Self Defense Mindset - A Non Fighter's Guide to Self Defense

How aggressive are you? Or should you be in order to deal with a violent street confrontation? Even more, how much do you value your survival? So, what can turn you into a real-in-your-face effective street fighter and all round good martial artists? How can you develop the courage you need to persevere when the going gets tough and the odds are stacked against you?

Particularly since 9-11-2001 there has been an increase in discussion of self defense in our country and others. Southern Delaware is wonderfully safe, secure and peaceful but there is still some discussion of self defense and self protection issues here. Our senior citizens and single people of any age are often first to feel threatened and that makes the single senior citizen the most concerned according to my experience. A few years ago I spent a year or so helping to set up and manage a couple of very large Neighborhood Watch and Community Watch groups in areas of predominantly older singles and senior citizens. I am active in several national and international forums where professionals from all walks of life, interact and correspond. 

I've been reading a lot of articles recently about women's self-defence, and what women need in order to protect themselves recently. Collapsible batons, pepper sprays, tazers, and even guns are all regularly espoused as the most important thing a modern woman needs to carry at all times in order to ensure her safety.

But there's a problem.

There is quite several Martial Arts Styles that you can learn. As much as they are saying intensity often beats diversity, thanks to laser focus, when it comes to fighting, you might learn as much styles as is possible because you never find out what sort of fighting situation you will find yourself in. Many people, if you aren't in the military or some elite fighting force, only focus on martial arts tactics. This more often than not limits their offensive ability simply because they become used to defending rather than attacking. Although every kind of martial arts training trains you to defend in addition to attack, it is a personal psychological mindset that determines which pieces of this training you actually ingest.

Are you looking to add self defense training to your company's workplace violence training? Well, you're not alone.

Many company's are realizing that the standard workplace violence "shell" policy that has become the norm in the business world has a huge hole in it! The problem that most companies are facing though, is how to introduce self defense training to their overall workplace violence training program in a way that is both cost-effective and liability conscious.

In the realm of Ninjutsu - the self-protection and life mastery system of Japan's ancient Ninja families - there are several options available for controlling a street self defense encounter with a violent attacker. This article explores one of these strategies, known simply as the "wind-mode." This strategy involves the use of slippery, evasive body movement, as-well-as techniques designed to trap the assailant with his own moves!

Please remember that this is only one possible strategy taken from a system of 5 "elemental" models. Also, please note that this same system is not used by all Ninja schools or Ninjutsu instructors.

There are as many approaches to self-defense as there are reasons why people study it.

What are YOUR reasons and what approach are YOU using? How confident are you that your efforts will produce the results what you want?

What is it about self-defense that interests you?

You must be looking for something or you wouldn't be reading this, right?

Some people learn self-defense to defend themselves from the violent actions of others! Duh!!!) They want to satisfy the essential need for security and control.

Others are after self-confidence and an improved self-image.

Then there are those who don't care much about "fighting" at all. They're just looking for an enjoyable, functional and "cool" ;-) way to get into great shape.

Maybe you're after "ALL OF THE ABOVE." (like me ;-) Well then keep reading friend... because I've got some thoughts to throw at ya...

There is a little known fact that the concussion weapon called a black jack or sap a short leather instrument used to strike people around the neck or head first originated from an English old leather type beer bottle several centuries ago. And, over time was refined into the weapon we know today.

Okay, but what's that got to do with karate? Well, let me explain, of interest here is the paradox of self-defence both past and present. You could say and many do that modern-day karate is advertising itself both as a means of self-defence and a competitive sport and as such has lost some of its real value as an effective fighting art?

I've been training in self-defense off and on since 1994. I've learned lots of techniques and have become a stronger person both physically and mentally. During this time, I've also learned 4 things in order to help me become a better martial artist. And now I want to share them with you.

