| No matter how young or old you are, what | | | | knowing that ahead of time can rob you of |
| gender you belong to, or where you live, the | | | | whatever advantage your tools would have given |
| world is a dangerous place; trying to learn self | | | | you, so get comfortable with them. |
| defense, whether from a weekly class or a self | | | | More than any tools, however, study the self |
| defense DVD or handbook, is a virtual necessity | | | | defense DVD carefully. Try to get behind the |
| these days. Young women in urban areas are | | | | moves, and imagine in detail what it would be like |
| targets for assault, robbery, rape, domestic | | | | to actually perform them on someone who was |
| violence, and more. Even if you're a thirty year | | | | trying to resist you. The more comfortable you |
| old man in a rural environment, you could be a | | | | are with the idea of defending yourself while |
| victim of a bar fight, road rage, or home invasion. | | | | completely unarmed, the more confident you will |
| The evening news is filled with stories of crimes | | | | become -- and, ironically, the less likely you will be |
| perpetrated on seemingly-helpless women and | | | | to be targeted by a criminal. |
| men nearly every night. Why don't these folks | | | | Like many things in the world of hand-to-hand |
| learn self defense tactics and stop being victims? | | | | combat, becoming skilled at self defense naturally |
| Most just don't know how easy it is. | | | | leads to the fact that you won't need to defend |
| Stop living in fear: refuse to be a victim. It can all | | | | yourself, because that confidence along with your |
| start with a simple self defense DVD. Get a | | | | increased level of awareness will show throw in |
| partner, study the techniques, gain understanding | | | | your gait, your aura, and your posture. |
| of your power to defeat a criminal, and build your | | | | Of course, anyone can become a victim. No |
| confidence. Get yourself a few basic self defense | | | | matter how confident you look, a criminal with a |
| implements like stun guns, mace, or an asp. | | | | bit too much to drink or a drug addict desperate |
| (Remember to check your local laws to make | | | | to score a fix can target you. That means that |
| sure what's legal in your area.) Practice using them | | | | it's imperative that you keep up with your |
| to escape from dangerous situations. | | | | practice. Don't let that self defense DVD gather |
| Remember that the first tools in any self defense | | | | dust -- get it out, at least once a month for a |
| situation are awareness and escape. But if you | | | | few hours, and go over what you know. Even |
| are caught off guard or trapped, the next thing | | | | doing it alone in your living room is better than |
| you need is familiarity with your tools. There's | | | | just 'practicing' in your head every once in a while. |
| nothing like spraying pepper spray in an enclosed | | | | Stay disciplined! Remember, your best defenses, |
| environment for the first time -- even if you're | | | | in order, are alertness, confidence, practice with |
| not the target, you can still find yourself blinking | | | | that self defense DVD, and then your pepper |
| hard and fast to keep your eyes clear! Not | | | | spray or other tool comes last. |