The Martial Arts – Common Types and How They Can Empower Women

When it comes to self defense, some women may turn to the martial arts for guidance. In fact, there are some martial arts studios that focus on special training classes just for women who are seeking techniques and moves that will help them avoid or even fight against physical altercation. Perhaps one of the best things about the martial arts for women seeking the tools for self protection is that the study of it can give them a sense of empowerment. The practice of martial arts can help women who feel timid or defeated a sense of confidence as well as help build their strength and hone their self defense skills.

There are a number of types of martial arts to choose from and many of them will offer some form of self defense classes for women. Regardless of which one you might choose for yourself, if you stick with the exercise and practice regiment, you will discover that you are stronger and sharper after just a few months. For the most part, an assailant will likely test the waters with you first before trying an assault. Through lewd conduct and comments, a perpetrator is seeking what type of person you are – strong or passive – so they know just how far they can push you. Studying martial arts will not only give you that boldness you need to turn a potential assailant off before they even start.

Training in the martial arts will not only show you the ropes in regard to self defense but you will notice other areas of your life benefit as well. Your physical and mental health progress positively and you will likely notice an increase in focus as well as concentration. Self confidence is almost certainly a given. When you work hard toward a goal and actually achieve it, this helps build fortification around your psyche so that you can handle whatever dangerous situation is thrown at you. Martial arts will also help you become more in tune with your body and you will discover hidden depths.

There is no right or wrong type of martial arts to study as they all are beneficial. However, each of them has their own general style so it is important to experiment with a few to discover the right one for you to incorporate into your self defense plan. Here is a breakdown of the most popular martial arts disciplines:

Karate – This discipline focuses in on perfecting your aim and punch along with accurate kicking and other fancy footwork. Karate is perhaps one of the easiest martial arts forms for women to master.

Judo – Judos approach is one of using your opponents strength against them. In other words, you learn to read your opponent and anticipate their next move so that you can combat it.

Aikido – The fighting portion of this martial arts discipline focuses in on ways to re-channel the energy of your potential assailant. There are a number of poses that can be used and visualization is key as well.

Kung Fu – A form of boxing originating in China, Kung Fu incorporates both the physical and mental aspects of fighting. This martial arts discipline teaches you how to channel your feelings into your Kung Fu performance. This discipline can be rather empowering to females.
Kickboxing – While not an official martial arts discipline, kickboxing is a great physical activity to learn for self defense purposes. You learn to box and kick at the same time using alternating moves. This discipline helps build muscle in women and the moves can definitely help women escape assailants.

It is totally up to you to decide which martial arts discipline, if any, would best serve you on your quest for self defense techniques. Sit in on a few classes and then compare each. Usually after one or two visits you can get a sense of what would best fit you.

Womens Self Defense Technique - Portray Confidence and Avoid an Attack

Presentation is half the battle when it comes to fending off potential attackers interested in you. A criminal with their eye on you does not want a female willing to fight, make noise and generally cause trouble because that puts their nefarious acts in jeopardy which could lead straight to a jail cell. Do you know how to present yourself in public so as to avoid unwanted attention? Do you even realize that you may inadvertently be presenting a demeanor that invites trouble from criminals? Here are some things to watch out for or do in order to present the façade you need in order to avoid a criminal act committed against you:

Perk up that self-esteem and self-confidence. Nothing says "pick on me" more than a timid little mouse of a woman with slumped shoulders and head down with the air of someone who is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. If you do this, you are just begging for trouble. Focus on the positives or at least pretend to the outside world while you are out in it that you are confident and unworthy of criminal attention.

The best way to portray self-confidence is to walk tall. Hold your shoulders back and head held high. Look ahead; greet people by looking them in the eye. Dont cross your arms but hold them loosely by your side. Women who take martial arts or some type of self defense class ends up walking tall with confidence because knowing you can defend yourself is empowering and this is what turns criminals off.

Do not walk with your hands in your pockets or your arms crossed. This ties up your hands and prevents you from protecting yourself should an attacker confront you suddenly. But if an attacker should approach you, your arms would be free to defend yourself and you have a better chance of escape. You cannot grab and twist a mans groin area to immobilize him nor can you jab an eye out or impede his breathing with a well-placed hit to the throat if your arms are otherwise occupied.

Make sure that you make as much eye contact as possible when you are walking in public. Assailants do not like that because you could potentially identify them. Eye contact is a common problem with both men and women these days – they do not tend to do it while in public. This makes them one step removed from the action and therefore they are vulnerable. If you conduct a little personal experiment on your own by walking in your local mall or even grocery store, trying to engage eye contact, you will discover that less than half are forthright enough to look you back in the eye. The result is quite staggering!

If trying to portray confidence to the public is very difficult for you, you will have to do something about it in order to defend yourself. While it may go against the grain your being, half the battle is mental. You have to tell yourself that you are worthy. Choose an activity that empowers you; a self defense class, of course, would be optimal. Think about this empowering activity while you are out and about in public.