"The Art of Fighting Without Fighting: Techniques In Personal Threat Evasion" by Geoff Thompson is a good little book on how to deal with conflict without becoming physical. It's written by a man, Thompson, who's had a fair amount of fighting and violence in his life, and then some. Through the years of sweat and blood, and teaching others physical means to defend themselves, Thompson has come to realize (as many of us in the fighting, martial art, and self-defense arenas do) that there really is a better way than cracking skulls and bashing heads. We can avoid the physical violence altogether. That's what this short book is about. Thompson says it took him nine years of constant violence and many more of soul-searching to realize that violence is not the answer. Maybe this book will shorten the learning curve for many readers. I sure hope so.

In this article I'll be presenting my review of Renegade Mindset Techniques For Fighters. As the name suggests, the focus is on mindset rather than physical training. Of course anyone who has trained in any discipline of martial arts or other fighting style for any length of time knows that the two of go hand in hand. I hope this Renegade Mindset For Fighters review is helpful for anyone considering trying out the program.

One of the more intriguing aspects of Ki Chuan Do (KCD) for beginners and outside observers is Master Perkins' "Modified Native American Ground Fighting." Not only have most people never seen or experienced authentic Native American martial arts (because of the dearth of practitioners alive today and the even smaller number interested in sharing their skills with the public), but most martial artists and combative sport fans cannot even conceive of an effective method of fighting on the ground that differs significantly from the grappling methods (wrestling, jiu-jitsu, etc.) so universally practiced today. To even suggest that a very different method may be equally or even more effective for real violence immediately evokes skepticism, so conditioned are most people to consider "groundfighting" synonymous with "wrestling" or "grappling."

The traits of a warrior can help us to attain our desired outcomes not only in a self-defense or survival scenario. They are traits we must exemplify in order to achieve any goal in life - personal or professional.

Throughout our lives we face countless hurdles and obstacles that stand in our way. In every instance, we have a choice to make; we can turn back when we face the obstacle, or we can focus and commit to overcoming the obstacle. This difference is the Warrior Mindset. You can watch my video about the Warrior Mindset on YouTube.

If you're serious about developing the ability to survive a brutal attack, one of the first things that you realize is that women's self-defense also requires the proper mindset. And, the type of mindset that I focus on in this article involves knowing that there are actual threats out there, knowing what they are and the fact that you are at risk, and believing in yourself and your ability to be a survivor should the worst happen to you! If you're ready to hear what most women don't want to hear... read on!

I've always said that as a self-defense instructor, and someone who teaches principles and strategies of staying safe, I need to continually learn from others. I'm constantly reading, watching videos, and attending seminars so I can better help others. I also believe in supporting those who are also out there helping others stay safe and defend themselves. This is especially true of those doing a great job. That is why I want to recommend "Self-Defense Tips Everyone Should Know: Practical advice to help you take responsibility for your own personal safety" by Neal Martin.

Recently I began looking for some exercises for people to do that could aid them in improving their awareness skills. While I think it is important to know more specific things to look for regarding criminal behavior, I think these kinds of exercises can still help one begin to sharpen sensory perception, powers of observation, and pick up more readily on anomalies in the environment. Some people do not know how to begin the process of becoming more aware, or what situational awareness entails.

Do you recall where you were the last time you heard this? It sounds like a child arguing in a schoolyard doesn't it? It rarely ceases to astound me when I hear someone carrying on with this pointless debate. Different styles serve different purposes. You may love the deep seated history in your chosen art, while someone else may not care about that at all. This person only cares if what they're learning will help them defend themselves properly. They don't care at all where it comes from. So there are "different strokes for different folks" so to say. At the modern samurai society, the name implies it all. There can be great value in tradition, but adapting to the modern times is what the concept of the modern samurai is all about.

I know how you're feeling, you're probably nervous and likely being pressured into this fight. Or maybe you're just looking this up for fun, I don't know. But there are big people out there - big people who are not afraid to hurt you if given the chance. Now, I'm not a big guy, but I am very strong so that's my advantage. I know not everyone is like this but I have fought and won against these big guys because I fight smart.

