Self Defense

Take a Self-Defense Class!

So you want to know how to defend yourself? First, this involves spending some time thinking about what dangers there are out there and devising plans for what to do if those dangers ever occur. In addition, you have preventive measures in place and practice being aware on a daily basis. You’ve set strong personal boundaries and can recognize “bad guy” behaviors. You know how to strike an assailant in order to escape.

Wait! Strike an assailant? Where? How? Where are you supposed to learn that?

Sign up for a self-defense class! A self-defense class is a place you can safely learn how to strike the bad guy. You can read all you want about locking your doors and paying attention. But when it comes to hitting someone hard enough to disable them so you can escape, you need to learn from an expert who can show you in person. A self-defense class is a great way to get some hands-on experience and begin to develop the skills that your subconscious can access if you get into trouble.

There are many different types of classes available, depending on how much time you want to put into it. You might find classes in your community for as short as 2 hours to classes running several times a week, ongoing. Usually, the longer classes are more “hands-on” and you might even have the opportunity to strike a guy (in a padded suit) at the end of the class for more realistic training.

Many community centers or martial arts studios offer short, two to three hour classes. These classes usually offer a broad overview of what you can do to keep yourself safe. There will be preventive tips, talk of awareness, and hopefully, the opportunity to practice some strikes, at least to the air. I suggest that every woman try to take one of these every year, just to keep abreast of what’s new and to create some muscle memory for your brain to access in case of danger.

If you have more than a couple of hours, many of your local police forces offer the R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) training.  You’ll need to be able to commit to one four-hour class per week for four weeks. On the last night, you get to use everything you learned in an attack simulation. Yep, you get to kick and punch the stuffing out of one or two really big guys in padded suits. This class is great for muscle memory and confidence.   One really great thing about the R.A.D. classes is that once you’ve taken one, you can come back any time for free. Go to www.rad-systems.com to find the closest training in your area. There are other organizations that provide the same type of instruction, such as IMPACT Self-Defense and FAST Self-Defense, although I do not have personal experience with them.

Now, when I get into something, I really get into it. I started taking Combat Hapkido when I found that the martial art of taekwondo did not truly teach me how to effectively disable someone who was trying to hurt me. This martial art specializes in joint manipulation, which means, learning how to bend arms, fingers, and knees the wrong way. This does not take strength if properly done, but must be practiced. This is some of the best physical defensive training you can get, if you want to put in the time. There’s no required sparring or special forms to learn and the moves work for even the smallest, most petite woman. You’ll learn how to escape from every type of grab or hold possible, while generating pain, loss of motor function, and brain overload. In my area, classes are offered three times a week. Go to www.dsihq.com for more details and class locations.

So, take your pick! Do a little research and see what your area has to offer. Do try to make a resolution this year that you will attend one class, even if it’s just a two hour into class. Every little bit you learn or are reminded of may be just the difference between danger and safety.

 

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