them one technique. You get one chance. Stun your opponent and then the child screams, yells, and they’re told to find the nearest adult.”

Photo Credit: ABC 4 Salt Lake City

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By Sensei Serge Sognonvi and Carmen Sognonvi, originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

Have you checked out the new Disney XD show “Kickin’ It” yet?

It’s about a crew of misfits enrolled at an underperforming dojo. They recruit the new kid in town, a skateboarder named Jack, whom they hope will help them improve.

The Orange County Register recently interviewed star Leo Howard, a black belt in Shorin Ryu karate and a three-time world champion, about how he got his start in show business:

Leo got his start thanks to his unusually early interest in martial arts.

“I was four years old, which is a little wacky, because what four-year-old goes out and says I want to do karate?” he says. “But I just had this weird passion for it and I just couldn’t get enough.”

His parents enrolled him at a dojo in Oceanside, and from those early days all he really remembers is “just everyone being so much taller than me,” Leo says. “When I was 5 or 6 my parents got another dojo that was really strong in another style called Shorin Ryu, and that’s when it really took off.”

As his martial arts skills accelerated, he soon hooked up with Matt Mullins, who ran an extreme martial arts performing group called Sideswipe that put on demonstrations of karate, acrobatics and the like all over the world.

“I think that’s what really got me addicted to performing,” Leo says. “My role changed as I’ve grown as a performer and just plain grown. I was OK, I wasn’t that great at the start, so they would do cool moves and then poof! Here’d be this cute kid running out there to do some karate. But for the last couple of years I’ve been one of the main performers.”

It was at a martial arts tournament that someone saw him and thought he might have a look the entertainment industry would like and referred him to their agent. For there he did print modeling, then commercials.

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By Sensei Serge Sognonvi and Carmen Sognonvi, originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

The Leiby Kletzky case has become a national news story, but for those of us who live in and near Borough Park and Kensington, it feels especially close to home.

Our hearts go out to the Kletzky family and their friends — we can’t even begin to imagine how they feel at this difficult time.

Many parents of our students have shared with us how heartbroken they are over this case, and how it has (understandably) renewed fears about their children’s safety.

That’s why we wanted to share with you the valuable guide below from Dr. Robyn Silverman. Dr. Robyn is the nationally recognized child development specialist we have partnered with on our Powerful Words character development program.

The advice she shares in point 5 is particularly important:

“As parents we may want to stop life as we know it, pull in, and not allow our children out of our sight. We must come to terms with this tragedy as best we can so we can help assure our children that they are OK. Living a life in fear is no way to live. Children rely on their parents to stay grounded, calm, and in control. If you need to talk about your own fears, discuss them with another adult NOT your child.”

Next week we will also spend some extra time in class talking with our students about safety (of course, without referencing this case). If there are any specific points you would like us to address, or if you have any other concerns you’d like to discuss with us, please don’t hesitate to speak to us in person, email, or call.

* * *

How Can I Talk to My Children about the Leiby Kletzky Murder? 10 Tips Parents Need to Know

By Dr. Robyn Silverman, originally published at DrRobynSilverman.com

A horrific story about a 8 year old boy, Leiby Kletzky, gone missing, murdered and dismembered in Brooklyn this week, has parents wondering how to talk to their children about this tragedy. As a parent myself, all I wanted to do was shut my eyes, close my doors, and hold my children tight. It is every parent’s nightmare—not just because of the loss itself—not just because of the gruesome way this young boy died—but because of the senselessness of the murder. What was the motive? Why this boy? Or perhaps more accurately, could it have just as easily been mine? Read the full article →

By Sensei Serge Sognonvi and Carmen Sognonvi, originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

It’s always disheartening to hear about martial arts students who behave in ways that contradict the teachings of martial arts, but this story is particularly distressing.

A 16-year-old black belt lost a sparring match at the 2011 Junior Olympics and National Championships held over 4th of July weekend in San Jose, CA.

Later in the day, he found his opponent sitting on the sidelines, and kicked him so hard in the face that the boy was hospitalized and needed immediate surgery.

More from the San Jose Mercury:

At the end of the match, the New Yorker was declared the winner when the Floridian lost points through deductions for fouls.

About 20 minutes later, witnesses said, the Floridian came back into the arena.

He approached the New York boy, who was sitting in a chair, had no protective headgear on and was scouting his next opponent.

Letting out a martial arts scream, the Floridian with a second-degree black belt whirled around, delivering a roundhouse kick to the face of the oblivious New Yorker, according to witnesses. Martial arts experts say this is one of the most powerful and dangerous kicks.

His bare heel struck the boy just below the nose, knocking out some of his teeth, witnesses said. Doctors later told the victim’s parents and coach that the foot missed by inches driving the victim’s nose bone back into his skull and killing him.

J.W. Suh, the coach of the injured athlete, said he was sitting nearby and heard the loud thwack of the foot striking the teen’s face. It sounded, he said, liked a foot hitting a leather target bag.

The police booked the boy on a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon but because the boy wasn’t gang-affiliated and not considered an immediate threat, the police cited him and release him to his parents.

Meanwhile, the taekwondo association is considering banning the boy from the sport for life.

What kind of consequences do you think the boy should face for his actions? And what do you think led to his attack? Can this be blamed on his martial arts instructor or parents? Or do you think he should be held solely responsible for his actions?

Photo Credit: purplemattfish on Flickr

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By Sensei Serge Sognonvi and Carmen Sognonvi, originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

Australian Muay Thai champion “John” Wayne Parr has found himself in the midst of controversy, as media outlets criticize his decision to let his 8-year-old daughter “Princess” Jasmine Parr fight in a kickboxing match.

Outlets such as Nine News played up the medical risks of such a fight:

Medical experts said the girls were being put at risk of a brain injury by fighting at such a young age.

