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Jeffrey Miller's Articles

  • 3 Keys to Effective Self-Defense
    When you think of a self-defense situation, what are the top three considerations for being effective? Is it having strength, stamina, power, or a lot of techniques?
  • The Martial Art of Ninjutsu: 3 Lessons of the Ninja's Kamae
    In the Ninja's art of unarmed combat known as ninpo-taijutsu, there is the core lesson of kamae - the use of effective body positioning. Other martial arts might refer to this strategic positioning of the body as "stances," but the Ninja sees kamae as an outward manifestation of the inner workings of his or her heart, rather than a fixed position dictated by one's style.
  • 7 Reasons Why Most Workplace Violence Plans Are Flawed From the Beginning
    Like many policies, procedures, and programs designed and implemented in the corporate environment, workplace violence plans are typically designed by those with absolutely no knowledge or background in handling violence or aggression. And, as any self-protection expert, will tell you, what seems logical and sounds like it should work on paper, is exactly the opposite in a real world situation!
  • Martial Arts and Real-World Self-Defense: Using the Kubotan Self-Defense Keychain
    The most surprising thing that students find when learning to use the Kubotan self-defense keychain, is just how many things can be done with this simple-looking little tool. And that, is part of it's power!
  • A Martial Artist Wears Out Early But A Warrior Gets Better With Age
    Ever wonder why Today's martial artists are broken and battered by middle age when the ancient warrior masters were defeating younger, faster, stronger opponents well into their eighties? The reason just might not be what you think.
  • "Kick Me Where It Counts": A Critical Mistake in Martial Arts and Self-Defense Training
    During my recent visit to Japan for training, there was one overriding thing that I noticed about most of the black belts that I trained with. Now, if they were just having fun and aren't really looking to be able to defend themselves...
  • Martial Arts & Self-Defense Weapons: What IS a "Kubotan"?
    If you do a search on the internet, there seems to be no end to what has been written about this simple, yet powerful weapon. There seems to be no small supply of writers who have used dramatic titles to add to the impact of an otherwise so-so article on the subject.
  • Kubotan: Self-Defense Power in the Palm of Your Hand
    Have you ever heard of a Kubotan, min-stick, or self-defense keychain? Whether you have or haven't...
  • Using the Kubotan Self-Defense Keychain as a Model for Using Everyday Items to Protect Yourself
    One of the key elements that separates the Ninja's self-protection methods, including the study of weapons like the Kubotan self-defense keychain, from many other approaches to self-defense training is the concept of "strategic thinking." And one of the ways that this important mindset manifests is through the ability to see through the "form" to what's really going on.
  • 7 Really Good Reasons You Need to Learn to Use the Kubotan Self-Defense Keychain
    Ironically, in a world filled with terrorism, assault, rape, and murder, I have to write an article giving people reasons why they should be learning self-defense or the Kubotan personal-protection weapon. But then, if I didn't, who would?
  • In the Ninja Warrior's Martial Art of Ninjutsu - Practice Makes Perfect
    In the ninja's martial arts, just as with everything else in life, experience brings many benefits. The more a person does something, the greater the level of confidence, understanding, and proficiency they will have...
  • Nana Korobi Ya Oki - '7 Times Down 8 Times Up': Success Secrets from the Martial Art of Ninjutsu
    On the left lapel of every adult student here at Warrior Concepts, there is a patch bearing the Japanese kanji character 'NIN.' Although the kanji itself has two pronunciations in Japanese, it is the original Chinese meaning of "perseverance," "to endure," or "to put up with" that we...
  • True Martial Arts and the Job of a Warrior
    The martial arts and the concept of self-protection is much more than mere punching and kicking, or the development of skill with a weapon. Just as a martial artist or, in the grander sense, a...
  • Martial Arts Training for Real Self-Defense: Making Sense of Chaos
    I once had a talk with a student who pointed out the almost insane notion that anyone could think that they could use a preset string of moves (known as a kata, pronounced kah-tah) to handle something as chaotic as a fight.
  • Leadership: The Cornerstone of Success in the Martial Arts and In Life
    Leadership is one of the most talked about and least understood aspects of human behavior. There must be hundreds of definitions of leadership, yet none of them is useful for success in life because none of them allows you to 'create' leadership within your life.
  • Is All This Martial Arts Training Gear Necessary?
    While this piece was written directed at parents of youth members, adult students should keep all of the relevant safety points in mind. Remember: Safety and vigilance are not 'things' to do. They are constant states of mind.
  • No Martial Arts or Self-Defense Technique is Perfect
    Far too many people who are training in the martial arts or in a self-defense program - including police and security personnel by-the-way - take for granted that all they have to do is learn a few tricks and that's it. When, according to the reality and...
  • Ninjutsu Martial Arts Strategy: Key Moments & Phases in a Self-Defense Situation
