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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By Rob Goyettte