Self Defense Movements

[Cameron Fluet]

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If Krav Maga or muay thai classes are offered in your area, consider signing up. Muay thai is a combat sport in Thailand that uses stand-up striking techniques. Krav Maga is a modern self-defense system.

When equipped with some basic self-defense knowledge, women young or old, city dwellers or country residents, can have confidence in their personal safety and protection. No matter what type of combat or self-defense class you take, practicing can help you develop muscle memory. In a flight-or-flight situation, this muscle memory can be key to helping you escape from an attacker.

Before the feminist self-defense movement of the 1970s, few women had access to martial arts or self-defense training and those that did were often the only woman in schools dominated by men. While some women enjoyed supportive and friendly training environments, others encountered condescension, hostility, and sexual harassment. Gerry Fifer, Barbara Landy, Nadia Telsey, Sue Ribner, Eva Blinder, Roberta Schine, Annie Ellman, and Valerie Eads were some of the women who participated in the WMAU with the goal of providing a support network for women martial artists. They hoped to make self-defense widely available and accessible to all women.[4]

When people come into my self-defense gyms one of the first things I teach them is to have a defensive response which they can master in a short amount of time. Meaning, I want them to have a defensive sequence of moves which unleashes an arsenal of attacks on the person who dares to attack them.

There are three ingredients for a successful sequence. The first is that the response is immediate. The faster we can react to a threat, the faster we transfer the element of surprise back to our side. If we wait to see what our attacker uses to attack us with, then we are reacting and thus our response takes longer. Furthermore, if we curl on up into the fetal position, or do nothing but play defense, we are giving complete control over to them.

Any pressure, much less the power of a thrusting head butt will cause the attacker to grab their face, which opens up a great opportunity for hammer fist strikes. Because their face is most likely covered up with their own hands, having the target of the brachial area where the side of the neck meets the collarbone is a perfect vulnerable area, as several nerve centers are also located there.

If it looks similar to the previous one, it is, and here is where I want to make my point. This sequence works great in a close quarter situation, but if the attacker is attacking you from behind as shown in the illustrations.

Because our back is still facing the attacker, instead of using the stomp kick to push them off, we use a back kick. With the back kick, we bend over, cock our leg forward and then shoot it back at the attacker. Because they have not gone all of the way down to the ground yet, instead of using a face smash move, I strike the Achilles portion of the back foot, which will most likely take away any attempt of mobility and to chase us.

Taking priority over everything the goal is to create a knee jerk reaction, which immediately unleashes an attack on your opponent if they ever attack you. Therefore, you want to build a series of moves which attacks multiple lines of attack and different targets. You have to assume that you are against a bigger and stronger opponent, and as a result must give them multiple blows to varied pain centers.

You may only enrage an attacker if you punch him on the side of their face, however if they have to deal with a shot to their nose, strikes to their brachial area, a kick to the groin and several knee strikes to the stomach, it is harder to recover, catch their balance and even see clearly. Remember, you only need to put someone down for a couple of seconds in order to make a successful escape. Our goal is not to maim or kill, but to put enough hurt on our attacker that they cannot physically fight back for 3-10 seconds. That will allow you enough time to survive.

In tying up this topic the first thing you need to do is to create your own sequence. Put together a series of moves which makes sense to you. I once again suggest a long to short range sequence, and make sure you integrate the high-low-high principle, attacking several different targets.

While exercise became acceptable for middle-class women, American society remained reluctant to acknowledge that women regularly faced violence from the men in their lives. Myths about who perpetrated violence against women also helped to make it acceptable for white native-born women to train in self-defense. We still see this today. Despite my personal experience as a stalking victim, women are far more likely to be attacked by someone they know in private than by a stranger in public. Even still, American women are taught to fear strangers and public spaces.

The world of martial arts is incredibly diverse. Each martial arts style has its unique characteristics, from the powerful striking techniques of Muay Thai to the graceful movements of Tai Chi. Every discipline has its own history and purpose, providing a rich tapestry of martial arts.

Muay Thai is a dynamic fighting style characterized by the artful combination of fists, elbows, knees, shins, and devastating clench techniques. It is famous for a full contact sparring component, although most sparring training is in Thai boxing is light.

The techniques and tactics of Muay Thai were honed for warfare. Over time, Thai Boxing has developed into a popular spectator sport and remains an integral part of Thai culture. Muay Thai training focuses on building conditioning, endurance, and precise technique execution.

Muay Thai is practiced worldwide and is highly regarded for its effectiveness in competition and self-defense situations. Thai fighters engage in rigorous training sessions that include pad work, heavy bag training, sparring, and conditioning drills. The training methods aim to develop strength, speed, agility, and mental resilience.

Taekwondo is a fast-paced martial arts style originating in Korea. Taekwondo draws inspiration from traditional Korean fighting styles such as Taekkyeon and Subak, which date back to 37 BC. Taekwondo emphasizes high and fast kicks, as well as precise hand techniques.

Modern Taekwondo began to take shape in the 1940s and 50s following the end of the Japanese occupation in Korea. The martial arts style of Taekwondo places great emphasis on self-discipline, respect, and mental fortitude.

Taekwondo training encompasses various aspects, including self-defense techniques, forms or patterns, sparring, and board-breaking techniques. Practitioners engage in repetitive drills to refine techniques and enhance flexibility by combining intricate footwork, swift strikes, and blocks, making it an art form that blends beauty, athleticism, and practicality.

Tai Chi Chuan was established in China and is rooted in Taoist philosophy seeking to harmonize the body, mind, and spirit. The development of Tai Chi is attributed to Zhang Sanfeng, a Taoist monk, though the precise historical details are often debated.

Tai Chi focuses on cultivating internal energy, promoting physical health, and achieving a sense of balance in the body and mind. Techniques consist of a series of slow, fluid movements (known as sequences) performed in a continuous and connected manner.

Kickboxing is a full-contact fighting style that combines pouches and kicks, combining striking techniques from both the upper and lower body. Kickboxing originated in the 1960s blending the martial arts styles of boxing and karate. Kickboxing has gained global popularity as a competitive combat sport.

Kickboxing focuses on developing striking skills, physical conditioning, and self-defense techniques. Kickboxers utilize a variety of techniques, including punches, kicks, knee strikes, and depending on the fighting style, sometimes elbows.

Pad work and heavy bag training are integral aspects of training. Practitioners and their coaches use mitts or Thai pads to train for accuracy, speed, and timing. Sparring is another critical aspect of kickboxing training that allows for a practical application in a controlled but realistic environment.

Karate is a traditional Japanese fighting style that uses striking techniques using various body parts, including punches, kicks, knee strikes, and elbow strikes. The origins of Karate are traced back to the island of Okinawa during the Ryukyu Kingdom era (14th to 19th century).

Karate was practiced during the Ryukyu Kingdom in secret as a means of self-defense against bandits and other threats. Karate is practiced worldwide today with several different styles emphasizing different aspects, such as self-defense, sport, or traditional values.

Karate is a martial arts type that pursues constant self-improvement through discipline, respect, and the cultivation of inner strength. The training methods aim to develop posture, balance, coordination, speed, power, and mental focus. Karate training includes practicing basic techniques (kihon), forms (kata), sparring (kumite), and self-defense techniques.

Kung Fu refers to several martial arts types, including Shaolin Kung Fu, Wing Chun, Tai Chi, Baguazhang, and Xingyiquan, to name a few. The precise origins of Kung Fu are highly debated. Legends attribute its creation to an Indian monk named Damo, who brought the fighting style to the Chinese temple of Shaolin in the 5th or 6th century AD.

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