Bruce Lee said it best when he said that if you always put a limit on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. He contended that there were no limits, only plateaus, and we shouldn’t stay there, but go beyond them.

Meet the man who is the epitome of living life without limits, Ralph Kirchner, one of our most seasoned and experienced members. At age 53, this accomplished businessman and daredevil learned to ski before he could walk, has done everything from Jiu-jitsu, Tai Chi, horseback riding, surfing, hang gliding, and competitive off-road racing in Germany and Italy.

After he retired from the German Air force, he started an advertising agency in the mid-80’s, and then opened a Dude ranch with his lovely wife in the early 90’s in Bandera, Tx. In 2009, he sold his business and instead of retiring to the Cayman islands—which is something I would’ve done, by the way—and soaking up life sipping margaritas, absorbing lots of Vitamin D, he felt that he needed something a little more stimulating and challenging to spend the rest of his retirement years. So, he found STW Krav Maga.

“I got a guest pass from a friend,” he said, “and signed up immediately after that first lesson. I love this place. It’s like a family oriented environment,” he continued.

Despite coming four to five times a week, taking several classes back-to-back, Ralph didn’t limit himself to only fitness classes. He continued with the self-defense track and recently passed his level 4 test, earning himself a most coveted blue coin, not an easy feat by any standard. And for this reason, that makes Ralph Kirchner our February Member of the Month. Congratulations, Sir! The STW team is extremely proud of your accomplishment, and we wish you a fun and prosperous journey on the self-defense track.

Trial evidence suggested that Howell thought he was beyond the reach of the law because he committed his violent crimes in different states during the six days he held his wife hostage and subjected her to repeated brutal physical assaults. “The Violence Against Women Act was enacted to prosecute interstate domestic abusers like Robbie Howell,” who thought he was above the law because he claimed he wasn’t in a particular county when he beat the victim.

It is horrendous acts of violence against women like these that V- Day was initiated. What is V-Day? It is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. V-Day promotes awareness to raise money and revitalize existing anti-violence organizations. Broader attention is generated to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation and sex slavery.

STW’s life-long mission is to end such violence through the education of situational awareness and self-defense. Therefore, on March 3^rd and in honor of V-Day, STW is holding a very special seminar to defend against attacks while getting in and out of a vehicle. All proceeds will go to the Rape Crises Center. The Seminar will take place at our Crossroads (9-11:30 am) and Blanco (1-3:30 pm) centers. Please see seminar information form below if you would like to participate:

February 17 & 18 (Friday and Saturday)

It’s been ten years already? Wow! It seems like only yesterday . . .

STW has been providing Krav Maga Self Defense training and fitness in Sat Antonio for ten years, and we’re going to celebrate by throwing a big event where people can–that’s right–come learn self defense skills and get in a great workout.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. ALL EVENTS ARE FREE.

We will be conducting introductory classes, including:

• Krav Maga
• Cardio Bag
• Kettlebell
• Fitness Rings
• Dance Fit
• F2F (Fit to Fight)
• Battle Ropes
• Cycling
• Crossfitness
• STW Fury

There will also be two special seminars being taught by Pete Hardy, our chief instructor. (Pete is one of the few who have been awarded a 2nd Degree Black Belt by Krav Maga Worldwide).

• Intro to Long Gun Threats
• Bar and Event Attacks

Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the best. Pete will train you in the latest street-proven survival techniques that are based on your body’s natural reactions when it is under extreme stress.

Remember, this event is open to the public. If you–or someone you know–has ever been curious about STW and wanted to experience it for yourself–now is the time. Are there are people in your life who would benefit from getting fit and learning how to survive when the chips are down? Invite them, too–right now! An event like this only comes around every ten years.

We are teaming up with El Tejon to present a CHL (Concealed Handgun License) certification course on Saturday, February 4.

The classroom portion of the training will be at our Crossroads Boulevard location. First time CHL applicants should arrive at 8:00 a.m; those renewing their permit should arrive at 12:00 p.m. The range portion of the training will be at the Bass Pro Shop on IH-10 West.

The training fee is $100 ($85 for military and government civilians). The fee for those renewing is $60. A $40 non-refundable deposit is required To secure your place,

Bring your firearm (at least .32 caliber).

Download the attached flyer for complete details about this one-day course. If you have any questions, call Tom at (954) 895-6770.

All proceeds will benefit the Family Violence Prevention Services at the Anti-Rape seminar, hosted and taught by our very own Fight Girl, Jeanine Jackson. The seminar is free and open to the public but all monetary donations are welcome.

Please visit this link for more information about the seminar.

