Taking it on the road.

To bring success you will need to take your skills , knowledge and attitude to those new students or practitioners that have never known you before. Be positive and presentable and go for the gold. What you know and train with is your nitch in life. Different martial arts have many different aspects that cater to everyone.

These are photographs of our studio that we had in Tempe , Arizona. One block from Arizona State University.

How some things appear.

In a time things seem to be rough. In a time that things don't seem to be what they appear to be. It is like really? Even the simplest things become the most vague and foggy. Is it because it is a series of events to be the primer of what is yet to come? Either way we shouldn't let it be dis-heartening. Remain strong and be able to stand against the tide. To be able to fend off any attack. Whether simple or mundane. Whether physical or mental. Be that one within that crowd standing above all. Not loudly. Being humble is the best prized manner.

Our Facebook is launched........

Please look us up on Facebook. Get the word out.

Going to Facebook also.......

Seems everyone is on Facebook. So I have decided that would be good for Guerrilla Tactics also. Once I have got it done I will announce it being ready and post it here Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.......

Master Todd Hezlitt

The Way

I find it amazing still even as a veteran to martial arts concerning how life just takes us on this wild ride. Some try so hard to steer in the perfect direction. And others mis-treat themselves and others thinking they need to. And others just go with the flow and what be will be. Life is like a river. Several ripples and places where the water just slows. Then there is rapids that eb and flow. We seek the the best path and some choose to be just like water , by choosing the easiest path of least resistance. My hopes is here are to draw my readers to think how they live and how they perform in their lives. Take notice and adjust to how you feel is right. Your mind and body will tell you if it is right or wrong. Thank you

Master Todd Hezlitt

Education

You can never get more than enough education. Not saying always find yourself in a classroom with four walls per say. Learning something new is a healthy way to live and your body and mind will respond to life sharper. Challenge yourself to reach further. Only you can limit what you learn. Use your mind.

Master Todd Hezlitt

Sensory Exclusion

This is a subject some may deny possible and others will guarantee it happens. I believe it is very plausible. Sensory exclusion occurs during a time of either traumatic events or during mortal combat whether your in the military , a cop , emt. Times of crisis. Most often than not sensory exclusion protects your body. Your sight , hearing , smell , speech. The human response is flight or fight. To make this possible our bodies respond with sensory exclusion. Sometimes during traumatic events our memory seems to shut down. When the body receives a crushing blow or so much pain it takes us beyond our threshold the memory is known to shut down. To protect us. We do see this in children in very unfortunate events. But it is still sensory exclusion.

I recall one of my own experiences with sensory exclusion when I was in active duty for the marines and we were repelling out of a CH-53 ( Sea Stallion ). I remember going down the fast rope and focusing on our mission at hand. And I did not hear the helicopter at all. I did not have ear plugs to drown out the sound. Now the rotor wash from this helicopter is usually stronger than other helicopters. So this should have been much louder. But due to the adrenaline and the stress of the operation my auditory abilities were shut down during my descent.

In a martial arts scope of sensory exclusion my example will be a one on one fight. A fight that may be fueled by emotions and conflicting personalities. Each person gets so mad they start becoming mid-brain controlled. Not only due to the switch of what portion of the brain is being used , senses become limited. Depending on what the environment has to contribute will depend what senses are lost. Loud bangs or booms could effect the auditory senses. Fighting in the dark and bright flashes blind either person and their sight may be lost.

Sensory Exclusion is a good subject for practitioners within the martial arts community. Its a human event and response that all of us experience. We are warriors and must understand and learn how to harness this so it benefits us.

Master Todd Hezlitt

Jessy's question

Question : Where should I strike a female , in the groin or breast?

Answer :

Jessy

You must realize in a fight neither could be effective. It depends the severity of the fight. A small quick fight you could stun the attacker. But a long drawn out fight may not be effective. I know from fights I never felt anything till later. This could be the same for your situation. The body's response to trauma is definitely under-estimated. The body shuts its sensory system down so it can protect itself. Good thing is that it just does not happen for your opponent but you as well. I would strike in the neck. Cut your opponents oxygen and they will back off. I suggest a knife hand strike to the neck. Or if your opponent has hair , to grab a good clump. Throw your opponent away. ( Where the head goes the body will follow. ) For more information check out my blog.

Master Todd Hezlitt

Volume one soon to be in print.

So excited about this I had to post it even though its a bit early. Volume 1 of Guerrilla Tactics Self Defense. Its the first level of the basics that are taught. Anyone can pick this instructional book up and learn simple defense in any type of attack. It still needs to go to the printing but I wanted to reveal it early. I am also working on volume 2. This will be a book of more advanced techniques.

This book will be also offered in hard back.

Master Todd Hezlitt

Increase reflexes and tones!

Rubber band workout. Sounds silly doesn't it. But actually its the rubber bands or tubing we see in workout video's. I never see anyone really seriously say these would be good for anything but for losing weight. But they are. To increase your reflexes and tone and help create that muscle memory , I have found this is one way. You can carry them around with you. It doesn't take but ten minutes a few times a day to see the change.

The ideal length is two feet. And how you do it is you mimic the techniques you would use if you had free weights. I.e. Butterflies , hold each end of the band and pull it apart. But not completely. To the point of tension and then release. Repeat this as many times as you want.

For arm curls you could wrap the band around the leg and pull up till you have tension. Its little resistance and easy for anyone to do. But it increases your reflex action and what most athletes and practitioners know as fast twitch muscles. And the benefit of this is to help your muscle memory.

