NONVIOLENT SELF-PROTECTION


FAQ



Where are you located?



Tanden Dojo: Lychener Str. 73, 10437 Berlin





What can i expect from training with you?



The same thing I would expect, a professional with the right mixture of passion, experience, and expertise. Someone who cares about you as an individual and who teaches in your particular way of learning. I have a black belt in Tang Soo Do Karate, was an advanced member of Shaolin Temple Los Angeles, and have over thirty years of experience in various martial arts including Kenpo, Aikido, Jiu-Jitsu, and Ninjutsu. I want you to become the person in charge of your own personal security.





Do you do all the training yourself, or do you work with other trainers?



I do all the training myself.





Do i need any prior martial arts or sports experience?



No prior martial arts or sports experience is required. The programs are designed to be accessible to the average individual.





DO i need a uniform?



No. A comfortable pair of sweat/track pants and a t-shirt is fine. As long as there are no zippers or big logos, you're good to go.





What materials do i need when taking an nsp course?



You'll need a way of recording your notes, thoughts, ideas, and self-love assignments. So a pen and a journal, notebook, or diary will be fine. Then you'll need a quiet place where you can be intimate with your thoughts and feelings.





Is there etiquette in the training area?



Yes. NSP is modern in many ways, but it also honors certain valuable martial arts traditions:


1. Before stepping on and off the training mat we bow in respect (not worship). It shows a sign of regard for the martial arts, our own safety, that of our training partners, and the mat where we train, share, and grow.


2. No shoes on the mat. Our skin comes into contact with the mat. It should be as clean as possible.


3. The instructor is addressed as “Coach Rob.” This helps acknowledge his skill, experience, and time devoted to the martial arts.


4. When greeting and saying goodbye, students bow in respect (not worship) to the instructor. Again, it shows a sign of regard for his experience and expertise.


5. If a student is late to class, they must stand at the edge of the mat, be recognized by the instructor, and bow, before being allowed to join class. Through such practice, students learn to humble themselves, to be courteous to others, to develop patience as well as appreciate their instructor’s efforts.





What are martial arts without striking?



Non-striking martial arts are known as grappling arts. For example, Judo, Sambo, Wrestling, and Jiu-Jitsu. They involve gripping and seizing methods to gain a physical advantage over an opponent.





Is there a belt ranking system?



No... In the old days of karate, you only had one belt: white. After several years of hard training, it became brown with sweat and dirt. Eventually, it appeared black. We didn't even have belts at the Shaolin Temple Los Angeles and the participants there were amazing. Just because someone has a black belt, doesn’t necessarily mean they're good. The purple belts in one dojo can beat up the black belts in another dojo. Lots of dojos simply promote their students on a regular basis just to keep them enrolled. I’d rather you stay enrolled because you enjoy training and actually feel you’re getting better.





How can i tell if i'm progressing?



You’ll see and feel your improvement. In class, you’ll start to flow from technique to technique without thinking. You’ll begin to see how certain concepts like leverage, force, and weight distribution operate in the techniques. You’ll start seeing the bigger picture of how self-love relates to self-defense. You’ll feel a certain confidence. A knowing, which will translate into your behavior. Bullies/perpetrators will see it too. They'll sense that you no longer seem like a victim. They’ll move on to another target. Or, if they mess with you, you’ll have the self-defense tools to show them the error of their ways and hopefully, their heart will change.





Are courses taught in German or English?



I speak elementary German, but courses are taught in English. I teach martial arts techniques, but the focus is on the concepts behind them. For example, leverage, weight-distribution, behaviors, and force, etc. When you understand the concept behind what you're doing, you'll be mentally flexible enough to improvise if a certain technique fails or if you don't have a technique that fits the situation. I sometimes say the names of the concepts in German, but I explain them in English.





Do you teach weapons defense or multiple attacker scenarios?



I teach weapons defense in the Women's Empowerment course, but I don't teach multiple attackers defense. NSP is specifically designed to work in a one-on-one situation where you can either take a bully to the ground and neutralize them, or escape a perpetrator. If there are multiple attackers, it’s unwise to go to the ground because vulnerability increases. The psychology and skillset for dealing with multiple attackers are different. Running away is the best option, but if that's impossible, there are options... Once you become skilled, you may be invited to join a multiple attackers class. One must crawl before one can walk.





How long has NSP been around?



The techniques and concepts are ancient, but the system I’ve arranged them into is new.





NONVIOLENT SELF-PROTECTION (NSP)



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