Self Defense

A common reason to get into the martial arts is for self defense. We want to feel confident and be able to protect ourselves in a confrontation. I've taught self defense in many different venues for many years and although I am a lifer in the martial arts, I am going to say that self defense is not about being a martial artist. Three big components are: AWARENESS, ATTITUDE, and COMMITMENT. Now I will heartily agree that those things can be learned and ingrained while practicing the marital arts. They are part of the self development that happens as you train. But they can be learned in short-term situations as well specifically for self defense.

There are many women, men, and kids out there that just cannot or will not commit to the training schedule of a martial artist, but they will take a weekend to become acquainted with some skills. Learning simple techniques that can keep them from harm definitely will increase their self confidence, which will help with their attitude i.e body language, voice, etc. Many self defense instructors work basic skills until their students feel comfortable. I think it is also important to work on awareness. Create some awareness games. Have someone dressed in outrageous clothes run through the class, unannounced, then ask about details remembered. I just read an email asking, "Are you a zombie?" Good question! Many of us are on autopilot way to often.

Stressing awareness, teaching awareness, encouraging to live in awareness is very important in my humble opinion.

You can't give everyone self confidence in a short weekend but you can get them to pretend. Pretending is the first step to realizing the possibilities and the jumping off point to believing. I've seen where even pretending an attitude throughout a class will have a difference in the self confidence a student gains.

Commitment. Working on giving it your all for whatever time is required is much different than practicing one or two techniques. One of the ways I introduce this idea is "Wild Squirrel". It should be done after the class has worked with each other for a bit and some personal barriers have softened because everyone will feel kind of silly doing this exercise. For that reason I usually have a couple of mats going at once so there is more than one person doing it at a time. The student lies down on a mat and starts kicking and screaming full tilt until one minute is up, then two, If you can go to three with everyone, it is even better. Students will tell you, it feels like forever. (Kids love it!) Adults often feel pretty good after getting their ya-ya's out.

There are lots of great ideas for self defense out there. I'd welcome any comments or sharing. . .