Hopefully, any ladies who have stumbled upon this blog, have taken a few minutes to read a few posts and maybe watched a video or two.
In our last post "Self Defense For Women - Striking Back" we discussed that "when an opponent touches or grabs you - they have opened a target area that you can easily strike."
We were also treated to a video by Dr. Melissa Soalt, aka Dr. Ruthless, who encourages women to tap into their primal instincts to survive. I encourage you all to click on her name, visit her website and get to know her.
Attackers can easily have the tables turned against them if you are prepared to tap into your survival instinct and stop thinking "I can't do that." Of course you can!
How many times have we read or heard stories of women lifting an automobile to free a husband or child? Think about it. You have the power within you to accomplish amazing feats.
A woman knows the intention of her assailant right? Ordinarily, the attacker will not know YOUR intentions. For too long, it's been said to comply or just go along with an attacker and let them have their way. This is wrong. This thinking gets women beaten, raped and worse.
You can and will be able to withstand an attack and survive if you prepare yourself!
See you soon....
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Self Defense for Women - Striking Back
Dwelling on the concepts that "usually" hold true, we've looked at them all except for one which is really a summing up of the four easy concepts that we mentioned in our post - Self Defense Basics. There are many other truisms but we'll look at this one today and remember - all of them are covered in the videos we've shared.
"When an opponent touches or grabs you - they have opened a target area that you can easily strike."
We usually teach beginners that every limb is a weapon. We start off with 4 - "right and left hand," plus "right and left foot." Within weeks, we expand to 8 - including both knees and both elbows. This is really quite easy ladies. You don't need to have hardened knuckles to strike an opponent to the head. A sharp strike with the "heel" of your palm will cause adequate damage to make a fight of things, or escape and get away.
You feet will mostly be shod with shoes of some type, so no worries there either. Elbows and knees are both devastating weapons when brought into play and need no conditioning to render an attacker harmless. In self defense training for women, anything goes and anything is a weapon.
Yes, traditional - hardcore martial artists condition their bodies and all of the striking surfaces they employ. This isn't necessary for you and should only be considered if you would decide to pursue that avenue of self defense discipline in the future.
Let's take another look at a video which illustrates what I've just mentioned. Remember all of the previous posts and videos are useful in learning these simple concepts!
"When an opponent touches or grabs you - they have opened a target area that you can easily strike."
We usually teach beginners that every limb is a weapon. We start off with 4 - "right and left hand," plus "right and left foot." Within weeks, we expand to 8 - including both knees and both elbows. This is really quite easy ladies. You don't need to have hardened knuckles to strike an opponent to the head. A sharp strike with the "heel" of your palm will cause adequate damage to make a fight of things, or escape and get away.
You feet will mostly be shod with shoes of some type, so no worries there either. Elbows and knees are both devastating weapons when brought into play and need no conditioning to render an attacker harmless. In self defense training for women, anything goes and anything is a weapon.
Yes, traditional - hardcore martial artists condition their bodies and all of the striking surfaces they employ. This isn't necessary for you and should only be considered if you would decide to pursue that avenue of self defense discipline in the future.
Let's take another look at a video which illustrates what I've just mentioned. Remember all of the previous posts and videos are useful in learning these simple concepts!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Simple Self Defense for Women
Continuing the concepts that "usually" hold true, let's look again at this one:
"If your opponent touches or grabs you - they have one less weapon in play than you do."
I have a video below that will display how true this is. If you watch this video you'll see that the attacker has committed to an action and taken some of his weapons out of play.
There are multitudes of strikes that are safe for a woman to employ that won't hurt, while inflicting tremendous pain on an assailant.
Back with more, very soon!
"If your opponent touches or grabs you - they have one less weapon in play than you do."
I have a video below that will display how true this is. If you watch this video you'll see that the attacker has committed to an action and taken some of his weapons out of play.
There are multitudes of strikes that are safe for a woman to employ that won't hurt, while inflicting tremendous pain on an assailant.
Back with more, very soon!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Self Defense for Women: Concepts
Today we continue our foundational series of simple self defense:
"If you are attacked, that opponent has committed to a course of action."
"The course of action that an opponent has chosen can be exploited."
In my 3+ decades of martial arts training, fighting and observing, I've noted that counter-strikes produce the most devastating knock-outs or destructions of target areas.
So what does that have to do with the concept quoted above?
That's simple. If you're aware and a very keen observer, you'll notice that when an attacker commits to a course of action, their body's momentum becomes exploitable.
If an opponent attacks - you have many options to allow that momentum to lead them:
Into empty space ( rotate your centerline - causing them to miss )
Into empty space (step out of the way)
Into empty space (push them down)
Into a counter punch / counter kick ( watch the videos I've already posted again)
These are very subtle self defensive movements that can produce dramatic results.
