Is Self-Defense Really Worth It?
Being able to defend is a pleasant feeling. If, God forbid, you meet someone with bad intentions, you will theoretically be able to handle the situation better than if you did not attend these classes. But the concept of “self-defense” is a broad church, encompassing many schools of thought, some of which deserve a more critical look.
Before paying for self-defense classes, there are a few things you should consider so you don’t sell something that won’t help in the long run.
General Self Defense Lessons Have Their Merits
General concepts of self-defense can be helpful to the uninitiated. Much of their curriculum tends to teach students to recognize signs and situations that can be dangerous, and for many people who have never had to deal with physical threats before, these signs may not be obvious at their core.
And learning to neutralize threats without physical intervention is a noteworthy skill – usually most people want to completely avoid potential danger without compromising their physical safety. De-escalation tactics, verbal or physical, are always the first option.
So, the general self defense class will help you on several levels. But you should also be aware of their limitations. As the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCASA) writes on the Portland, Oregon website :
The program should offer options, methods and ways of analyzing situations. The program can indicate that it WILL WORK USUALLY best in MOST situations, but each situation is unique and the final decision rests with the person actually facing the situation.
What are the limits of self-defense (and martial arts in general)?
It’s good when a self-defense instructor teaches you how to hit an attacker in the groin. It’s bad when they claim that certain techniques can give you the skills you need to overcome multiple attackers, including those with weapons.
Unfortunately, there is a kind of handicraft of martial arts forgers who “teach” unrealistic and often downright laughable techniques. Take, for example, an instructor showing students how to avoid being hit at gunpoint by two different attackers. Or thisvivid video about a self-styled master, easily coping with many attackers. These are funny examples, but when taken with a grain of salt, they instantly become dangerous.
How to Choose a Self Defense Course or Martial Arts Instructor
You need to know who your instructor is and what discipline he was trained in. Think of it like taking a college course: you don’t want to invest time and money in philosophy studies if your professor doesn’t know about Plato in the first place, right?
You want to take self-defense courses at martial arts schools that offer training in a specific discipline. The quest for general “self-defense” can lead you to the doorstep of those who have not really gotten into physically challenging situations.
Understand your own training goals
The goals one might have in self-defense are obviously different from the goals one might have when teaching a particular martial art. However, learning a particular style of self-defense – be it judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing, karate, etc. – will give you more exercise to better apply your skills if ever needed. Since you are not really going to fight full resistance in a self defense class, you may need to take a journey through a specific martial art to actually understand what it feels like when someone pushes you, tries to throw you into the ground, or pounds you. you. Practical experience, or ideally years of dedication to the martial arts, is the best way to prepare for a dangerous situation.
However, self-defense classes can provide valuable lessons that familiarize people with the general context and situational warnings of physical confrontation. It’s just important to understand that no lesson or teaching will make you invincible.