Saturday, November 26, 2011

EVOLVE OR DIE!

Would you rather be a Neanderthal or a Contemporary Human Being?




For a relatively young individual I have a spent a long time researching my own experiences utilizing the lens of Combative training, including Martial Art, Empty Hand and Weaponry, and other related tools that shape the physical human form. Such molding seems at first to be purely on a physical level, but to those few that have gone the distance with intensity, it is very much a psychological, emotional and even spiritual metamorphosis as well.

Over the past year I have been bombarded by questions about why I have switched, detoured or even re-vamped my training by moving away from some sources of information in the combative world. I thought I would share this salient response.

Evolve or Die !! Would you rather train in the original almost Paleolithic way, or would you rather evolve in the new advancements that others have pioneered in their own unique wisdom.

Take the Functional Edge System, that is developed by my friend and colleague Tony Torres. I just spent the last 2 weeks, training with and assisting in conducting programs for Law Enforcement, Military, Civilian and Private Security personnel. here is what I have seen against the backdrop of my previous training. Tony Torres, gives all respect due to his sources of information, which include Notable martial artists and Combative Trainers, like Dan Inosanto, Erik Paulson, Chai Sirisute, Tony Blauer etc. However he has taken the material to a completely different level. I have had the fortunate experience to train and work with some of those same trainers and others as well in my own journey and I can clearly see the differences and improvements.

And some in the industry see my training with and endorsement of Tony Torres, and his training evolutions as disloyal and a dishonorable departure from my own sources. So I have two initial responses:
Firstly try it and really immerse yourself and really compare and contrast and honestly say whether it does not hold its own in the industry. For instance I have seen many former trainers who had previous experience in the combative world have their epiphanies while reviewing the material.
Secondly I ask the question- Would you rather own a Model T or a Ferrari? Would you rather eat raw meat or Filet Mignon ? The original is fine. But progress is inevitable unless you are a Luddite.

The other improvements I have been fortunate and open minded enough to experience are in the world of Protective Equipment. For years there was the prototype and the only product in the space that we used. Now there is SPARTAN Training Gear. Not only has the company developed a Goddess suit, the first suit specifically designed to accommodate the anatomical differences of female participants, but they are working on another innovation with a K9 suit for Police trainers and their K9's. The main model- the Hoplite, is at first glance a colored version of another product with ABS. Those comments are really simplistic and uninformed. There are over 30 changes that were made to the original design that include Helmet re-design to allow better force distribution and cushioning, an improved visor that does not fog!! Any person who has used the other suits long enough have encountered the little mal-functions that make a big difference when training. For instance the Velcro straps that keep coming off, or the knee pads that offer little cushioning to the lateral angles etc. The point here is, since the first design from Nike from Prefontaine's ideas, many innovations have been made and to the undiscerning eye or in the tone of blind condemnation, the are just shoes, and rip offs of the original.

No one has a monopoly on genius and innovation. This is the way of the world. When you put your stuff out there in the universe it is going to influence, and stimulate other ideas etc. Read Malcolm Gladwell's  Book- What the Dog saw. and you will see a great chapter on Plagiarism etc. What is original exactly? I always laughed at people, who copyrighted ( or made their students believe that they did) sayings that originated from Bruce Lee or Tsun Tzu. Hell, even Bruce Lee's designs for a force on force suit look very similar to the ones we have now? Copy Cat? Come on . And guess what if you think I am a Bruce Lee Champion, my JKD colleague's may take offense to this at first glance, but know its true, alot fo the Philosophy of JKD, Lee's Art, came from an Indian philosopher J.N. Krishnamurti. Before MMA in the US, there was Pancrase, Lucha Libre, Shooto, and Kalari death matches. So come on, what is original.

I know for one, society has evolved leaps and bounds over eons of time. The unnatural thing is to resist the evolution. And nature has a funny way of promoting Evolution over stagnation.
Evolve or Die!!

Vit Singh - President, EMC USA

Friday, November 11, 2011

2012 Total Warrior: Tactical Training & Winning Mindset Camp



Location: Mineral Resort and Spas in Vernon, NJ. (Part of Crystal Springs Resorts)
                                   
Date: Friday, February 24th – Sunday, February 26th, 2012

Program: The Total Warrior: Tactical Training and Winning Mindset Training Camp

To Benefit: The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Cost: $199USD per person. Includes breakfast and lunch Saturday/Sunday. 
DOES NOT INCLUDE LODGING.
                                         

Awareness Training Consultants and Spartan Training Gear are proud to invite you to the inaugural TOTAL WARRIOR: TACTICAL TRAINING AND WINNING MINDSET CAMP.  This 3-day camp will provide Law Enforcement Officers the opportunity to enhance both body and mind with some of the latest Active Shooter & Advanced Weapon Instructor updates, firearms, SWAT/Tactical Team technology & updates, Officer Survival Fitness/Conditioning as well as “Winning Mindset” training and philosophies.

