How To Empower Yourself With Self Defense

Maybe you were bullied in school, or maybe you live in a rough

neighborhood - whatever the case you just want to know how to

defend yourself. Self-defense training is a way to take back

control of your life, rather than cowering when a dangerous

situation arises. Many people will take self-defense courses,

or arm themselves with weapons or other self-defense tools.

No matter which course of action you take, there are some key

things you need to understand about self-defense. Here are a

few things that will help you in evaluating your self-defense

needs.

o If you choose a self-defense course, do your research on the

course. Not only should it offer physical techniques for

defense, but it should show you how to handle aggressive

conflicts, being aware of your surroundings, and what you need

to do to be safe. All good courses are a combination of things

to not only help you fend off a physical attack, but to avoid

them if you can.

o Whatever option you choose for self-defense, learn to execute

it properly. If you have a can of pepper spray or a pen knife,

find out everything you can about the application of these

products, what they can do, and maybe most importantly - what

they cannot do. If you are learning verbal avoidance and

awareness, learn as much as you can and apply what you have

learned regularly. The more you make self-defense a part of

your life, the greater the chance of it saving your life when

the time comes.

o Learn several options for self-defense. You may not be able

to get that can of pepper spray or the Taser out of your jacket

or purse, so an alternate strategy is important. It might be

worthwhile for you to take a brief course to learn the awareness

and resolution strategies, and a few close combat physical

techniques, along with carrying a self-defense product.

o If you like the idea of learning a discipline and perfecting

it over time, then marital arts classes might be the right idea

for you. You will be taught several physical techniques for

defense, along with personal discipline and in some classes you

will also learn simple escape techniques.

o Not one method can guarantee success, as each attack is

different. Don't let anyone tell you that they can guarantee

that you will get away from attacker with their system or their

self-defense weapon. This is impossible. No one can ever

predict or re-enact your attack when it happens. Being taught

how to respond is the only thing they can guarantee.

o Realize that any self-defense method, whether it is a weapon,

or physical defense strategy, is meant to merely provide an

opportunity to escape - never to continue engaging with an

attacker. If you are being taught to prolong your defense, or

to make the attacker 'pay' longer than they should, then you

might think twice about that option. The longer you are with

the attacker the more jeopardy you put yourself in, physically

and emotionally.

The options are there: weapons, physical defense such as karate

or other martial arts, and avoidance techniques. Find the right

one for you - one that you are most comfortable with, and stick

with it. Once you learn to defend yourself from attack, you

will feel empowered in the face of danger, rather than shying

away and being taken advantage of by your attackers. Confidence

and peace of mind are a much more enjoyable feeling than fear

and angst any day. Empower yourself with a self-defense option

- you won't regret it.

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