By Willie Elliott, D.Minn., MSW
The person most likely to take a self-defense course is a woman. Many of these women have been raped and/or physically or sexually abused at some point in their life. The main reason they sign up for self-defense is to learn how to defend themselves in a physical encounter with someone larger and stronger.
What Do Participants Learn?
Participants learn an integrative approach to dealing with physical aggression and verbal threat. This simple progression of skills will help participants develop greater awareness, communication techniques to defuse potentially volatile situations, and acquire competency in physical life-defense.
The steps move from strategies to carry out before the attack. Next to the prevention and postponement of physical aggression to finally self-defense tactics to combat an attacker. Participants are also taught the ethics of survival, which are:
- Avoid potentially dangerous situations.
- If possible run away from the situation.
- Attempt to talk your way out of the situation.
- The skills necessary to stop the attacker.
- The most important issue is to be able to demonstrate in a court of law that the person took all the steps necessary and possible not to physically engage her attacker and then did she only do what was necessary to save herself and/or others.
- Also, if the participant has children, she will want to know how to respond in a dangerous situation that involved her children.
How Many Sessions Are Usually Required?
The usual number two sessions a week for eight weeks. In these sessions the student learns to avoid dangerous situations either through verbal de-escalation or actually running away if possible. Then they will learn how to get out of dangerous situations through the skills necessary to convince the attacker to allow them to depart safely.
Are the Classes Expensive?
The cost will vary by instructor and location, but the fee often ranges between $80-100. Participants should also consider the potential cost of counseling that may be necessary to repair the emotional and/or physical damage that can occur during and after an attack.
Do Participants Need to Be in Good Shape?
If you can walk and chew gum at the same time you are in good enough shape to learn self-defense. For example, there is general physical conditioning that goes along with my class I teach. Students will exercise and get in shape as the course goes along. The physical conditioning will consist of a five-minute warm-up to get their blood flowing plus an exercise period of about 15 minutes of stretching for flexibility and activities to develop strength such as push-ups and crunches.
The impact of getting in shape will actually positively impact the self-esteem of the women. This is because as they get into shape, they will feel more confident about their ability to handle a physical confrontation. Also students will need to bring a note from their health care provider stating they can safely participate in the course and its activities.
What Is Beyond the Scope of a Self-Defense Course?
A self-defense course does not offer the same benefits of joining a Martial Arts Organization. After joining the Martial Arts Organization the student would begin a lifelong training in Karate-do. This training would consist of practicing two to three times a week, under the guidance of a certified instructor. The student would spend four to six years acquiring the knowledge and skills to become a black belt. A black belt means that the student is now officially recognized as a student of karate-do and now capable of truly learning the art of Karate-do. Also, at this point to aid in teaching other students, as teaching is the most effective way to learn this art form.