Law Enforcement/Military/Advanced Security Training Sessions
   Active Shooter Instructor Training Updates and Concepts (open to certified instructors)
   Advanced Weapons Instructor Training Updates         
   SWAT/Tactical Team Training Updates and Technology
   F-Grav 1-Day Combat Training and Conditioning: Building Fight Endurance and the “Winning Mindset”
   Coaching for an Edge: “Life after Law Enforcement”
   Functional Edge System: Street Striking for Law Enforcement Officers
   Team Building Fitness Training
   TACFIT/DEFTAC (Taught by members of the NYPD)

Confirmed 2012 Total Warrior Instructors include:
Coaching for an Edge: Karen Sullivan
TACFIT Police/CST: Miquel Rivera
Int’l Bulgarian Bag Confederation: Stephen Nave
Functional Edge Training: Tony Torres
Operational Protective Strategies: Sean Mulligan
Hans Hageman & Associates: Hans & Bernadette Hageman
ABLE Training Systems, LLC: Michael Panebianco
Team APC: Jose Medina and Team APC Cadre

Training Gear Supporters:
Spartan Training Gear: Marc Joseph
International Bulgarian Bag Confederation: Stephen Nave

You can register online here: http://www.apc360zone.com/25.html

You can also download an online, 'fillable' registration PDF form which can be emailed back to me here: http://tinyurl.com/3htxjah
All proceeds from the Total Warrior Camp will be donated to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Donations for this great cause can be made here: http://tinyurl.com/3msuacm

For more information please email Team APC at: totalwarrior@apc360zone.com
ALL PROCEEDS FROM THIS EVENT WILL BE DONATED TO THE NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL FUND



Thursday, November 3, 2011

2012 Total Warrior: Tactical Training & Winning Mindset Camp


Spartan Training Gear Media Release
The Total Warrior: Tactical Training and Winning Mindset Camp
February 24th-26th, 2012   

Vernon, New Jersey- Awareness Protective Consultants, in collaboration with Spartan Training Gear, is proud to invite you to this inaugural event geared towards Law Enforcement Officers, military/corporate/security trainers, educators, fitness trainers/enthusiasts, martial artists, businessmen & women and anyone looking to take themselves, and their training. This event will take place at the gorgeous Minerals Spas and Resorts in Vernon, NJ. on February 24th-26th, 2012 and proceeds will be donated to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. This event will bring together, for the first time, a group of the world’s elite trainers including:
“Life after Law Enforcement”: Karen Sullivan of Coaching for An Edge
Functional Edge System Vs Street Striking: Tony Torres of Functional Edge System 
TACFIT/DEFTAC: Miguel Rivera of TACFIT Police
Bulgarian Bag Fitness Training: Stephen Nave of The Int’l Bulgarian Bag Confederation
Active Shooter Instructor Updates and Concepts: Bryan Doel of Team APC
Advanced Weapons Instructor Training Updates: John Zamrok of Team APC 
Tactical Team Training Updates and Technology: Arthur Randolph of Team APC 
Fgrav 1 day Combative Training and Conditioning:  Patrick Devlin/Jose Medina of Team APC 
Striking Through Chaos: Hans E. Hageman of Hans Hageman & Associates, LLC
FUBAR: Mindset For Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Mike Panebianco of Able Coaching
Circular Strength Training: Connecting The Dots: Will Chung
This promises to be a family-oriented, fun-filled weekend of functional fitness, life-coaching & self-defense which will showcase new and improved ways of getting both your body and mind in peak condition. Also offered during the event will be training sessions aimed at providing self- improvement for individuals & teams, corporate fitness team workouts and tactical training & fitness specific to the law enforcement and military communities. 
Book your spot now and come join the Total Warrior: Task Force 360 Team for this unprecedented training weekend and help support the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.  
For more information on the camp email: totalwarrior@apc360zone.com or contact: 1-866-634-3373 and ask for Jose Medina. 
SUPPORT THE CAUSE: JOIN THE CAMP! GET FOCUSED! GET FIT