Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Approaching Self Defense Training

Here's some more "day one" stuff for you to consider.

You want to learn to defend yourself right?

Okay - try to be yourself. You're not in competition with anyone so learn at your own pace.

Have enthusiasm for self defense training it may save your life some day.

Be open-minded or an empty vessel as it's said - soak up everything you can and find out what works for you and what doesn't.

It's easier to teach a student, or for a student to learn, if they aren't filled with poor information or preconceptions that must be broken down before any real learning can begin.

Try and identify your strengths and hone them down solidly with practice.

Try and identify your weaknesses and improve on them with practice.

Never be overly aggressive but be thoughtful, deliberate and confident.

Losing your head will lead to trouble in a fight or even a verbal confrontation so be calm and use your head. Your brain is your most powerful tool, so use it first before employing any form of self defense.

Remember self defense training addresses many aspects of life, not just fighting but maybe preserving your reputation, or taking action on something that is physically or mentally healthy.

We defend our body from disease with antibiotics, vitamins, rest, good hygiene, clean living.

We defend our minds by not being given over to rude behavior, unhealthy attitudes, harmful gossip, as well as, various sorts of close minded, biased expressions of ourselves.

Soon, we'll encounter victories in physical and mental forms of self defense due to our superior attitude and superior training.

More to come.....

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Self Defense for Women

Let's go over a bit more of our last post's "day one stuff" okay?

This post should have come before yesterday's but you can sort it out right?

One thing I didn't mention to you is that you want to make a serious assessment of how you'll respond to a situation when someone has attacked you or is showing aggression.

When trying to help teach self defense for women we must ask - will you:

Fight back against aggression?

Comply with an attacker?

Check out the situation first?

Make a decision based on the situation?

If you chose any of the last 3 answers, then you have no control over the situation and will have to trust to luck, good fortune, your "people skills," or whatever, to decide your fate.

That's really what's going on - speaking quite frankly. You must resist (fight) in some form or fashion to survive. It's a very brutal world outside your doors and be it verbal, mental or physical aggression, you must decide to resist. This is key to your self defense as a whole!

Say your associate at work comes up and for some reason cracks on you, calls you a bi**ch, for reasons known only to him/herself. Fighting back doesn't have to come in the form of a punch in the mouth okay? There are certainly many sharp come-backs to an insult like that ladies. How about - "do you kiss your mother with that mouth?"

You ARE special, you ARE unique and yes, you ARE a beautiful person. There's no reason to suffer indignities that others will try to heap on you everyday. Sometimes, so subtly, that you don't realize it until long after an incident happens.

Self defense is not always about punching or kicking - it's a mindset!

This mindset slowly becomes ingrained into behavior and after some time, it becomes 2nd nature. You don't have to be mean, cruel or nasty to practice self defense. You can defend yourself in daily matters, such as described above with dignity. Your self esteem will soar.

Don't be fearful of hurting feelings

Don't be fearful of harming someone

Don't be fearful of anything

Remember that to live without fear is freedom!

I'll catch you all soon and we'll get started on the simple stuff again.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Simple Self Defense

The first tip I'd like to share with women or anyone for a self defense strategy is to keep things at their most simple and direct levels.

All too often, I'll look at a YouTube video or a self defense technique on a website and be staggered at the amount of information given, to apply a defense measure.

Here's some simple "day one" stuff:

1. If you are afraid of being attacked by someone - avoid them.

2. If you are afraid of being attacked somewhere - don't go there.

3. The best way to avoid being struck is not to be there (move your head, step aside).

4. The best way to avoid being grabbed is by rapidly moving the targeted area out of the way.

5. Resistance is NEVER futile - fighting back greatly increases odds of survival.

Back with more day one stuff in a bit!

Friday, July 24, 2009

We've Changed Our Theme!

This blog has previously been about crime information and prevention. After much thought, I felt it would be nice to convert to a blog that offers self defense tips that are easy and simple to use.

It's my hope that women, who're the primary victims of crime and have the least amount of time and inclination to go out and learn to "beat people up," will be helped with some of the simple tips and tricks that I've amassed over 36 years of traditional martial arts training.

I also own two self defense product websites, so expect to see some nice products reviewed and linked to, which will make one's life a little more secure.

Come and visit anytime. Feel free to comment or ask a question.

To live without fear is true freedom!