► Guided Chaos focuses on improving four basic principles in the student: Balance, Looseness, Body Unity and Sensitivity. Beyond their martial application, these principles, properly trained, can help improve quality of life into advanced age. Balance and internal sensitivity (proprioception) often degrade due to physical changes in the body and natural neuropathy. Training to improve these has yielded excellent results in older students, slowing and even reversing the onset of age-related deficits in these areas. Improved balance reduces the likelihood of stumbles and falls, which are major risks as people age. Guided Chaos training related to looseness, sensitivity and posture may counteract age-related decline in movement, reflexes and coordination.

In the last few years, it became quite evident that while I have well-developed knowledge on how to achieve and maintain vitality, my ideas about self-protection were pure fantasy. I realized I was going to have to add something very important that was missing in my health protocol.

For years, the idea that I could save my life or that of a beloved by some heroic action in the face of an attack provided false comfort. Some serious research convinced me that the reality is that I needed to equip myself with proven knowledge and training in this regard. This spurred me on to find ways to tip the odds in my favor.

Serendipitously, I stumbled across the Guided Chaos site while doing some research on Werner Erhard, famed for creating the EST training back in the 70's. Werner was a controversial figure, his success attracting the ire of Scientologists and others who wanted to destroy him. When he learned that a killer was stalking him, he hired John Perkins to oversee his protection. I landed on attackproof.com while investigating this.

Curious, I began reading an article about myths of self-protection on the site, and in about 5 minutes, my heroic fantasies were roundly decimated. Because I am the kind of person who wants above all to know truth, however painful that might be, I read on.

My experience in the supplement field has shown me that there are many outright scams and even more low to mediocre products. I found that companies of rock-solid integrity and quality are VERY rare - in my experience they are a small percent of 1% of supplement companies out there. I assume this is true in most areas of interest, with martial arts being no exception. Because of this, I have a feel for what is the real deal. That's why I kept coming back to look at the Guided Chaos site.

Once I started checking out their video clips, I began to feel an irresistable pull to meet and study with Grandmaster John Perkins and Lt. Col Al Ridenhour. The harmonious, unscripted, effective way of moving I saw in those videos was very much in harmony with advanced principles I had learned in my career as a body therapist.

Elmsford NY is 4 hrs distant from home. In early Spring 2018 drove there with my husband for a 2 hr private lesson with Al. The trip proved so worthwhile, I was bound to repeat it. I was amazed at how far we got in our very first lesson with Al, even including some Contact Flow, which I had thought would not happen until later. Al is a great teacher; his enthusiasm ignites our energy, and he is fabulous at explaining and teaching the work. The bonus was, my husband and I had a profoundly great time!

I decided if 2 hrs with Al was that great, I also had to take a group class with John. I booked a private session with Al right after the group class, and that has been my practice since then. It's like a mini-seminar and makes 8 hrs driving well worthwhile. My husband accompanies me about half the time and we both are very impressed with the refinement of knowledge these teachers have not only about self-defense but about physiology and how our bodies and nervous system need to function for maximum advantage.

The students in the group class are a testament to the skill of the teachers - doing Contact Flow with the students is also a delightful learning experience. What makes the drive even more worthwhile is right from the beginning my husband and I felt quite at home, part of a group of terrific people - with great camaraderie and more than a few laughs as well. Our first time in the group class, John took us in hand for some individual work.

As of this writing, I have done 5 lessons with Al and 4 group classes with John. The group classes are very valuable, as we get to do Contact Flow with a variety of people, mostly men and mostly more experienced.

One of the things I most love about Guided Chaos training is that it always leaves me feeling more vibrant, aware and alive. Al says that we are developing the part of the nervous system that responds even before the brain registers that an emergency response is needed - like when you jam your foot on the brake and turn the wheel even before your brain registers that a car has suddenly swerved into your path.

After the very first lesson with Al, I noticed how much more sensitivity, awareness and responsiveness I gained. Definitely felt a new shift in nervous system functioning! Immersing myself in the training and philosophy of Guided Chaos has already given me a host of benefits listed below - despite the fact that I am very new to it.

► I practice much more awareness of my surroundings, even, and especially in everyday familiar places. Intelligent awareness drastically reduces the possibility of being attacked. As Lt Col Al Ridenhour said in the first lesson; 'Don't let that shit happen to begin with!' Makes a lot of sense!

► I find that out on the street, I can be relaxed, yet still observe what's happening around me with a better feel for people and situations. Situational awareness is 90% of self-protection.

► My balance and ability to regain my footing has dramatically improved (this comes with practicing many of the unique (and enjoyable) Combat Conditioning Exercises. I highly recommend getting the Combat Conditioning video, which makes it very easy to practice at home or at the gym.

► My physical conditioning and coordination are better through practicing the exercises at home and doing the Guided Chaos training at Elmsford.

► Not the least, as a person who has rarely been in physical altercations with anyone, I am becoming familiar with and gaining confidence in hand-to-hand combat. Getting acclimated to skillfully moving in on an opponent and finding openings is a new and empowering experience.

Another wonderful thing about the classes - the can-do attitude of the teachers and more senior students is empowering. Rather than instilling fear and suspicion, there is the message that yes, you CAN fight if need be!

► I really like the practicality of Guided Chaos. Other methods focus on formulaic sequences and students competing against other students for the glory of 'winning.' Engaging in contests and being judged feels too superficial (and stressful). I didn't like the idea of that and also had friends who got smashed noses etc. because poorly prepared students were going full force. The best possible preparation for the unexpected and the dangerous is the purpose of Guided Chaos. Effectiveness is what I want for martial arts training - not a theatrical display.

► Another thing that put me off other martial arts was the need for high kicks and extreme, regimented moves that tighten and strain the body rather than allowing for the unscripted adaptive flow needed in a real situation.