WHAT EXACTLY IS “CANE-FU”? The name “Cane-Fu” was coined by the media with a front page write up in the Wall Street Journal. What they refer to as Cane-Fu, is the art of cane self defense adapted for the elderly. Of all the stories and angles the media could have presented, they felt the most interesting to the public would be to present it as an old folk’s art. While there’s nothing wrong with focusing on cane self defense for seniors, all the recent publicity has led to yet another misconception regarding American Cane Self Defense: That it is essentially self defense for seniors.

When the public hears “Cane-Fu”, they envision granny beating up a thug with a cane. Naturally, they perceive it as geriatric self defense and the younger population automatically disqualifies themselves from participation. As everyone knows by now, I teach American Cane Self Defense to young, old and everyone in between. Due to the recent demand for qualified cane self defense instructors for the senior population I developed the Cane-Fu Instructor Certification Workshop.

On June 6th 2009 I held the first ever “Cane-Fu” certification for instructors. This workshop is for anyone who works with the senior population and wishes to teach this invaluable and exciting art It also for seniors who simply wish to learn life saving self defense skills. Cane-Fu consists of isometric cane exercise, isotonic cane exercise with bands, cane stretches and cane self defense. Seniors love it. They feel empowered .

Interestingly, when the Wall Street Journal and Associated Press interviewed me for their articles, they were perplexed by the fact that I have personal Cane Self Defense students ranging from 10 years of age to 60+. “Why would a 12 and 16 year old be interested in cane self defense?” they asked. For one thing, I don’t present a geriatric art. I present a self defense system that anyone can learn quickly and be effective with, in a matter of hours, not years. Another reason is I teach empty hand translations for all cane applications for times people aren’t carrying their canes.

Martial artists and self defense experts all agree, the empty hand version of the cane self defense applications I teach are simple to learn, and brutally practical for street defense. While you’d imagine younger folks wouldn’t be caught dead with a cane, they no longer view the cane as a crutch or symbol of weakness. Matter of fact, they find my cane skills to be…”cool” if you will. They also understand, they have an infinitely better chance of surviving a street attack with a self defense tool than without one. I created the Cane-Fu program for seniors to address the demand for senior cane self defense.

The Cane-Fu certification program will ensure instructors are qualified to teach these life saving skills to our senior population. While the Cane-Fu program I teach seniors is especially easy to learn and retain, it is just as appropriate, for the general population. To learn how you can become a CERTIFIED CANE-FU INSTRUCTOR or if you just want to learn the most practical street self defense system, visit: www.americancaneselfdefense.com Grand CaneMaster Joe Robaina is an internationally recognized pioneer of American Cane Self Defense. He is the founder of the American Cane Self Defense System and the Cane-Do Kai U.S.A. martial art.