The room is dark, sweltering hot and filled with smoke. IB次元官网网址檓 surrounded by black pads that are smashing into me from all sides. They part and a flash of white light illuminates one of the largest men I have ever seen. He takes a swing at me. I duck, my mind goes blank and my body takes over. I strike him. Again and again, anywhere I can find an opening. He throws me to the ground but IB次元官网网址檓 back on my feet, charging at him.
Amidst the chaos the safe word rings out and everything stops. The scenario is over. In all, it probably only lasted 10 seconds.
B次元官网网址淢ost street fights last between eight to 10 seconds,B次元官网网址� explained Kris Greffard, adding itB次元官网网址檚 important to experience how exhausting that can be both mentally and physically. B次元官网网址淭he goal of that is to see what your body is capable of.B次元官网网址�
IB次元官网网址檝e spent the last six months training with Greffard and her husband, Francois, as a part of their integrated street combatives (ISC) junior program. The Langford-based duo owns and operates Sheepdog Self Protection Inc.
ISC is an B次元官网网址渆clecticB次元官网网址� style of self-protection B次元官网网址� not self-defence, that term implies youB次元官网网址檙e already a victim. ItB次元官网网址檚 a combination of mixed martial arts and law enforcement control tactics that are taught in a way so that they are easy to apply in a stressful situation.
What sets it apart from mixed martial arts is that students train in a variety of situations and scenarios. Greffard noted students are pushed to their limits, training in hot or cold, deprived of some of their senses, with or without lights, on all surfaces, in all weather.
B次元官网网址淭hese are all things youB次元官网网址檙e going to face in a real life fight,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭he environments we train in, there are no rules and thereB次元官网网址檚 no cheating when there are no rules B次元官网网址� The only rule on the streets is survival.B次元官网网址�
In ISC everyone is given a nickname. This allows participants to train with the imagination and emotion required to mentally prepare for a physical altercation. When youB次元官网网址檙e training for a potentially life or death situation, it can be hard to mentally get to the right place when youB次元官网网址檙e facing off against a loved one, friend or teammate.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 difficult for the body to go where the mind hasnB次元官网网址檛,B次元官网网址� Greffard explained.
I am Cucumber. I was given the name because IB次元官网网址檓 cool and collected in a stressful situation B次元官网网址� namely when someone is yelling in my face. While that can be a positive when it comes to de-escalating a situation, itB次元官网网址檚 not the best when trying to get into that fighting mentality.
A large part of the beginning of the program is teaching students how to walk and talk their way out of a confrontation. B次元官网网址淎s soon as I go hands on with someone my risk of injury sky rockets,B次元官网网址� Greffard said, adding youB次元官网网址檙e always better off avoiding physical fights.
But that isnB次元官网网址檛 always possible so ISC also teaches students how to identify potential attackers and increases your overall presence. As a significant number of attacks are crimes of opportunity, predators will usually look for someone that will be an easy target.
ISC helps students increase their physical fitness, build confidence, increase their situational awareness and become more assertive. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 whatB次元官网网址檚 going to prevent attacks,B次元官网网址� Greffard explained. B次元官网网址淚t makes you safer.B次元官网网址�
But while nothing will completely protect you, ISC B次元官网网址減rovides you with the skills to come out on top.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 a transformation, Greffard said she sees within a couple months from students. B次元官网网址淭hat translates directly to how you carry yourself in the workplace and approach problems B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 really nice to see that transformation.B次元官网网址�
It hasnB次元官网网址檛 been an easy six months. Students are assigned a barf bucket at the beginning of class and some use them. I just didnB次元官网网址檛 eat anything after 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Instructors and senior students push you, sometimes close to breaking, but thatB次元官网网址檚 the point B次元官网网址� getting comfortable being uncomfortable.
Greffard started ISC when she was 19. A friend suggested they check out a class after a ball game. B次元官网网址淚t was an awful experience,B次元官网网址� she said of that first class, adding it was the hardest 25 minutes of physical activity she had ever done.
In the midst of the workout, sweat pouring off, the instructor when down to a plank position beside her and proceeded to call her every derogatory name he could think of, adding that since she was a woman she had no place in the class and should just give up now since she wouldnB次元官网网址檛 make it past the second class.
B次元官网网址淚 look back at that and go B次元官网网址榟ow dare you tell me what I canB次元官网网址檛 accomplish,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� she said, adding it motivated her to return.
ItB次元官网网址檚 a tactic used by instructors to push students. It allows them to face the verbal and mental components of a fight and be prepared for that during a physical confrontation. B次元官网网址淓verybody has these inner demons and itB次元官网网址檚 better to face those in a controlled environment and not on the street,B次元官网网址� she explained, adding a personB次元官网网址檚 response can then be modified to one that would be beneficial in a fight.
B次元官网网址淪o many predators will use verbal intimidation to force their victims into submission B次元官网网址� we take away that stimuli.B次元官网网址�
Greffard went through the ISC program, advancing to the seniorsB次元官网网址� level and after a few years, she started to help out as instructor, then a lead instructor and has been been involved for roughly 14 years. It inspired her to get into law enforcement.
B次元官网网址淚 trained Francois B次元官网网址� and itB次元官网网址檚 been the best marriage counselling,B次元官网网址� she added with a laugh.
Sheepdog Self Protection was founded in February 2016. At eight months pregnant, the founder approached her and suggested she go out on her own with the ISC program. B次元官网网址淲ithin three months I had opened Sheepdog Self Protection, incorporated the company and had a baby,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 grown to be this wonderful thing.B次元官网网址�
It also continues to evolve. The next junior or beginner-level program, which starts on April 4, will also include more physical components of the police officers physical abilities test and others for those that are looking to pursue a career with law enforcement, corrections, security, military or similar.
B次元官网网址淥ver the years there have been a limited number of females B次元官网网址� [but] this next class that begins in April, the women are going to out number the guys,B次元官网网址� Greffard said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a program where people always take away something from it.B次元官网网址�
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