Expert Self-Defense Training for women - in one afternoon
(310) 575-3737 Women's Self-Defense in Los Angeles
Expert Self-Defense Training for women - in one afternoon
(310) 575-3737 Women's Self-Defense in Los Angeles
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Personal safety matters. As concerns about everyday risks grow, learning simple, reliable self-defense skills is one of the most effective ways women can protect themselves and build real confidence. This article outlines practical moves, safety habits, and everyday tactics that make it easier to avoid danger and escape if a threat arises. We also cover mental preparation and the legal basics you should know so your response is both effective and informed.
Essential Moves
Essential moves focus on quick, high-impact hits that create an opening to get away. The goal is to disrupt the attacker long enough for you to escape—not to fight. Common, effective techniques include the heel stomp, which can immobilize an attacker by targeting the foot, and a finger jab to the eyes to buy critical seconds. These are simple, reliable actions designed for high-stress moments.
Practicing these moves regularly builds muscle memory so they feel instinctive under pressure.
Safety Strategies
Awareness is your first line of defense. Notice exits, obstacles, and people around you so you can choose the quickest path away from trouble. In parking lots, public transit hubs, and busy streets, identify escape routes and safe zones in advance.
Projecting confidence—upright posture, steady eye contact, and purposeful movement—can deter many would-be attackers. Have simple plans for likely scenarios (e.g., approached by a stranger, followed on foot) so your reaction is calm and decisive rather than reactive.
Practical Applications for Personal Protection
Turn everyday items into practical tools for defense: a pen, a book, a tablet or laptop can be used to create distance. Verbal techniques—clear, loud commands like “Leave me alone!”—draw attention and can stop an aggressor before a physical exchange starts.
Conscious Defense offers both in-person workshops that teach these skills in realistic, hands-on settings. Our courses help you practice the physical moves and decision-making needed to stay safe. Published books from Conscious Defense provide step-by-step guidance you can study outside of class.
Effective Self-Defense Moves for Beginners
Start with a few high-value moves you can learn and repeat until they feel natural. Beginner-friendly techniques include:
· Palm Strikes: Use the heel of the palm to strike the face or throat—powerful, simple, and easy to aim under stress.
· Elbow Strikes: Ideal in close quarters; elbows deliver force without needing much space.
· Knee Strikes: Targeting the groin can incapacitate an attacker and create an escape window.
These techniques are straightforward and effective when practiced regularly. Focus on accuracy, then speed, and follow-up movements to put distance between you and danger.
Comparison of Self-Defense Techniques
Understanding which technique fits a situation helps you respond faster. The table below summarizes common moves by where they’re applied and their typical impact.
Choose techniques that match the distance and angle of the encounter. Practice transitions so you can move from defense to escape smoothly.
Mental Preparedness for Personal Safety
Mental preparedness is as important as physical skill. Visualization—mentally rehearsing how you would respond—reduces hesitation and lowers stress during a real incident. Regular mental rehearsal strengthens confidence and clarity under pressure.
Workshops from Conscious Defense pair physical drills with mindset training so participants leave feeling both capable and calm. Building that mindset helps you make quick, safe choices in emergencies.
Important Legal Rights
Know your local laws about self-defense so you can protect yourself while minimizing legal risk afterwards. The right to defend yourself varies by jurisdiction, so understanding what’s considered reasonable force is important.
At Conscious Defense Self Defense School, we believe that everyone has the right to feel safe and confident in their ability to protect themselves and their loved ones. That's why we offer a self-defense workshop for students of all ages and skill levels. Our experienced instructors are dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and become the best version of yourself.
Always check with your local authorities
Survival Whistle
Neck Lanyards
Pepper Spray with dye
Stun Gun
Sound Grenade
Tactical Flashlight (200 lumens minimum)
Personal alarm pager
Sabre pepper gel
Ruger 3-way ultra system
Panic whistle – Self-Defense baton
Mace Screecher Pocket aerosol alarm 125 dB
Sabre wall-mounted pull cord panic alarm 120 dB
The Sting ring
The Gift of Fear book
Skunk necklace
Carry self-defense items in your car, purse, backpack, gym bag, and beside your bed... INSIDE OR OUTSIDE YOUR HOME AND BY YOURSELF THESE ITEMS SHOULD BE IN YOUR HAND - READY TO USE.
How to use a Kubotan.
A Kubotan is about a six-inch-long weapon made of either wood, plastic, or metal about as thick as a marking pen and fairly light. It can easily be transported and concealed. They are very inexpensive and can be purchased easily. It is a simple yet versatile self-defense instrument. It can be used to strike someone with the ends or to punch with it. Do not use it to whip keys attached to someone for this will cause little damage and just annoy many attackers.
It is perfect for a smaller person to up their striking/hitting power. When you hit someone’s soft spot you will either knock them out temporarily or cause a lot of damage. The best results occur when hitting soft spots. The best way to hold it is in the middle so you can strike someone using either end in a downward or upward strike. You can also put a thumb on one end or put your hand behind one end to increase the striking blow.
