THE WOMANLY ART OF SELF DEFENSE
THE WOMANLY ART OF SELF DEFENSE
by
Kyo Sa Nim Teri Vodden, LCSW, Certified Soo Bahk Do® Instructor
3rd Degree Black Belt and Licensed Psychotherapist.
Teri Vodden, Kyo Sa, LCSW
We all deserve to be safe, whether in our home or out in the community. This goal of personal safety can be accomplished by enhancing our sense of power, increasing an awareness of events in our physical environment and developing self defense skills.
The first step in developing self protection skills is to acknowledge that we have the right, and the physical and mental ability, to keep ourselves safe. The role of women in our society tends to be that of caretaker, nurturer and loving guidance counselor. The thought of hurting another individual, regardless of the reason, can cause hesitation and doubt if confronted by a physical attack. The fear of not being strong enough to defend oneself can add to this hesitation. However, the thought of a child being hurt can ignite a feeling of power and aggression within the most loving of individuals. Decide that you are worth protecting and make a vow to fight if you are physically confronted.
An important step in establishing a mental attitude that promotes safety, is to develop an awareness of media bias. The news regularly contains stories of abuse and damage toward women and children. The message is given that if you are confronted, give in and cooperate or your assailant will increase their level of aggression. THIS BELIEF IS NOT TRUE!!! Statistics on “assault resistance” have determined that 81% of individuals who tried running, were able to escape. 62.5% of those who screamed or yelled, escaped successfully. 68% of women who used physical force of any kind, avoided rape. The occurrence of outside intervention stopped 83% of attempted rapes. (Outside intervention increases the assailant's fear of getting caught.) A concern about an assailant using a weapon is valid, however, in 93% of rapes, no guns are used. In 75% of rapes, no weapons are used. Only 1% of assault crimes with handguns result in fatalities. 99% have no fatalities. Unfortunately stories of survival do not generate the same type of media attention as stories of violence. *
Reducing your level of fear, can increase your level of power. Once you have made the decision that YOU WILL PROTECT YOURSELF, follow these rules for personal safety.
- Be aware of your environment and listen to your intuition. If you have the sense an individual or a setting might be dangerous, remove yourself! Intuition is not often valued in our society, however, intuition is an authentic ability and can be a primary tool in self defense.
- Develop an attitude of confidence. Don't look down when confronted, make eye contact and convey the message you know have the power to keep yourself safe. Practice thinking of yourself as a strong, self reliant individual. Keep this image in your mind at all times so that the thought will be automatic. Picture powerful women, real or fictional and focus on traits they possess that you want to emulate.
- Imagine and practice self defense techniques. Develop a script of specific physical actions you would take if attacked. Identify at least 3 moves you could make that involve striking your opponent. Practice these techniques both physically and mentally so that they become automatic. Focus on using techniques that seem natural and quickly come into your mind.
VULNERABLE TARGET AREAS
The five primary targets are:
EYES – Striking one eye makes both eyes water. This temporarily blinds the person who is hit so that the other person can get away or make the next move. People often feel immobilized and “freaked out” when they can't see.
NOSE – The eyes automatically water when the nose is hit, causing temporary blindness.
THROAT – Pressing, even lightly, the front of the throat, the hard part or “Adam's apple”, can cause a suffocating sensation. When struck, a person usually worries about breathing rather than being aggressive.
GROAN - (testicles, not penis) Strikes aimed upward between the legs usually cause men to double over with all their muscles contracting. One misconception about the groin is that striking it makes men angrier and more aggressive. Men may become angrier when threatened with strikes to the groin but strikes that meet the mark will usually incapacitate them temporarily. Another commonly held belief is that the groin is hard to strike effectively because men protect it. However, men will try to protect any vulnerable area they think may be targeted. While trying to protect any one or even two target areas, a third target may be open for a strike.
KNEES – It doesn't take much pressure to break, dislocate, or even sprain a knee when it is struck from the front or sides. Hit from the back, however, the knee buckles and is directed into the ground causing pain.
EFFECTIVE STRIKING SURFACES OR “ BODY WEAPONS”
Use the strong places in your body as a weapon. These include: fists, thumbs, palms, shoulders, forearms, elbows, knees, head. Use your strong places against the attacker's target areas.
Strategy and the element of surprise increase effectiveness. ALWAYS PLAN FOLLOW UP ATTACKS!
Take a self defense class to improve your health, confidence level and ability to remain safe!
Ongoing classes available at: Redwood Coast Soo Bahk Do. (707) 825-9755
8th & L Street, Old Creamery, Arcata
www.ArcataKarate.com
*Statistics taken from the book: “Self Defense: the Womanly Art of Self-care, Intuition and Choice” by Debbie Leung.