Many People wonder if it is possible to learn
effective self-defense in a short workshop or course. My answer is a resounding
"YES!" based on the feedback I have received over the last fifteen years -- from
people who've avoided assault or successfully defended themselves after as little as 45
minutes of instruction! This may surprise many people because movies, television
shows, and even the news present a distorted picture of violence and victims. The
media version of assaults shows powerful assailants leaping out of hiding to attack
unsuspecting victims. The victims either have superior weapons and skills and subdue
the attackers, or they are killed or captured (later to be rescued by someone who has the
weapons and skills). If that were a realistic view of self-defense, a short
workshop would hardly seem useful. there are, however, many things people can do to
minimize the possibility of an assault. These things, based on a more realistic
understanding of confrontation and violence, can be done with a minimum of training.... Attackers commonly check out potential victims and follow
routines that have worked in the past. In many potential assaults, if this routine is
interrupted, the attacker will wait for something easier. For example, in order to
feel they have psychological control of a situation, many attackers need to get physically
close to potential victims. If an attacker cannot get close, he may decide not to
continue. Many attackers will only attack from behind, turning to face them may
discourage them. Strong body language, looking directed and aware of the
surroundings, and verbal assertiveness are also options that could keep a situation from
ever becoming a physical attack. Likewise, trusting one's feelings, being willing to
attract attention, being able to override social conditioning, are powerful self-defense
tools.
In my workshops, I stress that we don't need to have
every possible option, but we do need to be aware of the options we have. Nowhere
have I learned more about pinpointing options than in the workshops and courses I've
taught for people with special needs. I've come to view each individual as having a
unique set of options. Learning to be concrete and specific in determining options
has enhanced my presentations to 'mainstream' populations. For example, working with
people who have developmental disabilities, I've learned to supplement my more abstract
explanations of distance by referring simply to 'handshake distance.' If something
about a person feel 'strange' or funny', don't let them inside your critical 'handshake
distance.'
... When working with people who are deaf, rather than
dwelling on their inability to hear someone approach, I help them be aware of their
strengths. Deaf people are generally sharper than most hearing people at noticing
nonverbal cues because they've had to be. They often have highly developed
peripheral vision, are more sensitive to things like air flow from a door opening in, and
are very adept at reading body language. I tell them, as I tell my hearing students,
to trust their feelings and be willing to act on them since more communication is
nonverbal.
... People who are blind or use wheelchairs have given
me some wonderful stories about assertiveness. Well-meaning people often will try to
help them without first asking if they want help (even to the point of trying to take them
across a street they hadn't intended to cross!). Because of the unique situations
they've had to face, many of them have become very strong in asserting their needs.
They are used to saying thing like "thanks, but I prefer to do this by
myself." That kind of practice makes them much less likely to follow their
social conditioning in a situation when their gut is telling them something feels 'off.'
Even if a situation requires physical resistance, it's
important to concentrate on what is possible rather than on what is not, especially for
someone who feels limited in their physical abilities. For example, once an attacker
has grabbed and is in close, a blind person is very capable of boxing the attacker's ears,
a potentially disabling technique. If an attacker leans over someone in a wheelchair
to grab or strike, he is in an awkward position. Many wheelchair users have learned
to take advantage of this position by striking the attacker's eye or throat or by pulling
the attacker off balance.
We need to understand that no one has every
self-defense option. Many potentially serious situations have been resolved by some
simple action. Good self-defense training should include psychological awareness and
skills. Good self-defense training should keep physical options practical. ...
With these elements present, even a short self-defense workshop or course could easily
triple or quadruple a person's options. Many attackers have a limited repertoire;
their advantage lies in that they have planned ahead. We can also plan ahead.
Even a short course can give us a tremendous advantage by maximizing our self-defense
options.
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