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 Like it or not, believe it or not, a look at the headlines in any newspaper in
America will show that violence happen to people in ALL neighborhoods,
socio-economic classes, races, and religions. Anyone!
"Just because someone is from a good family, nice neighborhood, hangs around
with the good crowd doesn't mean that they won't be a victim of a violent
crime…Anyone can be a victim. Policemen can be victims and firemen can still
have a fire in their home. I answer calls all the time where the people never
believed that they could be attacked. "Anyone" means "anyone."
Steve Oxner, Buncombe County Sheriff's Deputy and Music Director for Westwood
Baptist Church.
"It amazes me that so many people can be so totally unprepared for the one event
that could so completely devastate their lives?"
ShaoLin T’ao Instructor Bob Cummings
Nothing can guarantee that you or your loved ones never encounter a dangerous
person, persons, or situations, but one of the best ways to ensure safety is by
being prepared. Most people don't have the time or inclination to study a
martial art, but almost anyone can familiarize themselves with basic self
defense techniques meant to dispatch an aggressor, be it a mugger, rapist,
intoxicated person, or mentally ill person on the street or in the home.
 With a combined total of over 30 years studying the martial arts and personal
safety, the husband/wife team of Bob and Sue Cummings has developed a one day
training seminar meant to take the average person all the way from personal
awareness and safety to actual hands-on combat techniques. Both instructors have
been involved in social work, public education, and Christian ministry and are
certified instructors in their separate martial art styles.
Sue-Levinsky Cummings, a Black Sash Instructor of ShaoLin Kung Fu, has studied
the martial arts for over 13 years. She is certified by the American Women's
Self Defense Association as a Rape Prevention Instructor. She developed a system
for women's self defense and has been an instructor of Women's Self Defense at A
B Tech in Asheville, NC. She has been involved in Christian ministry for over 15
years and graduated from Montreat College with a degree in Bible and
Cross-Cultural Communications. She teaches ShaoLin, conducts seminars, and
continues to study ShaoLin Kung Fu under the direction of Eighth Degree Elder
Master Garry Mullins.
Bob Cummings is a Third Degree Black Sash instructor of ShaoLin Kung Fu
certified to teach by Grandmaster Sin Kwang The'. He has studied the martial
arts for over 18 years, specializes in Shan Tung Black Tiger Kung Fu, and is the
owner and senior instructor of ShaoLin Kung Fu of Asheville. He continues to
study ShaoLin Kung Fu under Elder ShaoLin Master Garry Mullins. Bob has worked
in full-time Christian ministry in Knoxville, TN and in Asheville, has been a
church youth leader, has worked with battered women and children, and is a Youth
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist in addition to teaching ShaoLin.
The seminar begins with an intro duction of the instructors and all participants,
then a stretching and warm up time. Topics covered are personal awareness,
natural weapons, strike zones and areas, body mechanics, hand striking
techniques, kicking techniques, releases from grabs, chokes, rear holds, front
holds, arm grabs, and other common attacks. Theories and concepts are put into
action with real-life scenarios and situations with the help of specially-
trained martial artist members of the team. The final test involves all members
of the class doing the scenarios while a member of the staff wears the specially
made RedMan Full Contact suit to simulate actual attack and response.
The training is intense, the situations are true-to-life, and the graphic nature
of the subject matter is all too real. On the other hand, the staff handles the
subject in a non-sensationalistic, appropriate, supportive, and wholly
professional manner.
Seminars and classes are age appropriate in content, allowing students to be
challenged but not offended, and people are able, at any time, to 'take a
breather' and process their feelings. The staff fosters a group 'togetherness'
and camaraderie. The levels of aggression and the appropriate levels of response
are discussed and taught. Each participant is given the opportunity to develop a
working knowledge of each technique. Practice and repetition are the keys to
developing the ability to instantly enter into 'defense mode.' Learning to
utilize the 'adrenaline response', along with lots of repetition of basic
techniques are the emphasis.
The seminars last between three hours in one day and seven to eight hours over a
four to five day period. Time outs for discussions, and to mentally and
emotionally refocus are built into all formats.
ISDS has some set seminars but prefers to create specialized seminars to meet
any groups needs. The cost of the specialized seminar is based on the number of
students and can accommodate up to 20 persons. The sponsoring group or church is
responsible financially for the seminar and should settle financial matters
prior to the start of the seminar. The seminar can be held at a church,
community center, local gym, or at the ShaoLin Kung Fu of Asheville facilities
on Haywood Road. Cost of seminars cover insurance for each participant and all
printed material.
For the cost of a decent restaurant meal and a movie, participants can gain
skills and knowledge that, God forbid should ever be needed, could save one's
life or the life of one's child, husband, or other loved one. Some participants
from previous classes have gone on to study martial arts systems, while others
simply live a bit more confidently and prepared for the unexpected.
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