Keep your Kubotan concealed. You do not want to give your attacker notice. Hit soft spots as well as a collar bone, base of skull, elbows, and hands. Practice holding and striking with your Kubotan. Practice by hitting hard surfaces to get used to any movement the Kubotan will have in your hand. An alternative item is a “tactical pen”. I recommend a wavy shape for grip; and black. Buy two with one for practice.
How to use Pepper Spray.
Pepper spray can be very effective. First, become comfortable with a strong hold on the container of pepper spray. Get used to gripping and flipping the lock on and off. After every use of pepper spray get a new container. It is better than hoping you have enough left from last time. Know what distance you can spray. You always want to have a good safe distance between you and the attacker. Buy an extra container just to learn how to spray properly. Do it outdoors away from any living thing. Always try to spray with the wind on your back.
When spraying keep your arm about half extended not fully extended this gives you better control. Use your other arm to guard your spraying arm. Always carry your canister in your hands during any possible vulnerable situation. If you have any doubt about your safety be ready. You can stay prepared by holding the canister in a pocket in its own position. Know thoroughly how to arm and disarm your canister so it doesn’t accidentally discharge and do not disarm it until you know you are safe.
For almost all people when they are sprayed in the eyes they will close their eyes giving you the opportunity to escape. But be sure you were thorough in your spraying to have gotten both eyes well. As soon as you know you have gotten both eyes then immediately escape. It is important to stay calm as you keep your eyes on the threat at hand.
How to use a Stun Gun.
Considered better than pepper spray and more efficient in stopping and taking someone down. But you must know your weapon/tool so that it works for you and doesn’t get taken from you. Know your particular stun gun and what it can do. As soon as you get your stun gun learn how to use it well. Get familiar with all its parts and how it feels; how to turn it on and off. Then when you need it you are ready.
The best area to hit your target is between the neck to the bottom of the truck of the body. It is the largest part and the most effective part. If you can’t get to that part of the body, then aim for all meaty parts of the legs or shoulders. Know that you won’t be affected by contacting any part of the attacker being stunned. Though make sure you do not let the prongs touch your body. When you come in contact with your assailant hold on about 3-5 seconds. Be safe by ensuring your stun gun stays well-charged.
A stun gun will not knock you out. Though falling from a standing position and hitting your head on a hard surface could knock you out.
Do your own testing to see what phone application works for you.
A few of the Self-Defense Phone Applications:
Katana Safety
Circle of 6
Women Safety
bSafe
Guardly
Red Panic
React Mobile
Stay Safe
Watch Over Me
and many more.
SCENARIO QUESTIONS by Lori Hoeck
Questions you may want to think about. I know it’s difficult to take a hard look at the list of questions below. They represent dangerous situations, and no one ever wants to feel inadequate or fearful at any time in their life. If a person has never thought through danger, disaster, or self-defense, they may be empty of options when disaster strikes. However, the more you think through your options beforehand, the more able your responses. People with even a small sense of control over their situation perform better than those who believe they have no control. When you realize you have options, you are enabled to take more effective action. Please look over these questions and play some What Would I Do? scenarios through your mind. This is by no means an exhaustive list. You may know of similar instances from your life or stories told by friends or family members. When you are done, talk about them and visualize options:
✦ How far will I go to defend myself?
✦ What if someone walks into my school with a gun?
✦ What if someone picks a fight at a party? At a bar? At a family gathering?
✦ What if I’m in a store or bank that’s being robbed?
✦ What if my plane is hijacked?
✦ What if someone enters my church with a bomb?
✦ What can I do if attacked by more than one person?
✦ What will I do if the office sleaze propositions me?
✦ What if I wake up and a stranger is standing by my bed?
✦ What if I notice my front door lock is tampered with?
✦ What if I forget to monitor my drink at a party?
✦ What will I do if I get a text message that a shooter is in my building?
✦ What if someone starts showing road rage and tries to hit my car?
✦ What if a noise wakes me up, and I hear an intruder in the house?
✦ What if another parent at a youth sporting event threatens or strikes me?
✦ What if I work at a convenience store and someone pulls a gun on me?
✦ What if a date gets possessive in a way that freaks me out?
✦ What if my date starts to undress me and won’t listen to my objections?
✦ What if I’m walking by myself and notice someone following me?
✦ What if my car breaks down on the road, with no nearby help?
✦ What if my boss threatens to fire me if I do
Survive the Unthinkable: A Total Guide to Women’s Self-Protection by Tim Larkin (in my detailed book reviews)
Violence against women remains one of the most common human rights abuses in the world. Women age 15 through 44 are more likely to die or be maimed because of male violence than because of cancer, malaria, war, and traffic accidents combined.
Rape and attempted rape are very much silent assassins. Only 16 percent of rape victims actually report an incident to the police, which means that the statistics we have about rape in the U.S. barely reflect the grim reality. The World Health Organization has found that domestic and sexual violence affects 30 to 60 percent of women in most countries. And the majority of offenses are committed by someone the victim knows or at least recognizes.
Being able to protect yourself doesn’t require muscle, fancy techniques, or months of practice at the martial arts studio. All that you need to live confidently and joyfully is knowledge and the willingness to apply it.
