Before Anything Else, check to insure that the “Find My iPhone” App is installed and activated on all your devices, this means that you have signed in and activated your devices Location Services.

Step One:

As soon as you realize that your device is missing, search the immediate area where your device was last seen; ask bystanders and clerks, watch for suspicious behavior and check lost & found (if nearby). Now immediately seek internet access, by computer or Apple Device and quickly check the last pinged location of your device, (online, the website to access the locator is icloud.com). From the App or website you will also have the options of erasing, locking, or causing your device to ring loudly. I must caution that if your device is in the hands of a thief, this may cause them to destroy it!

Step Two:

If you believe that you can reach the location your device was last “pinged” at (where the locator dot last was shown), proceed there with all due haste. Keep in mind that you will need a portable internet source of some kind so that you can track your device while on the move. Tracking the devices movements or location by vehicle is advised, and also that you have at least one or more other people with you, who have their own phones in order to contact the police if necessary. The Police/RCMP are very limited as to what they can do to help, unless a thief confesses, or the device is publically accessible (such as a ditch or dumpster), or someone is under threat of harm.

Step Three:

DON’T GIVE UP! You may be searching for hours or even on multiple days, but if your device has battery power, eventually you’ll find it – So stay positive! Even if it stops transmitting, a careful search of the last area it pinged in may turn it up. Awareness and calm are your greatest assets. It is very important to note that you should not go into strange or potentially dangerous areas by yourself, always take at least one friend as well as notify others where you are going and why. Approach any possible thief with great caution and strength. Be point blank in asking for your property to be returned. Speak loudly and if you can attract the attention of bystanders or passerby’s, do so! Do not be fooled by immediate denials of thievery or proclamations of innocence, usually the more loud the response, the more likely they are guilty. Innocent people should usually work with you to discover the truth, rather than argue. Be firm and polite, but don’t threaten. Protect your own safety to the utmost and be especially aware if you are dealing with more than one perpetrator.

I have directly applied these techniques in recovering my iPhone 5. I do not take any responsibility for the results of using my advice here and you follow any of these suggestions at your own risk! I personally believe that these techniques are one of the best options for recovering your stolen or misplaced Apple device. Good luck and be safe!

Brante

I just had the pleasure of training with a Sensei who was visiting Canada, and who has been training many years in the Bujinkan Dojo, both in Canada and Germany.

What I found stands out, was his absolutely relaxed method, which has iron power underneath. He would demonstrate a movement by going into an average pose, such as leaning on a post, or laying sun tanning, and from there show the simple power of fluid and relaxed motion coming from the core of the body to alleviate any hostile situation, while protecting both himself AND the attacker from harm. I am certain that his advice is echoed by every experienced teacher and is useful for every art and lifestyle to apply, it was a welcome reminder in his own enjoyable and humorous expression.

Some of the essentials were:

• Keep the body upright and relaxed, use the power of both the core, gentle turning and stepping, along with bending of the knees and elbows to apply techniques.
• Do not use “force”, (grabbing, pushing, holding, raising the limbs etc.) in your initial actions, relax and do not create a defensive response in your opponent.
• All techniques using your opponents limbs can be transferred fluidly to use with any object as a weapon, by extending it as your own limb.
• Be open and creative, life never happens like the classroom. Be playful in your training, never “muscle” or tense against each other.
• Smile and keep your eyes on your target, while remaining aware of your surroundings and any other potential opponents.
• Keep your own limbs close to your core normally, loose and focused. Once you drop into a technique, do not stand up.
• Do not grip or tighten against your opponent, no matter what they do.
• Always protect your opponent from more harm than necessary.

I am very grateful for a new perspective and a wonderful evening which flew by with this Sensei’s guidance. I feel enriched to add his gentle and relaxed methodology into my everyday training.

I think the control of your opponents balance, core movement and head are the primary means with which this fellow stays on his feet and he had many opportunities to strike at his attacker’s upper bodies during this simulation.

I found the video interesting, although there are many other good striking tools readily available, especially the elbows, head and knees!

One of the most invaluable practices for a martial artist or body trainer of any sort, is to occasionally “mix it up”. This means trying out a new style of training, or sport, or drill etc. which challenges your normal or regular practice. Some interesting ways to create new brain activity and to test yourself in your current training:

Controlled Free Running (YouTube), when done casually (generally with a partner), this is an awesome way to get yourself into a new type of environment and “body feeling” which you may not be used to.

Shaolin Monk Training Drills (YouTube), these methods (while eventually becoming somewhat extreme for a western practitioner), can be started gently and create marked improvement on your current skills.

Various Group/Scenario Exercises, this may be as simple or as complex as desired, ie:

A – Setting up a situation between two people, who begin with eyes closed, and when told to start immediately assess their surroundings and attack the other the most effectively as they can (using objects or not).

B – A group where one person is told to walk between the “crowd” and defend against sudden attacks from one or more people from any direction.

C – Starting from a seated position (such as at a restaurant), or laying down and having to defend from an attacker who comes from an awkward angle Etc.

Here is one of the most unique and yet not physically dangerous ways to challenge one’s mind and body, now available in BC, Canada. This company provides “escape rooms”, from which a pair or group of people have a time limit to solve the puzzles and escape from one of 4 themed rooms, using a variety of physical and mental skills, check it out!

http://metronews.ca/news/vancouver/941536/room-escape-game-opens-in-richmond-b-c/

It is amazing how easy it is to get into an odd position with your opponent…

…and sooo easy to get into a wrestle (especially with a wrestler!), when that is the LAST thing you want to do (unless as a last resort). As with this kind sir, I was reminded that keeping your body free of a potentially deadly opponent, and being prepared for more than one attacker is very important. On more than two occasions during this latest sparring match, I found myself doubled over and pinned near the floor, with the gentleman’s nearly entire weight bearing down on me, to have more than a hundred extra pounds on me, it was EXTREMELY difficult to move at that point. Where I was able to get my legs under me, I did have the strength to lift and throw him off, but I don’t think it is likelihood in real combat. Suffice it to say, that staying on your feet, and keeping your opponent at a distance which allows you to move freely and then to take their balance away, is key. Your options being 10 times more limited the moment you are tied together in a wrestle.

I can safely say that defensive grappling is one of my weakest points, but I have been sensing improvement in the last year especially. Facing up to an opponent of this size however, has firmly reminded me that I still need a constant reminder to not get caught solely in an arm wrestle! Using the principles of first moving in the opposite direction that your intending to take your attacker (in order to then use the advantage of their opposing movement to carry them where you want them to go) and to fluidly follow in and out of their attacks, allows the opportunities to unbalance your opponent and turn the odds in your favour.

So before you meet this guy in a dark alley…

…consider developing a strong sense of leverage so that regardless of your opponents shape or size, you are able to utilize his strengths, to your advantage!