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2007/03/24, 12:08 PM
Hey all, just wanted to see if there would be any interest in having a self defense post listed on the message board? I've been teaching free women's self defense classes to the community (yet it can still relate to men as well) for a little over ten years now and could provide insight on the physical as well as the non-physical aspects of the philosophy. Yet, I've actually been studying all facets of it for about 15 years now, i'm a member of the IACCP (International Association of Close Combat Professionals), am an anti-terrorism instructor for the U.S. Coast Guard, and have experience in Tae Kwon Do, Combat Hapkido, and Aikido. It's something I enjoy teaching and personally believe that it is every one's right to feel safe, at all times. I really got hard pressed into wanting to do this after my sister was raped by a teacher at my own high school in the late '80s. Yah, the subject may not fall in direct line with what ft.com was originally developed for, but I think it is a very good subject to have some exposure to, both for you and your spouse/children. After all, statistics show that 1 in 4 women will be sexually assaulted some time in their life. Maybe, we can change these statistics, if more learn how to make it more difficult for these cowardly assailants to prey on unsuspecting people. Anyway, let me know what you think and please, STAY SAFE!! Best regards.
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\\"God gave us two ears and one mouth. For the sake of helping others, use them in that proportion\\". STAY THE COURSE!! Andrew Williamson, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Coast Guard
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2007/03/24, 02:16 PM
Interesting stuff...keep posting. :) I am sure there should be some real interest in this.
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"If it ain't broke, you aren't trying."
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2007/03/24, 02:23 PM
That is a great idea! Hey every woman should learn and know how to defend herself as much as a man. Especially with all of the weirdos out there.
Thanks for the offer and as BB1 says, keep posting you will definitely spike some interest in others.
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Bettia
"Minds are like parachutes; they work best when open." - Lord Thomas Dewar
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2007/03/24, 10:10 PM
kick'um in the balls and run?
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It's called a SQUAT rack for a reason.....
You have to learn to follow, before you can lead.
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2007/03/24, 10:31 PM
I find it amusing that it is always guys who suggest me to do that first before any other thing. Hmm... I guess it is because they know how it feels huh?:)
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Bettia
"Minds are like parachutes; they work best when open." - Lord Thomas Dewar
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2007/03/25, 12:52 AM
Well, kicking them in the family jewels may not always be as effective as you might think. Maybe they're an avid sports participant or realize that that is the first area women will go for (and most assailants know that) and are wearing a cup in that area. Granted, if your kicked there you'll still feel localized pain in the surrounding area, but it's just not the same thing as actually getting kicked in the testicles directly. There are other things you can do, and other areas to strike on the human body, besides merely kicking them in the Jimmies. Besides, there is an actual method to doing it for maximum effect in addition to the mere technique of trying to punt a field goal. Although, the main gist of self defense is being educated to the point where you are always alert and can identify what construes a potential dangerous environment before you become a direct part of that environment, if your guard is down and you find yourself in that situation (hey, it happens), a strike to the groin, provided the genital area is free of athletic supporters and cups, is actually most effective the closer you are in to the assailant...
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GOD GAVE US TWO EARS AND ONE MOUTH; FOR THE SAKE OF HELPING OTHERS, USE THEM IN THAT PROPORTION.
Be good to your body, it is the only place you HAVE TO LIVE! STAY THE COURSE!!
Andrew Williamson,
Lieutenant Commander
U.S. Coast Guard
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2007/03/25, 01:41 AM
great to have you on this board. That will definitely be of great value to everyone here. So please post any and all relevant information. Thanks
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2007/03/25, 02:07 PM
Hey Coastie,
my son has been training in Kung Fu for 3 years (he's 9) and I have to say it is a fantastic way for him to keep fit and to build his confidence.
He was born with a cleft lip and palate and his mother and I were worried that it might make him a little shy and thus a target for bullies. The plan was that if he *knew* he could defend himself in those situations he would walk a little straighter, and his confidence would prevent the bullies even starting. Hopefully his Kung Fu will never have to be used because he has the knowledge (if that makes sense).
One of my goals this year was to get fit enough to join him in training without dying. I'm not sure which martial art to learn. Aikido has always appealed to me with it's philosophy, but then I miss my son's Kung Fu. It's getting close to the time when I can start making these decisions, so I'd be really interested to read anything you said on this subject!