My message to you is this: You can successfully defeat a bigger, stronger assailant. Knowing how to injure him is the key.
According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, one out of every six American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape; this translates to 17.7 million American women. Every two minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted, and more than 50 percent of all rapes/sexual assaults occur within one mile or at the victim’s home. Now, that’s scary stuff.
Myth: Rape is not very common.
Truth: One woman in six will be raped in her lifetime; one in four female college students will experience a rape or attempted rape while in school.
Think of someone you love more than anyone on the planet: Maybe it’s your daughter, your spouse, or your mom. Next, picture a violent sociopath with a knife against her throat. Or trying to pull her into a car. Or coming in through her bedroom window at night.
What does this do to you? What feelings sweep across your body?
The truth is... mothers lift cars off young children. Sisters jump in front of bullets. Friends jump into icy rivers. Our bodies are capable of tremendous physical feats when necessary.
All you really need to survive the unthinkable is the strength of will to do it.
Violence is always available; you just have to be willing to do it. You can swing the tool of violence whenever you wish, even at a moment’s notice.
Using your intuition is your first (and best) chance to avoid the unthinkable.
When you strengthen your intuition, you create healthy emotional and physical boundaries.
When you have these boundaries, you can more easily avoid predators.
Knowing how to use violence as a survival tool - and being willing to do so - puts you on even, flat terrain, even and equal with the worst of humanity.
Intent is simply the single-minded desire to survive, to the exclusion of all else.
The most powerful weapon in violence is control, and you know how to take it from him - by injuring him.
You know he’s human. He bleeds. And if he bleeds, you can injure him so that he can’t injure you.
The better trained you are to understand real violence, the more relaxed you become emotionally - and the more you get to enjoy your life rather than fear the unknown.
* * * * *
Fight Like a Girl... and Win by Lori Hartman Gervasi
When it comes to defending ourselves, we can never give up. There are no “do-overs” in real fights.
The Justice Department reports 74 percent of the time weapons are used and more than half the time multiple attackers work as a team.
The FBI reports that one in four women will be raped in her lifetime. A survey showed that 54 percent of rape and attempted rape victims are under eighteen years of age.
In 2005, rape and sexual assault victims were confronted by unarmed attackers in 85 percent of the incidents. Knives and firearms were used 3 percent of the time.
All attackers surprise their victims 100 percent of the time.
It’s been estimated that 95 percent of the victims transported to a second location do not survive.
Rapists seek out “the rapeable”. Their victims can include the old, the young, the innocent, and the vulnerable.
Statistics show that women with childhood histories that include sexual abuse are almost five times more likely to be raped as adults.
In any attack, there are always two questions that need to be answered intuitively, intelligently, and faster than the speed of light: 1. What is the level of force being used against me? 2. How much force is necessary to defend myself and escape?
It is the aggressive fighter with the more rigorous will to survive who will elevate herself, defend her ground, and ultimately win.
You are to be the survivor and the escape artist. You must always be the one who got away.
You have one single purpose of dire urgency: to make a safe escape with little or no injury inflicted upon you.
When words are flying but there is no physical contact, your best bet is to defuse the situation by not arguing back.
Always regard patience and self-control as two of your most valuable weapon of warfare.
When a situation arises. Be prepared. Get your hands above your belt. Protect your space by moving back and away from him if necessary. Keep breathing. Be quiet and make your move to immediately flee the entire situation.
Recognize his level of force, then if necessary go higher and harder.
Turn yourself into an animal. Show this monster that attacking you was the biggest mistake of his life.
Saving your life is your problem, your right, and your responsibility.
Women who look aware and constantly ready are the least likely to be chosen as victims.
Pick up the phone. Call 911 and inform the emergency operator that you are being harassed or threatened.
You’ll know this perfect stranger is a jerk when he tries to make you feel bad or guilty for not instantly trusting him.
In case you didn’t already know, the fight is in your eyes. You just have to start looking like it is.
Mad dogging will inspire you to take on a little animal behavior.
When dealing with strangers, the best rule of thumb is to keep them at least two to three feet away from you. The instant some guy comes up and gets in your space - dump that old space and claim new space.
The reality is that all fights hurt. Decide that pain won’t have the power to shock you or lock you into fear, paralysis, or submission.
If he attacks you or hurts you, let fury (violent anger) charge through your entire body. Use that emotion and the adrenaline it produces for all its worth.
The sad situation in regard to women and abuse is it is all too common. We decided to keep this list simple, to the point, and short.
- 1 in 6 women is a victim of rape. (The Rape Foundation) (This number has since gone up significantly.)
- 1 in 5 young women report assault while in college. (Kaiser Permanenhttps://websites.godaddy.com/newste)
- 2,300 Americans are reported missing—every day.
- 12 million Americans are sociopaths and have no feelings for other humans. (This does not mean all sociopaths assault and abuse women.)
- 81% of women report significant short-term or long-term impacts such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from assaults.
- California has the highest amount of Human Trafficking in the United States.
There are approximately 2.5 million survivors of rape and 8.6 million survivors of sexual violence other than rape living in California alone. (Petition for Sexual Assault Survivors' Bill of Rights)
The following quote is what we would like all women to clearly understand after our training.
