An Introduction to Self Defense

If you are just expecting this introduction to Self Defense to teach a bunch of effective techniques and how to carry them out, you are well off the mark. However, you should be far from disappointed as there are many non-physical skills that will make you even more effective.

There are many people who realize that there is so much more to personal protection than just learning the physical techniques. If not, then this introduction to Self Defense will help you to become aware of that.

If violence has affected your life as it has mine then you will know that you cannot turn the clock back but must live with the consequences, good or bad.

Everyone is in a different situation with different ideas as to what their response would be in a violent assault. Everyone has different limitations, both physical and mental.

Escape - Many people would look to escape as quickly as possible but for others that may not even be an option. What about old people, people with disabilities, small or weak people or even those who have small children with them? These more vulnerable groups may not have the option of running so need to give themselves more options.

I came to realize that physical techniques, however effective, are no good without many other factors in place. For this reason, we will be covering many aspects beyond the learning of effective techniques.

There are several important aspects that you need to become aware of. The aim of this introduction to Self Defense is to help you gain that additional awareness. Some of the areas that we will cover to help build the required mindset are such topics as belief, instincts, fear, panic, Laws, avoidance, awareness and simplicity to name a few.

Self Defense can take up many forms. It can be a response to a vicious physical or sexual assault on yourself or another person. It could be dealing with an intruder into your home. It could be dealing with a verbal assault from an angry neighbor. It could also be dealing with bullying of various types.

Whatever type of attack it is you are confronting, it is necessary to arm yourself with some good basic information and if you can, make some time to attend a course to learn some effective techniques. Learning the information together with practicing techniques will increase your confidence and make you less likely to become a target.

Assess the Situation ASAP - At this point, let me just add that not all situations require a physical response but you Must learn to use your mind to quickly assess a situation and decide on the appropriate action to take.

Do not be mistaken that just learning a bunch of super effective techniques is enough for you to become effective, you are still right off the mark.

There have been many experienced Martial artists who have crumbled in real situations when solely relying on a physical response. However, you will be shocked to find out how potentially lethal you could be with little or even no previous training.

Expert? - You do not need to be a Martial Arts expert to protect yourself, in fact many styles can be a limiting factor as you are confined to the techniques and rules of that style.

Non Physical Strategies - Do not neglect the non-physical aspects of defending yourself as they are so important. Over several articles we will cover a number of the most important aspects of personal protection:

• Why developing a Belief in yourself is so important
• Control Fear and Avoid Panic otherwise it can have a paralyzing effect
• We all have an intuition or that Gut Feeling, learn to have trust in it.
• Know your Limits, how far would you go to protect yourself?
• Don't wait to be struck, be Pre-Emptive.
• Visualize and become proactive not reactive
• Awareness and Avoidance
• Why is a good Stance is so important?
• Body Mechanics to maximize striking power
• Targeting pressure point, weak or sensitive areas
• Why Simplicity of striking technique is critical

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