    A major pivoting point in my ninjutsu martial arts learning process happened when I realized that there was something more going on than just the punching, kicking, and what-not, that makes up conventional martial arts and self-defense training. In fact...
  • The Karate-Myth: Why Most Martial Arts and Self-Defense Programs Are Wrong
    You know, when I first started learning how to protect myself through the martial arts, the training was almost entirely focused on the memorization and performance of the technique...But, that performance was tied more to duplicating a string of "moves" than it was on...the successful resolution of the situation
  • Failure is Not an Option! - "Attitude" and the Keys to Martial Arts Mastery, Key #7
    One of the most important traits of any successful person is an attitude of total commitment and passion for what it is that they are doing. They see their goal; they devise a plan for reaching it; and, the set about doing what is necessary to attain that goal.
  • Flexibility, Adaptibility, and The Keys to Martial Arts Mastery, Key #8
    "Flexibility is the Key to Longevity." Think about that statement for a moment. "Do you understand what that means?"
  • ENGAGEMENT: Recognizing the Value of Training - The Keys to Martial Arts Mastery, Key #6
    Remember when you first started training? Can you remember what brought you to the program? What was going on in your life at the time. What is it that the martial arts gives you or helps you with that keeps you coming to class? And, more importantly..."how do you know it's working in your life?"
  • Ninjutsu Martial Arts Training - Don't Depend on Weapons for Self-Defense
    Weapons should be a part of any sound self-defense and martial arts program, training, and strategy. However, far too many people rely on a quick-fix. The false assumption by many well-inentioned people concerned about self-defense issues is that there is a "best" weapon that will make up for not having self-defense skills in the first place.
  • DECISIVENESS: - Single-Minded Commitment to Greatness - The Keys to Martial Arts Life Mastery #5
    I remember talking to one of my teachers once about the traits of a master leader. 'The' trait that lay at the center, or formed the foundation for all of these others was: "Decisiveness" - 'the simple ability to make a decision.'
  • DESHI-IRI - 'Becoming a Student of an authentic Ninpo Warrior Martial Arts Teacher'
    Unlike the conventional view of beginning martial arts training today, in the past there was an actual "method for becoming a student" under an authentic warrior arts teacher. This method was known as Deshi-iri...
  • Personal Development & Success - "Creating the Motivation You Need"
    One of the most common beliefs that can prevent someone from achieving the success being sought is that "action only happens through motivation" - that, one must wait around for the so-called "feeling to move me" before anything will be accomplished. But, once we understand how we operate, once we discover the secret...
  • Ninjutsu - The Ninja's Mikkyo Mind-Science and the Magic of Asking "Why?"
    In the philosophical teachings of the Ninja's Mikkyo mind-science that forms the foundation for our Warrior Concepts Life Mastery Program, there are three areas of focus that allow the Ninja Warrior to always achieve his or her goals.
  • Martial Arts for Children - A Note to Parents About Motivation Problems and Child Development
    Often parents of children in martial arts, or other educational activities, experience resistence from their child that may appear as though the child doesn't want to do it anymore. The parent's frustration turns to confusion as the child's resistence turns to excitement when they're actual in class. Why is this?
  • Can You Really Learn Martial Arts and Self-Defense From Seminar Training Only?
    What do you do when, you want to pursue the study of the martial arts or learn real-world self-defense and there are no schools near where you live? What do you do even if there are martial arts schools or self-defense classes being offered in your local area but...
  • Workplace Violence: A Growing Concern
    Workplace violence has become one of the biggest concerns for managers, corporate executives and Human Resource Departments in the past several years. In fact, the shear number of incidents of workplace violence is staggering...
  • Workplace Violence - 8 Tips For Spotting Early Warning Signs
    One of the greatest threats facing both employees and the companies they work for, is workplace violence. It has become the leading cause of death for women and the second leading for men, following closely behind motor vehicle accidents.
  • Women's Self-Defense - Why Most Programs Are Wrong
    Women's self defense issues are constantly in the news and a 'hot' topic for conversations. In fact, the number one concern from women, especially single women in the dating world, is rape. The truth is though, that many of the same techniques and tactics taught to men for self-protection simply will not work for a woman. Why?...
  • Self-Defense Within Martial Arts Training Demands a Real-World Perspective
    We accept the need for medical insurance but most people never give a thought to adding self-defense to their personal wellness program. But, if you do not know what a real fight is like, how will you be able to train properly for an real-life situation?
  • The Best Self-Defense Strategy - The 6 Phases of a Perfect Self-Defense Plan
    Contrary to popular belief, there is a big difference between a fight and a self-defense situation. While both may look the same on a physical, combative level, the reason that each participant is there is very different. As a general rule, a fight is a contest involving two or more...
  • A Self-Defense Reality - A Reason to Study Reality-Based Martial Arts & Self-Defense
    Imagine, if you will...