“What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight - it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” Dwight D. Eisenhower
Self-Defense is the culmination of the evolution of your emotional intelligence, expansion of your awareness, the honing of your intuition, the refinement of your negotiation skills, fluidity of your physical soma, the release of your internal native power while directing your adrenaline to the stopping of a violent act subjected to you in your life.
Knowledge is power. You release your power when confronted with violence in this world by utilizing what you learn in the instruction focusing on using a conscious defense instead of a reactive fear based response. Or you give up physical violence in exchange for being conscious in your defense.
Autos provide a good bad situation. They are a thing of value so some people like to take them away from others. If someone wants to take your car let them. Your health and safety and life are worth way more than that piece of steel. But the good thing about a car is it can provide you with a very powerful weapon. A man, a knife, and many other weapons don’t compare to a car. Besides using it to fight against an attacker they are extremely useful in getting away. If someone pulls a weapon on you and you are in a car you can drive away. If they are using a weapon to threaten you from getting away you may have to use the car to nudge them out of the way. Then you quickly drive to someplace safe.
To keep you and those you care about safe with a car you do need to be vigilant. You need to pay attention to where you park, if you go to your car by yourself, if your car is parked next to a van especially if someone is in that van. Keep in mind more people get attacked in parking lots than in any other location. If it doesn’t look safe or feel safe get help... do not fight against your instinct. Call a friend, a security guard, or a business owner, call your family or parents. Those who care about you would rather come and help than find out some other bad news.
And keep items in your car and with you to help in case of a surprise assault. The glove box and your purse can keep a variety of items to help you.
AWARENESS... ASSERTIVENESS... AGGRESSION... ACTION. These four words encompass our basic mindset in our training. Your primary task is to stay aware at all times and especially if something appears to be out of order. You then must move asserting your position in whatever way helps your situation. Be it leaving, running, tossing keys or valuables, or an alarm or negotiating. If this doesn’t solve your problem then you must immediately shift to your next line of defense... aggression. Aggression is what gives you the power you need to face violence. Aggression gives you an equal standing to violence. It shifts you from just standing up for your rights to fully committing yourself to defend yourself at all costs. Then a split second later you have one choice if they aren’t stopping or backing away with their potential assault you must act. Act in the form of motion. A very aggressive motion at your attacker. That action does not stop until the attacker stops moving anywhere in your direction. Immediately check no one else is around to also attack you. Too often attackers have backups. And yes you must do to them whatever you did to the first one... stop them in their tracks with whatever it takes. Then quickly get to a safe place.
Though very brutal at times street fighting is a reality one might encounter. Though, I have taken martial arts and other forms of fighting most of my life there is nothing like street fighting. In all forms of fight training, you have restrictions and controls on all you do. And for a very good reason. If everyone taking training was to really even try to hurt other people who are taking training with you you would have most students being damaged most of the time. Due to the guidelines used in training to fight you are holding back, not using anything close to your potential, not hurting the other person or visa-a-versa, and as soon as someone is injured or tired or whatever the training normally comes to a halt and things are improved to ensure the safety of all.
In real life, you have no guidelines, restrictions, controls, or any help. When someone attacks on the streets they are not going to hold back and they are going to give it their all right up front. Now that is unless they are drunk or under the influence of drugs or scared or have decided not to fight like a street fighter. A street fighter is going to use all his force to take you down as fast and hard as he can. He didn’t come there to spar or play or have a friendly fight or scuffle. He is there to hurt you to damage you to injure you and does not care about your life.
If you are fighting with a street fighter he will be going to hit you by surprise, not stop hitting you until you are down, and may still keep pounding or kicking you with his body and whatever he can get a hold of to beat you down. Remember he does not care if you go to the hospital or die as long as he isn’t hurt.
Now, street fighters aren’t always looking for a fight but if you get into a fight with one you better try to get out of it before any punches fly or if you have to fight you better give it your maximum or you will be laying bloody on the ground.
One of the key differences with a street fighter is he is unpredictable, doesn’t want to get beat, and will normally try to knock you out by hitting first and/or with as much power as he can muster up. Even if his first punch is after your first attempt or punches he will be swift and powerful. Streetfighters or attackers normally never fool around.
WomenStrength
National Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCASA)
Guidelines on Choosing a Women's Self-Defense Course
Ideally, a good self-defense program should reflect these philosophical points in its outlook:
One
Women do not ask for, cause, invite, or deserve to be assaulted. Women and men sometimes exercise poor judgment about safety behavior, but that does not make them responsible for the attack. Attackers are responsible for their attacks and their use of violence to overpower, control, and abuse another human being.
Two
Whatever a woman's decision in a given self-defense situation, whatever action she does or does not take, she is not at fault. A woman's decision to survive the best way she can must be respected. Self-defense classes should not be used as a judgment against a victim/survivor.
Three
Good self-defense programs do not "tell" an individual what she "should" or "should not" do. A program should offer options, techniques, and a way of analyzing situations. A program may point out what USUALLY works best in MOST situations, but each situation is unique and the final decision rests with the person actually confronted by the situation.
