Teaching Self Defense: I Do it Differently

If you do a Google search for “Women’s Self Defense” you’ll find a number of programs that feed your worst fears. Sadly, paranoia sells self defense classes.

Fact: A woman is more likely to be hit by lightning than to be attacked by a perfect stranger.

The best self defense is to avoid physical conflict, period. In practical, terms this means being observant enough to see potential threats before they manifest into violence, more than that it means having a bearing that marks you as a “Hard Target”.

There is a method in the way a predator picks his prey. The predator has two opposing goals.

• One: Pick a likely victim.
• Two: Don’t get caught.

Anyone who looks self-absorbed and distracted is a good target, because that pereson will allow the predator to get close without being noticed. A fearful and anxious victim will likely be paralyzed with fear at the predator's approach and therefore be compliant.

A woman who appears alert and confident may put up a struggle, make noise and generally increase the likelihood that the predator will get caught.

To protect yourself from the bad guys, it is imperative that you be self assured, confident and strong.