“That type of recreation poses significant dangers for a whole range of different injuries,” Kellie Wilson, the trauma coordinator at Sydney Children’s Hospital, told Nine News.

But blog Head Kick Legend points out that these criticisms are largely baseless:

Those who have taken exception to young Jasmine Parr’s foray into kickboxing have advanced largely baseless arguments centered on safety concerns. Of course, Parr’s daughter was fully equipped with protective gear as a competitor of her age – or even an amateur adult competitor – would be. It’s difficult to claim that Parr’s daughter entered the competitive arena with any less attention paid to safety than is afforded those who compete in other areas of youth athletics.

What do you think of this story? Was it dangerous for these two young girls to fight? Or are people just not familiar with the kind of sparring that happens at martial arts tournaments/matches for kids?

Photo Credit: Nine News

Just $179 for 6 Weeks of Classes!

Get 6 weeks of karate classes, plus a free karate uniform and T-shirt ($60 value) for just $179! Enter your email address below to see schedule and details.

By Sensei Serge Sognonvi and Carmen Sognonvi, originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

Next time you find yourself making excuses why you’re not getting any exercise, think about Graham Newton in Norwich, England.

He’s a 68-year-old man who has just taken up karate and rollerskating to keep himself in shape!

The Norwich Evening News 24 has more:

Martial arts is just one way Graham is keeping himself in tip-top condition – he also goes roller skating once a week in Norwich with his ten-year-old son. In fact it’s a sporting Sunday for Graham as he goes to his karate lesson in the morning and just after lunch he puts on his skates for an hour on the rink.

“My ten-year-old son was the one who got me into karate and roller skating,” says Graham. “Many people ask me if I can actually keep upright when roller skating, but it’s just like riding a bike – it’s something that you never forget. All I do is make sure that I get my balance and then I’m away!

“I’m not as light on my feet as I used to be and I do find that it is harder to keep up in lessons and on the skating rink, but this doesn’t mean that I cannot exercise.

“The more I do, the more I find I can do.

“If you think that just because you are older you cannot do the things you used to do, think again. I’m living proof that you can do anything no matter what it is whatever your age and ability. It’s never too late to start exercising.”

We love your attitude, Mr. Newton!

Photo Credit: Antony Kelly for Norwich Evening News 24

Are you ready to get in shape?

If so, check out our kickboxing and mixed martial arts class and call us at 718-287-5500 to book your orientation today!

By Sensei Serge Sognonvi and Carmen Sognonvi, originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

A couple weeks ago we told you about the teen girl who used karate to fight off her attacker in Olympia, Washington.

We just came across another incident of a woman using karate to defend herself, this time in New Zealand.

The New Zealand Herald has the details:

Two thugs got more than they bargained for when they attacked a young Wellington woman as she walked home from a nightshift at the weekend.

The 18-year-old was walking along Taranaki St, near the Salvation Army store and the old Amalgamated Video building, about 6.15am on Saturday when she noticed a man watching her. When she passed him, he attempted to grab her and pull her towards his vehicle, a maroon four-door car.

They found they were no match for the waitress who floored the pair by using her martial arts skills.

Police said they were impressed with the young woman’s bravery.

“Luckily the victim has several years of karate experience and was able to fight the offender off, however, a second man attempted to grab her handbag over her shoulder. She managed to punch him before she fell to the ground,” Detective Sergeant Shane Dye said.

Detective Sergeant Dye said the victim luckily managed to fend off her attackers and make her escape.

Are you a woman who’s interested in learning self-defense?

If so, check out our kickboxing and mixed martial arts class and call us at 718-287-5500 to book your orientation today!

By Sensei Serge Sognonvi and Carmen Sognonvi, originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

Karate and farming. What do the two have to do with each other?

In Flint, Michigan, a husband-and-wife team who both hold black belts are combining karate and farming in an attempt to revitalize their neighborhood.

Their efforts have been so successful that they’re being recognized with a number of awards, as this Associated Press article outlines:

Two black belts who’ve paired karate and urban farming in a push to revitalize a Flint-area neighborhood are being honored with the Small Farmer of the Year award for Michigan.

Jacky King runs a karate school and the Harvesting Earth Educational Farm with his wife, Dora. The Flint Journal reports the couple beat out farmers in Isabella and Ionia counties for the award. Jacky King says they were “shocked” and “thrilled” with the honor.

Photo Credit: Alejandro Espinosa via Flickr

Are you ready to get in shape?

If so, check out our kickboxing and mixed martial arts class and call us at 718-287-5500 to book your orientation today!

By Sensei Serge Sognonvi and Carmen Sognonvi, originally published at http://www.urbandojo.com/blog

Detractors sometimes say that karate is too performance-based, and that it doesn’t equip you with practical self-defense skills.

A 16-year-old girl in Olympia, Washington would argue otherwise.

According to The Olympian, the girl was recently attacked by a man who hit her in the back of the head with a heavy object. The girl fought back. She kicked him in the groin, and then landed a hard punch in his face.

Her father believes the skills she picked up at her karate school saved her life:

The father of a 16-year-old girl who fought off an attacker and ran away Thursday said he thinks the karate lessons she had been taking for about a month helped her defend herself.

“Oh yeah, big time it helped,” said William Givens, whose daughter suffered a mild concussion when she was struck in the head from behind with a heavy object as she was walking on the trail in the woods near Pattison Lake. She also had minor cuts and bruises, he said.

Luckily, the girl’s attacker has been apprehended.

Photo Credit: Robbie Veldwijk via Flickr

Just $179 for 6 Weeks of Classes!

Get 6 weeks of karate classes, plus a free karate uniform and T-shirt ($60 value) for just $179! Enter your email address below to see schedule and details.