Portraying self-confidence is not always easy so you must practice it. You will discover that holding your head high and looking people in the eye costs you nothing, however you gain not only more self-respect but also a greater security. Remember, how you feel is half the battle and what you show is the other half. Work hard to try and meld the two together.

Tasers and Stun Guns – Viable Defense for Women?

While attacks on people do occur on men, women are the most vulnerable as they are usually not as strong. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, but overall, women are weaker than men when it comes to being attacked. Enrollment for self defense classes for women is on the rise because crime against a person is on the rise. With that increased figure comes an increase in the sale of personal defense devices such as mace, tasers and stun guns.

Stun guns are battery operated devices which can be held in the palm of your hand and can be used to convey an electrical shock when used against someone attacking you. These electronic gadgets are not gun sin a conventional sense as you do not load bullets or anything else other than batteries on occasion. Instead, a stun gun employs two contacts made from metal that have to be held against your attacker as your hand depresses a button to deliver the electrical charge.

Tasers are also battery operated devices that deliver a charge to the attacker in the hopes of temporarily detaining them so that you can get away. However, with tasers, they launch two barbs made from metal over a distance. They work well over just a few yards but any further, they are not effective. The metal barbs are attached to the electronic device by wires and are supposed to become attached to an attacker when aimed at them.

The effect of both stun guns and tasers are controversial to a point as they do not always subdue an attacker. They work by delivering an electrical charge that is supposed to interrupt the regular function of the neuromuscular system, causing loss of control in the muscles as well as pain and extreme fatigue. Unfortunately, prolonged contact with the stun gun and taser is needed to effectively work, especially on larger attackers who can work through the pain of the electrical shock delivered by the metal barbs or prongs.

Because tasers and stun guns are not 100% effective in an attack, they are not normally recommended for women as a reliable form of self defense. In fact, many reports have shown that the attacker can easily take over the situation and get possession of the electronic devices and use them against the women who own them. In other words, the very devices that are made to protect the women against an attacker can be used against them. Therefore, if a female plans to carry a stun gun or taser anyway, they need to be well-versed in its operation as well as self defense moves so that the device is not appropriated by force and used against them.

Of course, stun guns and tasers may be a moot point for some women as they are restricted in its use and ownership in some states across the country. Therefore, if these devices are still be considered as a potential self defense tool, ladies need to research the laws regarding ownership and use of them in their state. Plus, if they travel across state lines or even fly, they must be well-versed in the laws in the places they visit as well.

All in all, both self defense instructors and law enforcement agree that stun guns and tasers may be of use as a back-up but women should not solely rely on them to make a significant impact in subduing an attacker. Many tests show that you would have to have prolonged continuous contact in order for the stunning effect to be effective which means staying up close and personal with the attacker. And if the attacker is one of those individuals that are not particularly affected by the shock produced by the stun gun or taser (think high on drugs), you are in a world of trouble. While they may be great tools to have, women should not place their life on the line by depending on them. Depend on yourself and become well versed in self-defense moves rather than tools.

Stay Out of your Comfort Zone and Face These Crime Statistics Against Women

Because tasers and stun guns are not 100% effective in an attack, they are not normally recommended for women as a reliable form of self defense. In fact, many reports have shown that the attacker can easily take over the situation and get possession of the electronic devices and use them against the women who own them. In other words, the very devices that are made to protect the women against an attacker can be used against them. Therefore, if a female plans to carry a stun gun or taser anyway, they need to be well-versed in its operation as well as self defense moves so that the device is not appropriated by force and used against them.

Of course, stun guns and tasers may be a moot point for some women as they are restricted in its use and ownership in some states across the country. Therefore, if these devices are still be considered as a potential self defense tool, ladies need to research the laws regarding ownership and use of them in their state. Plus, if they travel across state lines or even fly, they must be well-versed in the laws in the places they visit as well.

All in all, both self defense instructors and law enforcement agree that stun guns and tasers may be of use as a back-up but women should not solely rely on them to make a significant impact in subduing an attacker. Many tests show that you would have to have prolonged continuous contact in order for the stunning effect to be effective which means staying up close and personal with the attacker. And if the attacker is one of those individuals that are not particularly affected by the shock produced by the stun gun or taser (think high on drugs), you are in a world of trouble. While they may be great tools to have, women should not place their life on the line by depending on them. Depend on yourself and become well versed in self-defense moves rather than tools.

REFERENCES:
Patriot's Self Defense
https://plus.google.com/111031150115187630912/posts/Yk8toYMwFnd

Self Defense Krav Maga On-line
https://plus.google.com/111031150115187630912/posts/eB3nPNZRAiW

First Strike - Designed By Swat Team Leader
https://plus.google.com/111031150115187630912/posts/D4NyRqLdf2P

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