They can be quite easy to learn in the privacy of your own home or with a friend who is "like minded" and would like to train with you occasionally .
Please read this again and watch the videos again for ideas. In a day or two, I'll post another video and discuss the next concept!
Don't miss it and NEVER become discouraged. Remember, anyone can enhance their self defense skills if they want to!
"If you are attacked, that opponent has committed to a course of action."
"The course of action that an opponent has chosen can be exploited."
In my 3+ decades of martial arts training, fighting and observing, I've noted that counter-strikes produce the most devastating knock-outs or destructions of target areas.
So what does that have to do with the concept quoted above?
That's simple. If you're aware and a very keen observer, you'll notice that when an attacker commits to a course of action, their body's momentum becomes exploitable.
If an opponent attacks - you have many options to allow that momentum to lead them:
Into empty space ( rotate your centerline - causing them to miss )
Into empty space (step out of the way)
Into empty space (push them down)
Into a counter punch / counter kick ( watch the videos I've already posted again)
These are very subtle self defensive movements that can produce dramatic results.
They can be quite easy to learn in the privacy of your own home or with a friend who is "like minded" and would like to train with you occasionally .
Please read this again and watch the videos again for ideas. In a day or two, I'll post another video and discuss the next concept!
Don't miss it and NEVER become discouraged. Remember, anyone can enhance their self defense skills if they want to!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Self Defense - Removing Targets
If you're just joining us, I outlined some simple self defense concepts that generally hold true. The first one was" "The easiest way to avoid being struck is to remove the target."
I've posted two videos that display how simple movements will allow you to avoid punches, kicks, grabs and various attacks by simply taking a small step, or turning your body. In self defense training for women, we want to make things as simple and as subtle as possible. That's why I asked you to watch the two videos and disregard all of the blocking and counter-punching techniques.
My intention was for you to see how little it takes to make someone's attack. "miss the mark" and fall short of harming you.
The gentlemen in the videos were trained fighters, I am as well, but I can't stress enough, that you don't have to move as much as they demonstrated, in order for your evasive movements to work successfully.
So ladies, by staying loose and keeping your wits about you - you can train all by yourself if you care to, by just practicing a few stepping movements, as well as rotating your trunk or "centerline" to disrupt an attacker and cause him/her to be unable to hit you.
In my martial arts training, many years ago, I was taught that if a punch missed you by an inch - that it was the same as missing you by a mile. Many women have never seen the great Muhammad Ali stand right in front of very large, muscular boxers and never be touched by their punches, as they came crashing toward him from every conceivable angle.
He's often called "the greatest" and he earned that reference, in part, because he was almost "impossible to hit," in the prime of his career. To watch him slip punches is comparable to watching any great artist ply their trade. Watching him avoid punches, taught me more than any other fighter, how easy it could be to move out of harm's way.
In our next post we'll continue to build on our study of self defense by exploring the next concepts:
"If you are attacked, that opponent has committed to a course of action."
"The course of action that an opponent has chosen can be exploited."
"If your opponent touches or grabs you - they have one less weapon in play than you do."
"When an opponent touches or grabs you - they have opened a target area that you can easily strike."
We'll have commentary and videos and spend quite awhile on these concepts. I hope you'll stick with us and share this blog with your friends.
Your comments are welcomed and my email address is located in my profile!
I've posted two videos that display how simple movements will allow you to avoid punches, kicks, grabs and various attacks by simply taking a small step, or turning your body. In self defense training for women, we want to make things as simple and as subtle as possible. That's why I asked you to watch the two videos and disregard all of the blocking and counter-punching techniques.
My intention was for you to see how little it takes to make someone's attack. "miss the mark" and fall short of harming you.
The gentlemen in the videos were trained fighters, I am as well, but I can't stress enough, that you don't have to move as much as they demonstrated, in order for your evasive movements to work successfully.
So ladies, by staying loose and keeping your wits about you - you can train all by yourself if you care to, by just practicing a few stepping movements, as well as rotating your trunk or "centerline" to disrupt an attacker and cause him/her to be unable to hit you.
In my martial arts training, many years ago, I was taught that if a punch missed you by an inch - that it was the same as missing you by a mile. Many women have never seen the great Muhammad Ali stand right in front of very large, muscular boxers and never be touched by their punches, as they came crashing toward him from every conceivable angle.
He's often called "the greatest" and he earned that reference, in part, because he was almost "impossible to hit," in the prime of his career. To watch him slip punches is comparable to watching any great artist ply their trade. Watching him avoid punches, taught me more than any other fighter, how easy it could be to move out of harm's way.
In our next post we'll continue to build on our study of self defense by exploring the next concepts:
"If you are attacked, that opponent has committed to a course of action."
"The course of action that an opponent has chosen can be exploited."
