Nothing is better than knowing you can take care of yourself in all aspects of your life. This includes taking care of your mental state, financial state, and your physical state. A lot of times, we limit ourselves to exercise when thinking only of the physical aspect of our lives. Being able to protect yourself if the need arises can give you a huge confidence boost. This confidence can be gained by taking karate self-defense classes. They aren’t just for young children or women either.
We talked to AMA Sensei Michelle Jay and through our conversations we compiled a number of tips for self-defense students and insights about the concept of self-defense itself:
Common Misconceptions
“Many young women (and men) have the attitude that, ‘it won’t happen to me,” explains Sensei Jay. “For women they often believe a man can overpower them, and they won’t have the strength to fight back, or protect themselves.” Women who are concerned they aren’t strong enough “need to remember self-defense is using your voice, it’s leveraging yourself, with distractions toward your attacker. A kick to the shin, no matter how big you are, hurts and will distract an attacker long enough for you to get away.”
Next, Sensei Jay explains that we set ourselves up for danger when we assume we will never be attacked. If you think you are invincible, you are wrong. This kind of thinking can set you up for danger because you will be unprepared if a situation does come up. A self-defence course will teach you the concept of prevention in action, which means keeping your guard up and always being aware of your surroundings.
Benefits of Self-Defense
Self-defense benefits and empowers everyone. “Learning self-defense heightens our awareness and we are better able to take care for ourselves and perhaps someone who may not be able to defend themselves, like a small child.” Sensei Jay points out that young women in particular can be empowered by learning self-defense: “it will make being on their own [at school] far less intimidating.”
Self-Defense Tips
- Be aware of your surroundings no matter where you are. The more you know your surroundings the easier it is to stay safe from harm.
- Avoid situations like jogging alone at night where you might be vulnerable or seen like an easy target for attack or harassment.
- Listen to your instincts. They will usually alert you to danger and the key is to listen to that inner voice, warning you not to do something or go somewhere.
Why is AMA the best place to learn self-defense?
Sensei Jay makes a compelling argument that your local AMA location is the best place to learn self-defense. “AMA offers self-defense for a variety of ages and abilities. We focus on each person’s strengths.” AMA teaches a system of self-defense that encompasses a variety of situations like standing, being on the ground, and using weapons. “Our focus is on awareness, safety, and avoiding the situation. However when we work with each other in a controlled environment with like-minded people, students gain confidence through learning hands-on practical techniques.”
Contact your nearest AMA location for more information about self-defense classes.