Q: What is Women's Self-Defense?
Self-defense is a set of awareness, assertiveness, verbal confrontation skills, safety strategies, and physical techniques that enable someone to successfully escape, resist, and survive violent attacks. A good self-defense course provides psychological awareness and verbal skills, not just physical training.
Q: Does Self-Defense Work?
Yes. Self-defense training can increase your options and help you prepare responses to slow down, de-escalate, or interrupt an attack. Like any tool, the more you know about it, the more informed you are to make a decision and use it.
Q: Is Self-Defense a Guarantee?
No. There are no guarantees when it comes to self-protection. However, self-defense training can increase your choices and your preparedness.
Q: Is There a Standard Self-Defense Class?
No. There are many formats for training. They may be as short as two hours or as long as 8 weeks or a semester. Whatever the length of the program, it should be based on maximizing options, simple techniques, and respect for women's experience.
Q: Is There a Course I Should Stay Away From?
Only you can answer this question. Find out about the philosophy of the program and the background of the instructor. Observe a class session if you can and talk to an instructor or a student. Is the instructor knowledgeable and respectful of your concerns? Is it a length that you can commit to and at a cost that you can afford? You deserve to have all your questions answered before taking a class.
Q: Who's Better, a Male or Female Instructor?
There is an advantage to having a female instructor as a role model who has similar experiences surviving as a woman. All-woman classes tend to provide an easier atmosphere in which to discuss sensitive issues. On the other hand, some women feel having male partners to practice with can add to their experience. The quality of a class depends on the knowledge, attitude, and philosophy of the instructor, not necessarily on gender. The most important aspect is that the instructor, male or female, conducts the training for the students geared to their individual strengths and abilities. Feeling safe and building trust comes before learning.
Q: Must I Train for Years to Learn to Defend Myself?
No. A basic course can offer enough concepts and skills to help you develop self-protection strategies that you can continue to build upon. Self-defense is not karate or martial arts training. It does not require years of study to perfect. There are women who have successfully improvised and prevented an assault and never have taken a class. Women often practice successful self-defense strategies without knowing it!
Q: If I Used Physical Self-Defense Could I Get Hurt Worse?
The question to answer first is what "hurt worse" means. Rape survivors speak eloquently about emotional hurts lasting long after physical hurts heal. Studies show a physical self-defense response does not increase the level of injury, and sometimes decreases the likelihood. Also, women going along with the attacker have sometimes been brutally injured anyway. The point of using self-defense is to de-escalate a situation and get away as soon as possible. Knowing some physical techniques increases the range of possible self-defense options, but the decision to choose a physical option must remain with the person in the situation.
Q: What Does Realistic Mean?
Words like "most realistic," "best," "guaranteed success," etc. are all advertising gimmicks. Choosing a self-defense class is a serious decision and is preferably based on some research. No program or instructor can replicate a "real" assault since there are so many different scenarios, and because a real attack would require a no-holds-barred fight which would be irresponsible and extremely dangerous to enact. Responsible self-defense training requires control. It is important that each student in a class is able to control her own participation in the class and never feels forced to participate.
Q: What is the Role of Mace or Other Aggressive "Devices" as Self-Defense Aids in Harming an Attacker?
Any device is useless to you unless you understand how to use it, and you have it in your hand ready to use at the time of the attempted assault. There is nothing "guaranteed" about any of these devices. None are foolproof. None of them can be counted on to work against all possible attackers (no matter what the labeling may state to the contrary). Realize that anything you can use against an attacker can also be taken away and used against you. While some of these devices have sometimes helped women to escape to safety, it is important to be aware of their limitations and liabilities.
Q: How Much Should I Pay?
Paying a lot of money for a course does not mean that you automatically get better instruction. On the other hand, don't assume that all programs are the same and just go for the cheapest. It is always beneficial to be an educated consumer. Shop around the same as for anything else you buy that is important to you.
Q: Where Can I Find a Self-Defense Class?
Check with your local rape crisis center. Some centers provide self-protection classes or can refer you to one. YWCAs and Community Colleges sometimes offer classes. Check the phone book. If there isn't one in your community, get involved and try to organize one.
Q: Am I Too Old? Out of Shape? What if I Have Some Disabilities?
You don't have to be an athlete to learn how to defend yourself. A good program is designed to adapt to every age and ability and provides each student with the opportunity to learn. Each individual is unique, and students should be able to discuss their own needs. Some programs have specialized classes for specific groups.
Q: How Can I Tell a "Good" Course From a "Bad" One?
A good course covers critical thinking about self-defense strategies, assertiveness, powerful communication skills, and easy-to-remember physical techniques. The instructor respects and responds to your fears and concerns. Instruction is based on a belief that women can act competently, and decisively, and take action for their own protection. Essentially, a good course is based on intelligence and not muscle. It offers tools for enabling a woman to connect with her own strength and power. These courses are out there. Good luck with your research. Taking a self-defense class is one of the most positive acts a woman can do for herself!
