Basic Instincts of Self-Defense Testimonials

…I watched your video Basic Instincts of Self-Defense with a friend of mine who is a U.S. Marshal, and we both came to the conclusion that it is a fantastic video! The film quality is excellent. This is not one of those videos that looks homemade and is a half hour to one hour of gibberish. Your video is power packed…. There is a genuine effort here to teach someone right in their own living room….

…an excellent presentation. The self-defense techniques are practical and relevant to actual street situations. As a physician involved in the martial arts for more than 35 years, in addition to having taught self-defense and street hand-to-hand combat classes, I feel I can personally commend the Stadion staff for a quality program that is both scientifically and educationally sound.

This is the correct method of teaching self-defense techniques.

The most simple and easiest to learn of all the self-defense systems I have ever seen. I strongly recommend this video as a must for a person who wishes to learn an easy and most effective form of self-defense.

Your video Basic Instincts of Self-Defense is great! Here are many techniques I already know but you put it all in a logical order. I teach karate full time. Soon I will start a self-defense course and would like […] to use the Basic Instincts program.

Very good system. Explains well `why’ and `how’ of the shown moves.

Basic Instincts of Self-Defense: Defenses Against Unarmed Attacks focuses on quick, easy-to-learn defensive maneuvers based on natural, instinctive reactions. Learn how to defeat attackers that are stronger than you, … and how to sharpen defensive reflexes. Increase your confidence and awareness to ward off or avoid potential attackers.

This video teaches basic defense moves against 55 typical attacks; all simple moves, all designed to work against a stronger attacker, and based on natural, instinctive reactions to assault.

This DVD presentation is a unique mix of classic goshin jutsu, appropriately applied to contemporary problems of self-protection, requiring resolve.

“This very professionally produced video offers the combined expressed skills of Thomas Kurz—a professional educator—who was responsible for organizing the script and arranging the technical applications in a very easy to follow, progressive learning format, and that of Lt. Col. Grzegorz Piwowarczyk—combatives expert—who was responsible for selecting the proper technical response to the many different attack scenarios.

“The `players’ in the video include: Thomas Kurz, an experienced Judo coach and Ms. Magdalena Szewczyk, who is a Wrestling and Judo Champion of Poland, both acting as the primary defenders. Also featured is World Judo Champion, Pawel Nastula, from Poland. With the caliber of the masterful athletes performing the attacks and defenses, the action observed within this production is smooth, comprehensive and flawless in its physical execution, making the material on this DVD instructional intense and rich.

“Sure, these performers make the actions appear effortless and masterful, as they should. If one closely observes what is being taught, mirroring these applications means we will also be learning the movement’s technical essence from the absolute best in the field.

“The `player’s’ actions are clearly visible with detailed, clearly audible narration in the back ground to offer critical contextual information about the technique’s proper applications. There is absolutely NO confusion as to what is being done, how and why, or what is being explained.

“The `players’ do attack and defend while wearing the classic white Judo-gi on mats. However, the actions are rough and ready. Attacks are as realistic as can be made, considering the `player’s’ over all safety, and that this is a learning-instructional medium. The fact that the attacks and defensive responses are executed at full-force levels actually provides the viewer with what occurs during an actual attack and what is physically demanded of the defender to successfully negate the potential assault.

“Since the `players’ defending in this DVD are female and smaller statured males, relative to the larger male attackers, one gets a realistic example of the technical utility involved. Mr. Kurz and Ms. Szewczyk truly demonstrate the sweet simplistic devastation of these defensive tactics against many different possible assault cues from larger, aggressive and more powerful adversaries.

“The background narration adds to the professionalism of this video, explaining what happens to one while being attacked and how one can manage the duress during such attacks, in addition to explaining the actual details of performance. This narration provides the listener with well researched scientific information explaining what happens during violence and its potential ramifications while instructing effective self-defense needs. This package properly educates the viewer to this specific context.

“Within the DVD, the skills demonstrated and taught include proper methods of falling, passive defenses against grips and grabs, defensive actions resulting in simple arm and shoulder lock takedown controls. Defenses include simple throws where the adversary lands forward and rearward. There are strong defenses demonstrating escapes from numerous grounded attacks, and actions to deploy when one is being kicked while down. Where and when appropriate, simple striking techniques are demonstrated, following the arm/shoulder lock and fulcrum takedowns/controls. If one already possesses a strong striking background, striking follow-ups made in conjunction with the takedowns are merely limited by the creativity of the defender and by the needs of the moment (what the assailant does or doesn’t do).

“The video presentation concludes with a discussion about the necessary mental toughness required for defending oneself, and how, even if one knows what to do physically, without the proper mental toughness, it is all but lost. Mind and fitness are first in this arena.

“The premise of the video is to offer methods of defense (mentally and physically) which are simple to learn, simple to execute under duress, practical, effective and whose offensive and defensive technical applications can be practiced relatively safely at full speed, full power. It is directly stressed and often implied through the presentation that a defender will respond in real time the way he or she trains. And if training does not possess elements of actual power and force on force practice, one will be inadequately prepared.

“Many years ago, during real world combative activity, I learned just how ineffective strikes can be and just how difficult generating powerful striking applications can be when the body and mind are under the uncontrollable influences of combat duress.

“When one learns how to use body leverage, evasive movement and balance breaking against an attacking human adversary, as is clearly shown and taught in this DVD selection, then one does possess strong, effective and versatile defensive tactics, leading to an inner security that is unwavering under duress.

“The level of professionalism applied to the production of this DVD is without compare.