Street Smart Self Defense

Street Smart Self Defense Objectives 1. The student will understand, learn, and practice self defense techniques. 2. The student will understand, learn, and practice unconventional self defense techniques that are not based on martial arts training. 3. The student will understand the importance of being aware of their surroundings when away from home. 4. The Student will be able to recognizing dangerous situations and how to manage them. 5. The student will learn how to keep their emotions under control when confronting danger. 6. The student will understand the two different types of adrenaline. 7. The student will understand and learn self defense techniques to teach their children. 8. All students will be given the opportunity to practice self defense techniques during the remaining classes, so they can learn and understand them well.    

INTRODUCTION A number of self defense techniques in this course are based on the martial arts. However this course is not about martial arts, it is about protecting yourself, or a loved one in danger. A lot of people learn the martial arts for self defense, but I have to admit, I’m not one hundred percent on board with this being the main reason. While it is true that the techniques of martial arts are very well adapted for self defense, I would hope most would study and practice it for the love of the art, physical fitness, and self improvement. However, I suppose that if you choose to study and practice a martial art, and your reason for doing so is self defense, then I guess that’s okay, at least you are learning for a reason.    

WHAT IS SELF DEFENSE? Self defense is so much more than learning a martial art, or handling a taser, or shooting a gun. It requires you to sharpen your intuitive skills and learn to assess your situation every time you step away from your front door. You must learn to avoid any situation that is a potential threat. The first requirement of a good self defense program is to go on the offense and be proactive. The first stage of an effective self defense program is awareness. Awareness means being aware of your surroundings, being able to recognize potential threats, and potentially dangerous situations. I observe people all the time, especially if they are in close proximity, watching for abnormal behavior. I am not saying you have to act paranoid every time you leave your home, but you do need to pay close attention to your surroundings. One thing I have noticed in my observations of people is that most are preoccupied in some way. They seem to be walking around o...

MY TRAINING I lived in Japan for two years where I was trained by a tenth degree black belt grandmaster in Shotokan Karate, an orthodox Japanese style created in Okinawa, earning a brown belt. After returning to the United States, I trained for three more years by an eighth degree black belt grandmaster from Korea in Tae Kwon Do and Hap Ki Do, earning a black belt. The self defense techniques in this program are based on my five years of formal martial arts training.   I borrowed techniques from my Shotokan Karate training and my Hap Ki Do training, in designing this self defense program.    

THE FIRST RULE OF SELF DEFENSE: AWARENESS Learning a martial art is a good place to start when it comes to personal self defense because it will help you with self confidence and make you more self assured. I would encourage you to learn a martial art if that is your desire. However, awareness of your surroundings will hopefully keep you from getting into an unsafe situation in the first place.   It is important for you to know what your limitations are. I don’t care how much martial arts training you have or how many different styles and techniques you know, the most difficult thing you will ever encounter is how to remain calm in the face of fear. When you are faced with fear your mind and body generally work together for self preservation.   The two options that become available to you are to either stand your ground and defend yourself or run to a safe place, which in essence is also defending yourself.   This is called the ‘flight or fight response’...