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Self-defense for women: be aware and use instincts
By N.F. Mendoza (The Argonaut January 11, 1990 Page 32)
Thinking “It’ll never happen to me” can be a woman’s worst defense against rape and crime. According to crime prevention specialists, being aware and acting instinctively are a woman’s greatest defense.
The National Safety Council has released information indicating that 84,000 women are raped, 500,000 people are robbed and 685,000 people are assaulted.
While self-defense experts differ on recommended styles of defeating crime, most believe that attitude is the important thing.
Lisa Silwa, a spokeswoman for Guardian Angels and wife of its founder Curtis Silwa, says that attitude counts for 90 percent in getting out of or away from a crime.
Silwa encourages women, when attached, to immediately think, “I will not be victimized.” Many near-rape victims have said that positive thinking helped them a great deal.
The various steps in preparing for confrontations may seem obvious, but many women simply prefer to not think about being victimized.
Here is a list of techniques and reminders that various self-defense experts advocate:
· Along with an inner attitude, an outward display of confidence is important. Walk straight and don’t look like an easy target.
· Don’t fight with an attacker unless your life is in danger – just bruising him may incense him further. If you must fight back, aim for vulnerable spots. Effective strategies include a heel stomped down on an instep, fingers in the eyes, or a blow to the crotch.
· If you carry Mace, a stun gun, or a “shrieker” (an aerosol can that emits a deafening scream), have them handy.
· If you must walk at night, know which stores or gas stations are open. Run into one of them in an emergency.
· You are more visible walking near the center of the road than on a dark sidewalk, but be sure to watch out for traffic.
· If someone walks behind you, yell to a nearby house something like, “Hey John, I thought you were meeting me outside.” This may catch potential attackers off-guard.
· Avoid deserted streets and trust your gut reactions and your instincts.
· When you are arriving home, beware of what police call “push-in” robbers, who run up behind a potential victim, push her into her home, go in after her, and shut the door.
· Look around you and have your keys in hand.
· If you live in an apartment building with an elevator and are in the elevator with someone you are uncomfortable with, don’t worry about offending the person. Get off the elevator. “Oh, I forgot my bag” is a convenient excuse, if you’re worried about running into this neighbor at a later date.
· In your home, always deadbolt all doors that lead to the outside. Secure sliding glass doors with rods, and windows with locks.
· Installing a house alarm system is a good idea. Some insurance companies Give discount rates for an especially “secure” household.
· Close draperies and blinds in this evening.
· One crime expert recommends unplugging all phones outside the bedroom because thieves often take phones off the gook, which interrupts service and prevents calls for help.
· You may want to employ a small rubber doorstop wedged on the inside of your bedroom door for extra prevention. Never leave your bedroom to confront an intruder.
· If someone touches you in public, remove his hand and shout loudly. Embarrass him. You don’t have to be antagonistic, but you must be firm. Say “Leave me alone.”
· If you ride a bus, sit near the driver.
· When you are parking your car in a garage or parking lot, be sure the area is well-lit. Park near the entrance to the building or near the guard booth, if there is one.
· When returning to your car, look around you and have your keys ready. If you are trying to balance packages, place the packages in one hand and your keys in the other. Put your packages down and open the car door. Look around you as you load your purchases into the car.
· A great concern of self-defense experts is women who drive alone. If your car breaks down on the road, stay inside the car, lock the doors, and put the hazard lights on. If someone offers help, do not get out of the car and do not get into his car. Ask him to call help for you. Many women have gotten into “tow trucks” or “mechanic trucks” only to be taken to a secluded place and raped.
· Police warn of a new ploy by criminals who pretend to “bump” your car. Once you get out of your car to inspect the damage, the criminals either rob you, steal your car or, even worse, kidnap you.
· Self-defense experts recommend that women who jog should always jog with someone else.
Joggers should never run in a secluded area or a high-crime district. They should never wear jewelry or carry a wallet. The experts recommended carrying only keys and maybe a “shrieker,” and running against traffic so that unwanted interest can be spotted.
· Public awareness that “acquaintance rape” is indeed a crime is fairly new and has become a current media topic.
Women must overcome the misconception that a rapist is not just a stranger lurking in a dark alley. Studies have indicated that 60 to 80 percent of sexual assaults were committed by a casual friend, a co-worker, or a family member.
Chimera
One self-defense technique, developed in Chicago in 1976, is called Chimera. Chimera is a feminist approach that employs both martial arts and verbal assertiveness. Chimera’s promoters are firm believers in the power of a big “No!”
The name Chimera refers to a mythical female monster associated with illusory fear. Chimera proponents believe that helplessness is a myth.
Chimera differs from other forms of martial arts in addressing the psychological component of violence against women. It teaches that a rapist is motivated by the desire to humiliate his victims, rather than for sexual gratification.
Chimera is a confidence builder and its students are encouraged to be loud and aggressive. They believe an assailant often “checks out” his potential victim to see if she would be an easy target. Chimera believes in surprising the attacker, and the instructors visualize various threatening scenarios.
For example, if a doctor touches you or does something you are not comfortable with, Chimera emphasizes that you should demand a nurse be present or say, “I want to end this exam.”
It is assertiveness training, but it also prepares women to be strong in their own defense.