Jon
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2007/03/25, 05:51 PM
Hey Jonshez, I'm an advocate for all martial arts. It's great that your son is taking Kung Fu. How old is he? It is an excellent martial art. My suggestion would be for you to consider taking classes with your son. You two could be training partners. In fact, since your son's already been taking it for 3 years, he could help train YOU and show you all the things he's learned, as you are going up the ranks. Something father and son can do together. I'll bet that would help increase his confidence as well. I think he and you would really enjoy it. I don't think you would "die" from it (how old are you anyway, I mean, if your utilizing freetrainers.com, it's not like you're nearly comatose or anything)? While some martial arts take more stamina and flexibility (i.e. Tae Kwon Do), Kung Fu should be a great fit for you, if you're concerned about "dying". The fact that your son is already taking it makes it just that much better.
Kung Fu (a version of Chinese Gung Fu, Bruce Lee's original fighting method before he developed Jeet Kune Do) is very effective. Aikido (the martial art Steven Seagal practices, he has a 7th degree black belt and was the first western permitted to teach in Japan) is also very effective as well. The main gist of Aikido is that it takes little to know strength whatsoever. In fact, if you try to perform the technique by "muscling" your way through it, you'll find it won't be as effective. Aikido is probably one of the best martial arts and self defense for women because of this reason. In Aikido, it is mainly passive/defensive, in that you react upon your assailant's attack by taking his COMMITMENT, momentum, and inertia and redirect it back at him utilizing throws and joint manipulation.
As for bullies and self defense for your son; the main thing for him is confidence. Bullies tend to pick on the ones that are confident and they know they can "bully" around. Why? They're cowards. They won't bully around someone who looks sure of themself, is alert, and always aware of their surroundings. Sounds like if they ever bully your son around you'll find that they've gotta be missing some brain cells.
Let me know how things transpire with your son't training (and hopefully yours). Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions. Best regards and have fun.
- Andrew
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GOD GAVE US TWO EARS AND ONE MOUTH; FOR THE SAKE OF HELPING OTHERS, USE THEM IN THAT PROPORTION.
Be good to your body, it is the only place you HAVE TO LIVE! STAY THE COURSE!!
Andrew Williamson,
Lieutenant Commander
U.S. Coast Guard
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2007/03/25, 05:55 PM
Jonshez, I just realized a couple typos from my post above. In the second paragraph I meant "westerner" and in the third paragraph I meant "tend to pick on the ones that are NOT confident..." Sorry, I just realized that. Again, have fun.
- Andrew
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GOD GAVE US TWO EARS AND ONE MOUTH; FOR THE SAKE OF HELPING OTHERS, USE THEM IN THAT PROPORTION.
Be good to your body, it is the only place you HAVE TO LIVE! STAY THE COURSE!!
Andrew Williamson,
Lieutenant Commander
U.S. Coast Guard
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2007/04/13, 11:22 AM
Well I have my first Kung Fu session tonight, and I'm booked in for an Aikido class next thursday. Not sure which I want to start with, so I'm going to experience both then decide.
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2007/04/13, 07:13 PM
Ok, so now I can't move but I really enjoyed that. Let's see how stiff I am tomorrow!
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2007/04/16, 01:22 PM
I am starting up with Karate again this week and I'm very excited! I stopped a year ago because I was busy getting my house ready to sell. It was only supposed to be a couple of months off and next thing a know it's a year later. Oops. My wife and kids are also involved. I think it is a good choice for me because it doesn't require a lot of flexibility. Now if I can just find my green belt...
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2007/04/22, 05:40 AM
So I tried Kung Fu last week, and this week I tried Aikido.
Looks like Aikido is a better fit for me philosophically and I'm going to be going back.
Can't explain how excited I am to have finally achieved this goal!
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2007/07/04, 08:27 PM
to be honest with the lot of you , ive done martial arts all my life i have a 2nd dan witht the european martial arts academy and and a 2nd dan with the british association of martial arts and in all my experience which is ive tried them all lol mixed martial arts is the best you get the best out of all worlds of martial arts . And if any one says you dont need strength to train in aikido thats a loads off rubbish , no offence , my instructor used to say that to younger kids but he and i knew it wasnt true to tryly preform moves, throws, locks, chokes you need a certian amount of strenth in the first place , i challenge and 7th dan in aikido whos neva been the gym to fight steven segal whos been the gym who do you think would win .
but in short if you training in martial arts it can only help you get fitter and stronger and faster ( except those karate where you do katas in to thin air lol ) good luck jonshez .
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