I have a story for you.

Sunday morning, twotickets and I left the school at 7:50am and walked to Namsan where we caught the 8:05am bus. Reaching the train station, we chilled until 9:15 when our train to Busan arrived. Getting to Busan Train Station at 10:35am, we then proceeded to get on the subway in Busan and work out way to Kyungsung University subway stop where the gym that we were heading to was located. The floor above Pizza Hut (no, we resisted the temptation and didn't get pizza) was the DongChunBaekSan Jiujitsu gym where Vince and Josh were waiting for us and ten other girls.

It was a self defense class for girls to feel safe learning self defense with a garuantee of no men making crude jokes or saying things that could possibly mess with the training. Aka, no boyfriends, husbands, brothers, etc allowed. Afterwards, twotickets made the very enlightened comment that they had used a lot of positive reinforcement, and it worked.

We got together, hung out, learned each others' names (or tried to) and went over what we would be doing. Basically half the girls would work with one guy and the other half would work with the other guy, then we would switch. After that, another friend would come and do a clinic with us. So we did a warm up workout that had me pretty sure I was gonna die of a heart attack or asthma or both before we even started.

It was good though and each of the exercises we did were all in an attempt to improve our ability at running away. Yes, there was a lot of running involved. In fact we spent a long time just learning how to go from laying on the ground to on our feet and then how to run... all which we had to learn. There is a better way (safest way) to do everything that I thought I knew how to do.

Then after that, we split into the two groups. I went with Josh's group first. He taught us TaeKwonDo stuff aimed at giving you an advantage. First we learned how to stand. Then we learned how to pivot. How to block. How to punch. How to do all those things simultaneously. Then we sparred with padded gloves. One thing that really caught my attention was the repeated comment by Josh that I had a lot of power. I've always assumed I was rather weak so being told I had something there that was useful made my day.

After that we learned to kick and sparred that way too. It was just as fun, but I realized I had a lot of work to do to understand my partner. I'm not very understanding of another's feelings and often how to be told bluntly how one feels or what they need. So I learned some teamwork stuff there.

After that, Josh taught us something he called swimming. Reaching a hand high into the air and bringing it back down close to you. We soon learned that this was really helpful in getting the edge on someone you are wrestling, and from there wrestling commenced. I was proud to win the sparring right away, but soon was getting beaten. Afterwards, Josh said he had figured out our styles and that everyone had one. Mine is evidently just pushing ahead full power. That actually describes many aspects of my life and I was surprised by how he hit it on the nail.

Switching groups, I went to Vince's and learned Jiu Jitsui. At least some basics for self defense. He had us all lay down and practice how to get out of a hold if someone has pinned us to the ground by our side. That took some work to get down. Then we learned how to pull them in our guard and how to control them. Then we learned how to get out of a hold if someone is sitting on our waist. Quite frankly, that was scary position to be in and I am glad I know how to get out of it. Then we learned to pull them in our guard again. From there we learned how to block. If someone has you pinned, there is a good chance they are going to try to punch you. Learned how to lessen the damage they do. Vince had me try to punch him while he simply blocked, and I was told by him that I had a lot of power and to use it. So this girl is stronger than she thought she was.

Then we learned some basic stuff we could do to them to either immobilize them or just completely hurt them. Vince explained that if we are ever at that point in our lives... we are fighting for our lives. Fighting to live. Screw worries about the law or jail, better to be behind bars and alive than ... well... dead. So I have no problem, with that thought in mind, ripping off noses, ears, or digging into eyes. Among a number of other... techniques. At least I hope I don't have a problem with it.

After all the various ground work there, Daniel (at least I think that was his name) showed up to teach us a clinic. It was Philipino stick/knife fighting?? Whatever it is called, it is very cool. Even a 90 year old could do it. Basically how to swing a stick (or anything else) around in an easy and relaxed way that keeps bad people from getting to close. If they do, thump them. That is the simple version of it, it was a lot more than that.