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5 sensible self-defense tips for women returning to college campuses
(Extracted from Aug. 27, 2014, at 5:44 AMEun Kyung Kim at Today.com)
As students flood college campuses across the country, many female undergrads will explore their new surroundings, meet new friends — and may find their personal safety compromised at one point, whether at social events, inside dorm rooms or even just walking home at night from the library.
Colleges are trying to arm students with self-defense strategies, as well as raise their overall awareness about violence and sexual assault.
Personal security consultant Avital Zeisler demonstrated self-defense techniques that all women in all stages of life can easily apply to protect themselves physically, and especially mentally. She said learning those techniques helped her overcome the trauma of a sexual assault.
"It was actually learning self-defense that gave me empowerment and gave me the courage to move forward," said Zeisler.
"I’m redefining self-defense for women, that it's about you attacking life and not letting it attack you," she said. "It's about learning how to create, how to live a life that you love but still know how to protect it."
Zeisler said all women can protect themselves by becoming harder targets, mainly by being more aware of their surroundings.
Here are 5 tips on how to do just that:
1. Increase peripheral vision
Widening your scope of vision will help you recognize suspicious people faster, as well as potential escape routes and what items nearby can be used as weapons, Zeisler said. A drill she often uses with her students to increase peripheral vision is to practice talking with someone while trying to identify what’s nearby without moving their head.
Learn how to defend yourself.
2. Locate the nearest exit
Not all exits are created equal, however. “Just because a sign hangs over a door doesn’t mean it’s a viable exit,” Zeisler said. The door may lead to a stairwell; a confined location she considers dangerous for women. Exits that immediately lead to the ground level or somewhere outdoors are best. If no such path exists, then prepare mentally to “close in and initialize the threat on the spot before you can safely escape.”
3. Improvised weapons
Nearly anything nearby can be turned into an impact weapon, such as a pen sitting in your pocket, or that snow globe on the nightstand. Always have something within arm’s reach that can be grabbed instinctively if confronted.
“It’s not just knowing what’s in your surroundings, but it’s also strategically placing things to make them work for you tactically in a worst-case scenario,” said Zeisler, who recommends holding keys (the longest or hardest, preferably) between your index and middle fingers.
Any weapon used can disrupt an attacker’s thought process and buy a victim time. “Even if we’re talking a few milliseconds, and in self-defense that’s a lot of time,” she said.
4. The power of the purse
The purse makes a “phenomenal” shield, said Zeisler, who carries hers diagonally across her body. Using a purse as a shield will help redirect an attacker’s attention.
“It’s also effective because it frees your legs up if you have to kick someone or do anything to weaken him before you close in on the person,” she said.
5. Stop and pass
If you think someone is following you, stop and let that person pass. Pretend you need to go in a different direction or take a phone call — just make sure you don’t expose your back to the person. Then look at the individual’s reaction, which may help confirm whether he or she is a potential threat.
Above all else, self-defense experts insist, trust your instincts. Lose the fear about coming across as rude and go with your natural intuition, Zeisler said.
If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t, added Scott Berkowitz, president, and founder of Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN).
“If you feel like a situation doesn’t feel quite right, get out of there, or do what you need to do to find a friend,” he said. “Lie about it. Say you have to go to the bathroom or go outside, whatever you need if you’re feeling awkward or feeling pressure.”
Berkowitz said self-defense techniques have increasingly received more attention on school campuses nationwide. Many colleges now offer classes in a system known as Rape Aggression Defense.
“There’s also a lot of attention on prevention messaging, particularly bystander programs,” Berkowitz said, referring to methods that teach students about identifying social situations that could turn dangerous and how to use easy, non-confrontational ways to help remove themselves and their friends from those scenarios.
“It’s more of a mindset, in the same way, that TSA or anybody else talks about, ‘See something, say something,’” he said. “It’s sort of, ‘Here are signs to look out for, and here’s what you can do about it when you see them.'”
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SELF DEFENSE TACTICS WOMEN MUST BE AWARE OF
(Extracted from MARCH 21, 2015 GHOST6ROBERT)
People all over the world are learning self-defense. It is difficult to tell when you’ll have to look after yourself from a would-be assailant or be put in a violent situation where you need to protect yourself. The sorts of assaults that women can face can be really dangerous, and the outcome may alter their lives if the encounter is an aggressive assault. Women, for the most part, may have to fight off individuals that are stronger or larger than they are. As a result, you have to consider the various types of attacks that may come your way. This article will check out a few techniques for protecting yourself, specifically helping women to fight assailants and reduce assaults.
It is sensible to prepare yourself as fully as you can and enrolling in a self-defense class could be the best investment you can make against any future attack. In looking for a class, you need to keep in mind that this is for the purpose of defending yourself, so you want to learn a few techniques as soon as possible that could be used in a real situation. What you need to be seeking is an instructor who is skilled in helping women specifically protect themselves. This would be the most ideal choice for a class on self-defense.