Tai Chi is known as a soft martial arts technique that emphasizes health, longevity and proper form above self-defense. Tai Chi originated in China but in recent years it has become popular around the world, particularly among older people looking for an exercise that is smooth and easy for them but that also contains a mental or spiritual aspect.

The time to prepare is before the need arises.

Survival awareness, planning and preparation need to become a part of your daily life. This means knowing what could potentially cause you or your family harm. It could be a crime such as an attempted robbery, rape or kidnapping. It could be a natural disaster that causes otherwise nice neighbors to turn into hungry, desperate looters who try to break into your home and steal your food.

If a terrorist attack were to happen nearby, regardless of where you are in the world, it could have disastrous consequences if you are not prepared and ask yourself the right questions before you are forced to.

"The Art of Fighting Without Fighting: Techniques In Personal Threat Evasion" by Geoff Thompson is a good little book on how to deal with conflict without becoming physical. It's written by a man, Thompson, who's had a fair amount of fighting and violence in his life, and then some. Through the years of sweat and blood, and teaching others physical means to defend themselves, Thompson has come to realize (as many of us in the fighting, martial art, and self-defense arenas do) that there really is a better way than cracking skulls and bashing heads. We can avoid the physical violence altogether. That's what this short book is about. Thompson says it took him nine years of constant violence and many more of soul-searching to realize that violence is not the answer. Maybe this book will shorten the learning curve for many readers. I sure hope so.

All our reactions in life are based on impulse - natural, repeated reactions that over time eventually turn into habits. We all have habits - bad, good, dangerous, and life-saving habits - and all of these habits are driven by our subconscious mind. Your subconscious mind never question what you tell it to do; it will always act on your beliefs, commands, or persistent reactions. It will not question whether that belief, command, or reaction is right or wrong, and that belief could be that the Earth is flat, as many people believed for hundreds of years, or a comic book defense action against an attack that could leave you, in adulthood, very badly injured.

By far, the greatest thing missing from most martial arts and safety programs focusing on self-defense is a structured and systemized outline that helps to keep the student on track with what he or she needs. Not to be confused with the step-by-step self-defense moves taught in the preset techniques or kata of different styles, or a curriculum that spells out what skills and techniques the student will be learning at what level, what I'm talking about is a formula or outline of the areas of action that make up a complete system for real-world self protection.

By far, the greatest thing missing from most martial arts and safety programs focusing on self-defense is a structured and systemized outline that helps to keep the student on track with what he or she needs. Not to be confused with the step-by-step self-defense moves taught in the preset techniques or kata of different styles, or a curriculum that spells out what skills and techniques the student will be learning at what level, what I'm talking about is a formula or outline of the areas of action that make up a complete system for real-world self protection.

Life isn't like the movies. When someone puts their hands on you or attacks you there won't always be a hero waiting to save the day. You have to be that hero. Imagine the fear you would fear if a large thug were to break into your house with intentions on taking you apart. Some people will tell you that you shouldn't have any fear. That is ridiculous! Having fear is a natural emotional response to danger. The key to practical self defense tactics that can save you in these kinds of situations is to channel that fear into the right self defense techniques.

One of the most common questions that I hear, from friends, family, and strangers alike, when discussing my involvement in the martial arts, is...

"Why do you want to learn to be violent?"

Ironically, these same well-intentioned people usually didn't ask the same question when I was a police officer. And yet, my training for that profession not only involved the same types of training, but also included the use of weapons and tactics that would be considered illegal for me to use as a citizen prepared to defend myself against the same criminals.

Occasionally people say things to us that can be mean and can leave a us feeling embarrassed and hurt or angry. Ask anyone and they will all agree there are experiences that have left them feeling frustration and stress, thinking, "I should have said..." It would be nice if we had an easy and effective way to verbally defend ourselves when people are not so nice. Here are 6 tips to help you be more effective at dealing with verbal abuse.