Angie Santos Today. New Year's Day 2012

Wheelchair Bound to Finding the Warrior Within

“I’ve had arthritis symptoms since I was 17 yrs. old. Doctors didn’t really know what was wrong with me. They put me on Demerol, muscle relaxers, steroids, nothing really got rid of the pain entirely. I got full blown arthritis after childbearing and ended up in a wheelchair due to a herniated disk. My husband suggested exercise to help me vent out the frustration I was feeling from being immobilized. I’m an active person, and I don’t like to be dependent on anyone else. But, in 2010, I couldn’t even roll out of bed without assistance. I would get stuck in the bathtub, which often left me feeling more disheartened and frustrated.

I tried the treadmill and just wasn’t making progress; the pain only got worse. I decided to join STW as a last resort. I started with the fitness program, which I really enjoyed, but I had to modify everything. Mountain climbers and sit ups alone caused me a lot of pain and were extremely difficult to do, but I pushed through. I’ve never been a quitter. As my abs and back muscles started getting stronger, I found that the pain subsided. Don’t get me wrong, I live with constant pain on a daily basis, but when I am here, I don’t feel it and I don’t feel the pain that I used to.

After a year, I decided to try the self defense program. It took months to build to a more comfortable level I could tolerate, and I had to modify a lot of the exercises. Now I’m working towards passing my Phase B, level 2 test (orange belt). The instructors have all been very supportive and have all helped me through this process.

Now, my kids like my muscles and the fact that I’m more active with them makes this whole experience completely worth it. I can get out of bed by myself. I’m not as tired as I used to be, and the pain has diminished. I’m able to endure a lot more, and it’s relieving that I don’t have to take as much medication like I used to because of the pain.

Because of this disease, I will always need to use my cane and walker. But, thanks to STW, I have strengthened my muscles in my back and stomach, and it’s helped me deal with the every day things that healthy folks take for granted. Yes, I still have pain 24/7 but I refuse to let this disease dictate my life. I will fight the fight every single day.”

WOW! What an inspiration. When I asked Angie what inspired her to keep going she said,

“Knowing that I’m going to feel better during that window of time that I’m doing it, and also, I’m not a quitter. I stick to what I’m doing.”

Sure puts anyone to shame when it comes to finding an excuse not to exercise, and it certainly aligns with Mr. Pete Hardy’s (owner) philosophy here at STW, “DIG deep and DO something to improve your health every day. If you look for an excuse you will find it. So… DO… SOMETHING!”

Well, Mrs. Angie Santos has certainly DONE something, and for this reason she has earned the title of being our STW January Member of the Month. Her disabilities didn’t limit her and the possibilities are endless when you have the right frame of mind and you unleash the warrior within that tells you that no matter what obstacles are in your way, there will always…ALWAYS… be a way around them. Her situation was not a problem. It was a challenge, and Mrs. Santos certainly found a way to overcome it. The STW team wishes you all our best, Mrs. Santos, in accomplishing your Phase B level goals and congratulations for making January’s Member of the Month.

*If you have a life-changing story you would like to tell about STW, please submit all queries and testimonies to  Jax@911kravmaga.com. You might just be our next member of the month!

This seminar will be taught by Jeanine Jackson, who appeared on Oxygen Network’s “Fight Girls”.

The seminar will take place from 11:30 a.m through 1:30 p.m., but registration will open at 11:00 a.m.—get there early to make sure you have time to complete the paperwork.

[REGISTRATION CLOSED]

What:
Intro to Gun Defense Seminar
for the benefit of Wounded Warriors Project

When:
January 14, 2012
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.)

Where:
STW Krav Maga at the intersection of Loop 1604 and Blanco Road
18450 Blanco Road, Suite 2
San Antonio, TX 78258

Entry fee:
Donations to Wounded Warriors Project, such as:
- Shaving kits
- Body soap
- New clothing
- Blankets
- New undergarments for men and women
- Donations of money

Please fill out the following form to reserve your place:

Do you know what to do should the situation arise that you would have to defend yourself or a family member against an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon such as—a knife? We DO!!!

Join us this Saturday (January 7th from 12-3 p.m. at our new Blanco location) for our introductory seminar to knife threats. Learn about situational awareness and how to counter attack several possible knife assault scenarios. Don’t…get… CUT, off guard!!!

This seminar will benefit the Animal Defense League, so your entry fee is simple. Bring in any of the following donated items:

Purina One Dry Kitten Food

Canned Kitten Food

Pedigree Canned Dog Food

Esbilac Puppy Formula

KMR Kitten Milk Replacement