    A woman walking across a dark parking lot late at night - perhaps on her way to meet her date. The lot, apparently occupied only by the vehicles parked there and the occasional cat hunting for an evening snack.

    Then, as if from out of nowhere, she feels the hard, meaty arm slam into her throat...
  • Self-Defense - Choosing to be a Survivor Instead of a Victim
    We've all seen the news stories. They fill a good portion of the evening news and the daily papers - both online and in print. Dating, working, on vacation - no life situation seems to be safe from the possibility of attack.

    Have you ever wondered...

    What if the victims in many of these stories had properly prepared themselves for...
  • Reality-Based Self-Defense: 19 Principles You Must Know for Surviving a Real-World Street Attack
    Real-world self-defense is a very serious matter. These days, women are concerned about the risks of dating, parents and others see self-defense as a part of a sound wellness plan... You must remember that you're not training for a sport competition, where the only thing on the line is a shiny trophy or a new martial art belt.
  • Emotion-Based Defensive Response - A Non-Traditional Martial Arts Approach to Self-Defense
    When discussing self-defense training, we really need to be discussing more than just learning some tricks and techniques for dodging punches or escaping locks and holds. Why then, are most instructors content with stopping at, and most students satisfied with learning, self-defense in a vaccuum?
  • Reality-Based Self-Defense Training - 19 Principles That Will Save Your Life!
    When it comes to your personal protection, the program you choose to study, the way you train, and the person who teaches you, all determine how well, and even IF, you will be successful in a real-world self-defense encounter. When seeking out a defensive tactics program, you must remember that you're not shopping for a piece of furniture where, if it doesn't work out for you, you can take it back.
  • Desire to Begin Martial Arts Training - What's Stopping You?
    Everyday, hundreds and perhaps thousands of men and women think about taking martial arts lessons. The vast majority are, more-often-than not, trapped in this "thinking about it" stage and will never take that next, most important step to making it happen. And, it's sad really.

    While the reasons vary as to why each person wants to involve themselves...
  • Suggestions for Getting the Best Martial Arts Training - Attending Ninja Camps and Seminars
    One of the many things that can stop someone with a heartfelt desire to study authentic martial arts under a qualified teacher is that the teacher or program is nowhere near where they live. One way to get the best training available is to simply go where the teacher. For many students, martial arts and ninja camps and seminars fill the void.
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