| Studying self defense is becoming a necessity in | | | | you can't ever become a master of self defense |
| many urban environments around the world, and | | | | in a few hours. Muscle memory simply doesn't |
| as unfortunate as that fact is, it's even sadder | | | | build at that kind of speed, and muscle memory is |
| that some people feel like they don't have a way | | | | the core of all self defense training. If your body |
| to do it. In the modern world, anyone can learn | | | | doesn't remember what to do when the time |
| self defense techniques -- and everyone should. | | | | comes, you're wasting your time. |
| It doesn't take a whole lot to learn self defense. | | | | A defined goal |
| If you can fulfill this simple checklist, you can be | | | | If you don't know when you've reached your |
| on your way to studying self defense in no time: | | | | goal, your practice will begin to wander and then |
| A computer | | | | slowly or abruptly fade away. You should be |
| Practical self defense techniques are widely | | | | aware of what kinds of threat are common in |
| available online. Some are free, but the best | | | | the neighborhoods you travel in, and set yourself |
| require a small investment. The amount is trivial | | | | a goal of learning self defense against those |
| compared to what you'd pay for a monthly | | | | threats -- and don't stop practicing until they're |
| membership at a dojo, however, so it's well | | | | second nature. |
| worth your while. You can download Ebooks, | | | | Occasional scheduled practice for the next year |
| order (or download) DVDs, and even chat with | | | | Just because you've finished your regular, |
| instructors who can watch your forms through a | | | | devoted practice doesn't mean your body will |
| webcam and give you specific critiques. | | | | remember your techniques for the rest of your |
| A partner you can work with | | | | life. You should find someone to get together |
| No, you cannot properly train in self defense | | | | with every month or two for at least 12 more |
| techniques on your own. There are significant | | | | months, just for a quick refresher course. |
| benefits to visualizing these scenarios, but nothing | | | | If you're going to take this kind of practical, |
| can prepare you for the impact of a successful | | | | no-nonsense approach to self defense, it's usually |
| strike or throw except actually performing it on | | | | best to pick a practical, no-nonsense teacher or |
| someone. Get someone who is interested in the | | | | style to learn from. Grab a DVD of Krav Maga |
| same kinds of self defense that you are, and | | | | or MCMAP from a reputable online source, get a |
| who can commit to the next item on the | | | | partner who is willing to work with you, and |
| checklist as well. | | | | develop self defense skills that will keep you alive |
| A few months of regular, devoted practice | | | | if someone tries to make you otherwise! |
| No matter what anyone on the internet tells you, | | | | |