"If your opponent touches or grabs you - they have one less weapon in play than you do."
"When an opponent touches or grabs you - they have opened a target area that you can easily strike."
We'll have commentary and videos and spend quite awhile on these concepts. I hope you'll stick with us and share this blog with your friends.
Your comments are welcomed and my email address is located in my profile!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Self Defense Tips - Defending the Center Line
Here we are again with another video that illustrates how to protect yourself from strikes to the body.
These attacks (kicks, punches, pokes, grabs) are usually directed toward the "center line" of your body.
You can watch with your audio on or off, but focus on the movements that remove or turn the centerline away.
Disregard all counterstrikes or mention of them. Just concentrate on the ease of stepping out of the way or preferably, "turning the body" to move your centerline out of the way of incoming strikes.
I'd like to mention that the movements displayed are "more than necessary" to defend your centerline. It only take a few inches of movement in the directions illustrated to avoid being struck, or at least dissipate the energy of an incoming blow to your body's center line.
Please keep that in mind - the video below, is geared toward advanced martial arts students but is applicable to women who are interested in learning self defense.
Please enjoy it, think about it and watch it again. Maybe even stand up and try to imitate some of the movements?
Thanks for stopping in. I'll be back soon!
These attacks (kicks, punches, pokes, grabs) are usually directed toward the "center line" of your body.
You can watch with your audio on or off, but focus on the movements that remove or turn the centerline away.
Disregard all counterstrikes or mention of them. Just concentrate on the ease of stepping out of the way or preferably, "turning the body" to move your centerline out of the way of incoming strikes.
I'd like to mention that the movements displayed are "more than necessary" to defend your centerline. It only take a few inches of movement in the directions illustrated to avoid being struck, or at least dissipate the energy of an incoming blow to your body's center line.
Please keep that in mind - the video below, is geared toward advanced martial arts students but is applicable to women who are interested in learning self defense.
Please enjoy it, think about it and watch it again. Maybe even stand up and try to imitate some of the movements?
Thanks for stopping in. I'll be back soon!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Self Defense Tips - Removing Target Areas
In my last post, I pointed out some generalizations that "usually" hold true.
The first was: "The easiest way to avoid being struck is to remove the target."
I believe that self defense, geared for women, should always start out with natural and instinctive movements.
I am going to share a couple of videos that will help you to understand what I mean by "removing your targets." In this first video, don't pay attention to anything regarding punching or blocking. Simply pay attention to the movement of the head, waist and legs. Notice that it doesn't take much movement to avoid being struck in the head.
Also, you may get an idea of how easy it is to use your imagination, or to construct simple training aids to assist you in learning these concepts.
I'll be right back with another nice video that I found. It illustrates how turning your waist will cause body strikes to be missed and deflected into space, which allows you to get away or even strike an attacker while he is off balance. See you soon!
The first was: "The easiest way to avoid being struck is to remove the target."
I believe that self defense, geared for women, should always start out with natural and instinctive movements.
I am going to share a couple of videos that will help you to understand what I mean by "removing your targets." In this first video, don't pay attention to anything regarding punching or blocking. Simply pay attention to the movement of the head, waist and legs. Notice that it doesn't take much movement to avoid being struck in the head.
Also, you may get an idea of how easy it is to use your imagination, or to construct simple training aids to assist you in learning these concepts.
I'll be right back with another nice video that I found. It illustrates how turning your waist will cause body strikes to be missed and deflected into space, which allows you to get away or even strike an attacker while he is off balance. See you soon!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Self Defense Basics
I remember some early lessons that I still teach today.
These are generalizations that "usually" hold true:
The easiest way to avoid being struck is to remove the target.
If you are attacked, that opponent has committed to a course of action.
The course of action that an opponent has chosen can be exploited.
If your opponent touches or grabs you - they have one less weapon in play than you do.
When an opponent touches or grabs you - they have opened a target area that you can easily strike.
Alright? Those are a few that we'll discuss in future posts. More will follow.
Each generalized concept can be applied to hundreds of self defense scenarios.
We'll discuss or link to many self defense applications for the concepts that I've listed above.
Stick with me ladies, I'm going somewhere with this information. I'll post back soon!
These are generalizations that "usually" hold true:
The easiest way to avoid being struck is to remove the target.
If you are attacked, that opponent has committed to a course of action.
The course of action that an opponent has chosen can be exploited.
If your opponent touches or grabs you - they have one less weapon in play than you do.
When an opponent touches or grabs you - they have opened a target area that you can easily strike.
Alright? Those are a few that we'll discuss in future posts. More will follow.
Each generalized concept can be applied to hundreds of self defense scenarios.
We'll discuss or link to many self defense applications for the concepts that I've listed above.
Stick with me ladies, I'm going somewhere with this information. I'll post back soon!
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