| The scariest feeling in any stressful situation, | | | | which utilizes reflex training, movements are kept |
| especially in an assault, is to have one’s | | | | simple so that they are easily learned and not |
| brain and body “freeze.” Your stress | | | | confusing to the learner. What makes the |
| response comes into play and your ability to think | | | | movements unique are that the focus is applying |
| logically and react is dramatically impaired. Even if | | | | the movement based on how the attacker |
| the paralysis of movement lasts for just a few | | | | moves. Thus, the same simple movements are |
| seconds, those few seconds are critical because | | | | repeated over and over until they become more |
| of what can happen next to the person. Thus, to | | | | instinctive. Initially, a type of training called form |
| reduce the potential “freeze | | | | training is used to teach proper positioning and |
| reaction,” women will seek out self-defense | | | | structure of one’s body. Working with |
| training or take martial arts to increase their skills | | | | different individuals in various drills allows the |
| in protecting themselves. What women need to | | | | women to better understand the energies coming |
| know and understand is that not all martial arts or | | | | from others. Women learn to adapt to different |
| types of self-defense training will decrease the | | | | muscular strengths by becoming sensitive to the |
| “freeze response.” An effective | | | | force presented. Over time, they become aware |
| program to reduce the paralyzing feelings in an | | | | of how they can more effectively utilize their |
| attack should emphasize simple movements that | | | | partners’ energies to defeat them. As the |
| are incorporated into one’s muscle | | | | woman becomes sensitive to the |
| memory using constant repetition, partner drills, | | | | opponent’s touch, she learns to react |
| and unrehearsed attacks in a safe training | | | | more swiftly. Little pressure is needed before an |
| environment. Thus, women can become confident | | | | offensive attack is launched by the woman. |
| in applying her skills without thinking in an | | | | For example, an open palm can be used in |
| aggressive altercation. | | | | different ways to protect oneself. Palm strikes |
| One of the issues concerning martial arts is | | | | can be delivered in different directions. A palm |
| whether the focus of the training is truly | | | | strike can be straight forward to underneath the |
| self-defense. In some common martial arts, the | | | | chin or under the nose. However, the woman can |
| goal is for students to compete in competitions. | | | | also turn her palm sideways and strike the |
| The martial arts practitioner faces another | | | | attacker’s kidneys. If the fingers are |
| “like” martial arts practitioner as his | | | | pointed downwards in a palm strike, the woman |
| her opponent. Each practitioner will throw punches | | | | can easily attack the groin. Therefore, regardless |
| and kicks so that he/she can | | | | of the size of the attacker, there are options on |
| “touch” his/her opponent to get | | | | how to deliver an effective palm strike. What |
| points and win the game. Out on the streets, a | | | | makes the palm strike effective in reflex training |
| woman never knows what her attacker knows. | | | | is that the woman is taught to keep the wrist |
| He may be a wrestler, boxer, or just crazy In | | | | soft but through proper positioning of her elbow, |
| addition, attacks can come from any direction | | | | harness her energy using her body’s |
| – not just the front. Most women fear | | | | strength so that the power is not coming from |
| attacks from behind because these attacks are | | | | the hand. The palm can also be used to establish |
| obviously not apparent until they happen. Her goal | | | | contact with the attacker’s arm to feel |
| is defend herself as much as possible from harm | | | | the direction of his energy. If one knows where |
| and run away. | | | | the opponent’s arm and the direction of its |
| There are other common martial arts in which | | | | power, the woman can move her body to get |
| mastering techniques are emphasized. The more | | | | out of the way and use his force against him. |
| techniques one knows, the more knowledge that | | | | As women become comfortable with the |
| the martial artist possesses. However, techniques | | | | movements and their confidence increase, |
| that require several steps are not useful in a | | | | spontaneous sparring with partners is added to |
| self-defense situation. In an attack situation, one | | | | reflex training. Spontaneous sparring is a critical |
| will use do what comes immediately from | | | | activity because attacks on the street are |
| one’s body. There is no luxury of time to | | | | unplanned and fast. The unrehearsed sparring |
| utilize techniques which require more than one or | | | | reduces one’s reaction time to dealing with |
| two actions. | | | | “what comes at you” and as a |
| So how does one train to reduce a | | | | result works to minimize the |
| “freeze” reaction? In a system | | | | “freeze” reaction. |