You want to make certain you are not caught by surprise. Always be aware of your surroundings, especially the people that are walking nearby. The sense of awareness will definitely keep you safe. An assault by a total stranger is not always easy to foresee but by using your normal sense of intuition, you can sometimes avoid situations by simply acting on your instincts. If you feel that your instincts are leading you to walk away, you need to decide to do so, rather than wait around to see if you were right. Sad to say, strangers are not the only people who might attack you. People that you know may also be possible assailants. In case your inner voice is telling you that you do not want to find yourself alone with a particular man or woman then act to keep yourself safe rather than regretting it later.
Also, it is possible that you’re going to find yourself in a dangerous situation, where your only alternative is to fight back. You are going to always be in a better position to look after yourself from an attacker if you’ve got self-defense lessons under your belt. People who will attack are usually interested in passive people, people who are frozen with fear, and not able to defend themselves. This gives them a sense of control and power. If you shout loudly at a person to stop and generally make a lot of noise, you can make an assailant think twice about going through with their attack. Nonetheless, if it comes to it, you need to do whatever you can to hurt your attacker and this includes striking them in weak areas so that you can escape if possible.
You should be able to protect yourself if you use self-defense lessons, plus your instinct, in these situations. Unfortunately, women will always be the target of assaults, which is why you must learn how to protect yourself appropriately.
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9 common-sense safety tips for women who run — and everyone else
By BONNIE MCCARTHY in the Los Angeles Times
SEP 22, 2018 | 6:00 AM
For women, running alone has its risks, but that’s not news to those who do it. A recent Runner’s World survey reported that 43% of women said they experience harassment at least sometimes during a run, and the number increases to 58% for women under 30 — compared with 4% of all men. And the fatal attack on Mollie Tibbetts — an Iowa woman out on her daily run — was an extreme, headline-making example of the danger women can face while out running on their own.
Bethany Mavis, the managing editor for San Diego-based Women’s Running magazine, said women shouldn’t cower in fear of going for a solo run, which can be a great mental health strategy. “Women runners don’t want that taken away from them. A lot of women need that freedom and the clarity that comes from running outside alone.”
Her advice? “You can be careful,” Mavis said, “without being fearful, and you can take certain precautions.”
She encourages everyone — not just runners, not just women — to follow some common-sense safety rules. Here are a few of those rules from Mavis, and from the Road Runners Club of America:
1. Save the headphones for the gym, or in similarly well-populated situations. Headphones can be a distraction, and make us less aware of our surroundings. But if you can’t resist, there are many new headphones on the market that are not worn inside the ear.
2. If you’re running solo, consider choosing a busier route where help is more readily available, over a more isolated scenic one.
3. Let someone know where you’re going, and when you will be back.
4. Consider wearing a device or using an app that can keep track of your whereabouts, and granting someone else the ability to access the information. Mavis likes a GPS-enabled Garmin watch with a live tracking feature. There are many free simple apps, such as Life360, that can let someone keep track of your progress on a solo run.
5. Consider carrying a whistle or alarm, or pepper spray — and learn how to safely use it.
6. The buddy system never hurts. While running solo can be a joy, consider partnering up with a friend or a dog for safety.
7. Carry a fully charged cell phone in case you need to call for help. 8. Run clear of parked cars and bushes. 9. Trust your intuition. Don’t worry about embarrassing yourself, or being polite. Learning to protect yourself.
Learning to protect yourself
Self-defense training teaches students how to detect potential problems in their surroundings, and how to stay calm and deflect and respond to a variety of attack scenarios. While many places charge for their services, you may find that some employers, universities, police departments, city council offices, and other organizations offer free self-defense workshops in your community — scout around online too. Here are just a few of the many places to seek empowerment in Southern California:
Shield Women’s Self-Defense Teaches women how to fight back against a much stronger opponent. Classes are held in Culver City, starting at $325. shieldselfdefense.com
Model Mugging Coaches women through a variety of scenarios, helping them to “turn fear into power.” Workshops are held at venues throughout Southern California. Classes start at $475. modelmugging.org
Conscious Defense Teaching women the confidence they need to be “strategically smarter” than an attacker. Classes are held in the West Los Angeles area. Four-hour workshops at $120, bring a friend for an additional $90. ConsciousDefense.com
PRODUCTS TO CONSIDER - examples of products available to you
My current favorite is the Katana Safety an attached device to your phone, very thin, buy at $99 with a monthly or yearly fee. Live support is 24x7. GPS tracking, friend contacts, silent and audible alarms. (www.KatanaSafety.com)
Run Angel, $99.99 at RunAngel.com, can be activated with a single touch to blast a 120-decibel alarm. ADVERTISEMENT Once triggered, the wristband pairs with Bluetooth to send out emergency alerts and syncs with smartphone apps to transmit the date, time, and location of the wearer. (Miki Barlok)
The lightweight Garmin Forerunner 35 running watch, $170 at Garmin.com, comes equipped with live GPS tracking that allows family or friends to follow your run in real-time — along with a host of health and training features. (Garmin)
Runner Pepper Gel with adjustable hand strap at SabreRed.com. Wearsafe, right, is a Bluetooth-enabled, modern-day, mobile panic button and lifetime service subscription, $150 at Buy.Wearsafe.com. (SabreRed; Wearsafe)
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