The holiday season is a great time to shop. We tend to buy more around the holidays than any other time of the year. With this increase in buying also comes the increase in thefts.

Here are a few tips to keep you safe this holiday season:

Make sure you take time to check your surroundings whether you are at a strip mall or in a parking garage always check to see who’s around you.

Check your surroundings!

If you are leaving after dark, ask a security guard to walk you to your car.

Although we do not like the inconvenience of making multiple trips out to the car to drop off purchases, doing so can prevent you from being an easy target. Thieves look for over-loaded shoppers as easy targets to hit first. 

Be aware of other shoppers at the check-out counters. There are times that thieves use this as an opportunity to see how much cash shoppers have on them. When making big purchases use a credit card or check. This tip can prevent you from being robbed for your cash. 

In closing, use common sense. Throughout the holidays, we are rushing around too much. Slow down and enjoy this time of year and make sure you keep your safety a priority.

Trinity is offering our next  Are You Prepared? 5 week self-defense seminar Wednesday January 11th from 7:00pm – 8:30pm.  The seminar is available for the first 20 to sign up. We are close to half-full right now. Call now to reserve your spot.

Our society is ruled by the media. Whether we admit it or not, it’s true. Whatever the media focuses on, we, as a society tend to lean toward.

The topic I’m referring to today is our safety and awareness.

AYP? Instructor Kathleen Kitt demonstrating a proper knee attack

Our lives are no less or more in danger today, than they were yesterday or will be tomorrow. However, when a woman is raped, murdered or kidnapped, then we start to fear for our safety and take actions to protect ourselves.

Are You Prepared?

However, as soon as the tragic incident fades from the headlines of the news reports, many of us fail to take action to empower ourselves, and we’re right back to our typical daily lives without missing a beat.

Several years ago, Jennifer Ewing, was raped and murdered on the Silver Comet trail. Our self-defense program was featured on every major television station and a few radio stations.

I offered a FREE 1 hour introduction to our 5 week self-defense course, “Are You Prepared?” every Wednesday for 5 weeks in a row.

The first two weeks were packed with participants. Week three the numbers dropped and by week five of the free classes, there was only a handful taking advantage of the class.

It was only five weeks after this horrible tragedy that had women fearful of the Silver Comet trail, afraid to go to Stone Mountain and changing their lives for fear of being raped and murdered and most had already forgotten the fear and uncertainty of not being prepared for an attack.

Why is that we only take action after something tragic has taken place?

We start eating healthy only after the triple bypass, we stop using credit cards after we’re up to our eye balls in debit and we learn to defend ourselves only after someone else has been brutally murdered.

Why is that?

We can’t have enough self-defense classes when folks are in a panic, but can’t seem to get anyone’s attention when there’s nothing on the news to scare us into action.

Are You Prepared? course

It’s been awhile since the news last reported on attacks and victims. And it’s a positive thing is that no attacks have made the news, but the bad news is that we aren’t taking our safety into our own hands.

Without the proper training, when an attack does happen, it will be too late and we could be stuck with the regretful “shoulda, coulda woulda’s”.

Are You Prepared?

Our last self-defense course of 2011 starts Wednesday, October 5th at 7pm.

There are only 2 people signed up!

Why?

Good Question.

I recently talked to several ladies that were interested in self-defense, but missed a previous class, they now say they either don’t have time or they don’t need it anymore.

Don’t need it anymore? I asked one if she had found another course. Her reply was nothing seems to be as bad anymore.

It’s unfortunate that we live by the rules of the media and if it’s not brought to our attention, we don’t think about it or feel we need it.

No, most people will never have to use self-defense or find themselves in a situation that will require them to think fast while being grabbed from behind, but there will be those who do.

Elbow Defense

The only way to keep your cool, understand and assess the situation, attack your attacker and escape is to have the proper training, and seriously taking the time to develop your plan of action for such a situation. Without a plan, no one will react the way they wish they had.

If you’re ready to be able to confidently say, “I AM PREPARED!” there’s still time to register for this course.

Check it out at, “ARE YOU PREPARED?”

Start Strong, Finish Stronger!

Nathan

Unfortunately, spring and summertime are prime seasons for attackers and rapists.

Why?

As the temperatures rise, we spend more time outside, and we shed the bulky jeans and sweaters for tight running shorts and tops.

The first tip to staying safe is where and when you run.

If you run early in the morning or late at night, find a running partner.  If that’s not an option, a dog is a great deterrent. If you still decide to go it alone, be aware of your surroundings at all times and leave the head phones at home.

Second, be careful using head phones.

A lot of runners and walkers wear head phones because listening to music passes the time and keeps runners motivated. When the music is blaring in your ears, however, you can’t hear the person next to you, let alone an attacker on your heels. Rather than putting both ear pieces in, leave one out so you can hear everything around you, including cars and other traffic hazards.