I use the bands all the time. Because I don't want bulk , I want speed and tone. And this is how I do it. Surgical tubing is also nice to use. Less flexible but different band strength is smart.

Try it and let me know how it turns out.

Master Todd Hezlitt

In thought

I can't help think how the economy has struck so many. Those who lived comfortable and made ends meet are now struggling. There is no budgeting for martial art classes. In a tighter economy we all feel it. I hope my blog has helped those who are not able to afford other instruction. Not that what I teach is any lesser than other practices. I know I offer my instruction here free. I believe every person should have the knowledge of self defense. If you follow my blog , let me know. Share your story with me and others during these hard times. A practitioner's wallet does not determine how much he is able to learn and know.

Master Todd Hezlitt

Don't forget your christmas was brought to you by someone that served !

Warriors , friends , family

Lets not forget those who are deployed. Serving our nation 110% We don't have to agree politically but lets come together to support those who sacrifice and serve. They wish they were home to. Let them know they are not forgotten nor the war they fight. We are there for them.

Semper Fi
Master Todd Hezlitt

Merry Christmas Warriors

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all warriors alike. May your holidays be safe and plentiful. After Christmas and New Years we intend to get more training up and running. Good things to come for those interested. We hope everyone has safe travels this holiday.

Master Todd Hezlitt

Happy Thanksgiving !!!! Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and eats enough to work off with performing your techniques. Have a safe holiday.

Master Todd Hezlitt

Halloween Safety

This is a message for you mom's and dad's. Halloween is fast approaching. Every year our children and some adults who think they are still kids at heart dress up to celebrate the holiday. It is a holiday to be celebrated with fun and safety. Many times we set out with our children with some fears, that if we can just take the few precautions we would have a better time. Halloween like Thanksgiving is a fall holiday. Halloween also marks the end of harvest season. The end of October marks the time that pastures and fields dry up. The animals were brought in from the pasture to be butchered and the remaining vegetables left in fields and gardens were left to rot. This part of the season often brought about reminisce of loved ones that were lost.

What ever may be the reason you may celebrate Halloween I wanted to add some safety tips so that you and your children can have a safer holiday.

1) When your children go out make sure they go with a group or with mom and dad.
2) Take a flashlight. Halloween is usually celebrated at sunset.
3) Go to homes that you know. It isn't a race to get candy. And collecting candy by car pool is not safe.
4) Before you allow your children to eat any of the candy, inspect it. Friends may have the best intentions but it is best to be safe.
5) Set a time limit if your children go out without you. Most towns , cities have curfews and will be enforced.
6) If they have costumes that limit visibility make them so your child can see vehicles safely.
7) For the little ones make the costumes visible or reflective. To go house to house they have to be on the roadway. This mixes vehicles with children.
8) Have your child memorize the home phone number. And most importantly they should know 911. In emergency contact information becomes vital.
9) Map out a route that you and your children will take. Have them and yourself carry copies of it. Congested areas you could be separated. Have the childs address and contact information on that map. And one step further take a snap shot of your child with the costume on and off.
10) My last step I'm going to list is Have Fun !!. There could be many more safety tips I could add but this list is able to be changed by each mom and dad. And its a holiday to be aware but also enjoy it. So Happy Halloween!! See ya out there.

Fall is here folks

Summer is now gone and the season is now fall. I like fall the most in New England. When the colors come alive. The tree's many different kinds lose thier leaves. Then it is also time for the holidays and that starts with halloween. I am fond of the holiday season. I also definitely like when the rockies are in thier fall season as well. The aspen tree's turning the mountains to gold and early snow sits on the peaks. Such a awsome sight nature provides. Even though this is the season when nature lies dormant for the oncoming of winter it does not mean its time for us to. As warriors and martial artists we need to stay reminded that our skills only stay as sharp as we practice. So I hope everyone not only prepares for the winter months but realize just because summer has past, does not provide the excuse to relax and not train. Training discipline comes from the heart and the mind. Keep on it. You will be happy with yourself later.

Light in the dark martial arts

Light in the dark martial arts is in Phoenix , Arizona. It is ran by a good professional friend of mine. Dustin Crouse and his partner Tim Street. Dustin being a part of the same lineage as I, is dedicated to teaching those survival. And by doing so the preservation of not only life but Dustin believes in the preservation of the warrior culture. I urge all those that live in Metro Phoenix to visit. This is something new but Dustin and Tim have years of training behind them that will provide inidividual attention and with one goal in mind. Self Defense. I to will be making several visits.

Steven Seagal

I would have to say being any of the criminals caught by Steven Seagal instantly became born again citizens. Congradulations to Mr. Seagal and thank you for your service.

Conversation on trainning

Good Morning !!!
I wanted to talk about the important aspects of trainning for a bit. After every incident or crisis we always have lasting memories. And sometimes these events are negative. But either way we need to see them as learning opportunities or trainning. So if they possibly happen again we can respond better. Or have a higher level of confidence. Can never be caught off our guard. Must always be ready but not live in paranoia. And trainning is important for this. The old saying " Train the way you fight." Is so true. You must always train the way you intend to react in crisis. If you fail to do so then you will be hurt seriously. Think about scenario's and how you would react. Then practice mentally and physically. And that is a key statement also. Train mentally. Picture yourself doing the technique and being the victor. Always see yourself win and not backing down. Defeat is not a option. Slow mental and physical trainning would suprise anyone who tries it for the first time or second. You actually create the muscle memory better this way. Then also within your trainning regiment throw in high impact trainning. Be versitile to how you train. Any other idea's that anyone would like to add please do so.