The next tip is to have a partner.

A running or biking partner can help on those days when you feel little motivation.  They provide support and often make the activity much more enjoyable.  Most importantly, a partner can keep you safer on trails where there aren’t too many people around.  

Keep in mind attackers want easy targets.  While it’s true that desperation can cause an attacker to approach a group, this seldom happens.  You have a greater chance of being avoided if there is someone with you.

Also, always carry a cell phone.

What would we do without cell phones?  Don’t talk on your cell phone unless it’s an emergency!  Cell phones are equipped with a form of GPS, and they can give the police and other emergency personnel your exact location.

The final tip for this newsletter is even when you’re heading back to your car, don’t put your guard down until you’re in your car, with your doors locked and driving away safely. Make sure you’re aware of everyone and everything around your vehicle.

*These are excerpts from week 3 of Trinity’s self-defense course, Are You Prepared?

All of these tips are for avoiding potentially dangerous situations before they happen. However, what do you do if you are approached and the only option is to fight back? We cover all physical aspects of self-defense in Trinity’s 5 week course, Are You Prepared? If you’re interested in taking the course, please call the gym at 404.966.KICK or go to Are You Prepared? for more information.

Although we don’t like to think about it, violence is an unfortunate fact of life.

Effective self-defense is about agility, attitude, and awareness –  three components that reinforce each other.

The stronger and more fit you are, and the quicker your reaction time,  the more confident you are that you can react swiftly and creatively to threats – throwing a punch, aiming a kick, running away, or doing whatever it takes.

Trinity Self-Defense instructor, Steven Carter, assisting with kicking drills during an "Are You Prepared?" seminar

Confidence generates a “hands-off” attitude that can discourage would-be attackers.

The discipline and focus you develop while getting and staying in shape make you more alert, aware of activity in your immediate environment. That awareness increases your responsiveness to sudden moves, odd sounds, and other “danger cues” that require decisive action.

Disciplines such as tae kwon do and kickboxing teach excellent skills such as kicking and punching that can be applied to staying safe day-to-day.

Self-defense classes focus specifically on practical, simple moves to stave off attacks.

But whatever fitness activity you pursue, take time to think about the practical applications of the coordination, muscle strength and self-esteem you’re gaining.

Remember: ability, attitude and awareness can spell the difference between being a victim and becoming a criminal’s worst nightmare.

Not a hard choice to make.

Wednesday, September 2nd is the first night of Trinity’s “Are You Prepared?” 5 week course. We are offering $150 OFF the program. (regular price $399)

Are You Prepared? students

We only have 4 spots remaining!

This could very well be the last 5 week course of the year. Don’t put your safety on hold. It just may be too late!

Check out a CBS 46 video of Trinity’s self-defense program on our website. “Are You Prepared?”

Learning how to bring an attacker down to size!

You’ve studied for a test, a presentation at work or trained for a sporting event.

When it was time to act, your preparation gave you the confidence in your ability to perform under the pressure,
but, what about in a self-defense situation?

What would happen if today, after work, you were approached by someone as you walked to your car?

What would you do if someone stopped you at your doorstep and pushed you into your house?

What would happen if at a stop light, you find yourself sitting next to a carjacker who just got in the unlocked passenger side of your car?

What would you do?

Are you prepared for these and many other situations you could find yourself in at anytime?

We successfully completed another 5 week course last Wednesday June 24,2009. This was the third course this year.
Normally we only have three per year.

Why did we decide to add another one to the schedule?

Because women are calling in and wanting to take action NOW!!

We hear from government officials, crime is under control, but is it really?

While police say crime is under control, Ga. Tech students are being held at gun point and robbed in their houses, women are being attacked in their apartment complexes and people can’t even walk to local attractions (Centennial Olympic park) without being held up and robbed.

So, what can you do about it?

What steps can you take to make sure you and your family is protected?

Don’t leave your safety and the safety of those around you to anyone else.

Take responsibility for yourself!

These women are prepared!

Feel empowered,

Build self-confidence,

And learn real techniques that can save your life if you have to fight back!

Check this out!

http://www.cbsatlanta.com/video/19879037/index.html

AJC article pic.

Last night was the first of our 5 week self-defense program. I’m really excited about this group. Everyone is extremely into the course and has a specific purpose for being here.

We usually don’t have an AYP? course this close to summer. With vacations and summertime fun, many people can’t find the “commitment level” necessary to complete the entire program.

I felt it was necessary to have another course, due to the overwhelming increase in crime in the Atlanta area.

Although this group is smaller than our normal class, they will definitely get their share of hands on training with the instructors.

I’ll keep you posted on their progress throughout the next 5 weeks.