While he taught us in small groups, Vince talked to us about how to use everyday objects to protect ourselves with, how to act, and what to not do. I can use a chapstick to knock a guy unconscious ^_^ He told us stories about his friends and the stuff they had gotten into. He warned us about what to say and not say. Just so many things.

I grew up wondering if everyone in life was just complacent. If something bad happened, would they sit back and watch and say how horrible it was... or act to help. I have no doubts that those three men would act and act with all swift harshness against anyone that was a criminal, especially towards women.

We ended with laughter, tears, well-wishing, and a final dogpile on Vince. The goal was to hold him down for ten seconds. With ten girls... he was winning. But we prevailed at last :)

Got back to the train station just after 5pm. Grabbed a light supper and boarded by 6pm. Was back at school after 8pm. The taxi driver was nice ^_^ Got permission to use the high school girl's dorm shower so I could have a longer hot shower than I can get at my place. Try to loosen up those muscles so that hopefully come tomorrow I won't be as sore as I would be otherwise. It was a 4 hour class. Worth every moment of my time and every cent I spent to get there. Glad twotickets came with me.

Question: Obviously learning some self defense is a good idea. What do you think is the best self defense method/style/prevention/plan... or if you have advice, would love to hear it!

That is a cool story! I've always wanted to master some kind of martial arts.
As for the question, I know aikido is designed for self defense. I took lessons for about a year when I was in elementary school. I ended up being really bad at it, so I dropped out. I don't know if aikido is the best for self defense but I'm sure it is still important to learn.
I know that criminals often attack people who look like victims-- thus walking in a confident way is more likely to keep them away from you. People also will grab onto hair if the target's hair is long.
I think people should just not be criminals though. That's what needs to happen. It's sad that people have to go way out of their way, and constantly be thinking of ways to protect themselves. It goes back to teaching bullies proper manners as kids and not telling victims to just not get hurt.

That sounds like an amazing class! I wish that more areas provided those sorts of resources for young women and students. I think that it would make a world of difference for everyone to learn the basics of self-defense.

Honestly - My mother is a physical education teacher and she used to teach self-defense classes all the time. When I was about 12-18 years old, I'd go with her to the classes and I'd play the role of "attacker." She'd use me to demonstrate techniques like crotch punching and breaking a grip. The students were always most excited when I attacked her from behind and she'd flip me over her shoulder and onto the ground.

Originally Posted by mzw

That is a cool story! I've always wanted to master some kind of martial arts.
As for the question, I know aikido is designed for self defense. I took lessons for about a year when I was in elementary school. I ended up being really bad at it, so I dropped out. I don't know if aikido is the best for self defense but I'm sure it is still important to learn.
I know that criminals often attack people who look like victims-- thus walking in a confident way is more likely to keep them away from you. People also will grab onto hair if the target's hair is long.
I think people should just not be criminals though. That's what needs to happen. It's sad that people have to go way out of their way, and constantly be thinking of ways to protect themselves. It goes back to teaching bullies proper manners as kids and not telling victims to just not get hurt.

Wow, I haven't heard of that particular style yet. I will go google it :)

Good advice. I'm guilty of the long hair, but can definitely change how I walk for sure. Maybe swing my arms more.

Originally Posted by Knerd

That sounds like an amazing class! I wish that more areas provided those sorts of resources for young women and students. I think that it would make a world of difference for everyone to learn the basics of self-defense.

Honestly - My mother is a physical education teacher and she used to teach self-defense classes all the time. When I was about 12-18 years old, I'd go with her to the classes and I'd play the role of "attacker." She'd use me to demonstrate techniques like crotch punching and breaking a grip. The students were always most excited when I attacked her from behind and she'd flip me over her shoulder and onto the ground.

That is really fun sounding. You should see about helping get a clinic started or something. These guys have been doing this for years and met for open clinics one a month or so. They also taught classes. Usually on Sundays.

So I'm weak and have no ability to use muscles of defending myself. I have a muscle growth problem I really can't develop them well.

So I have some tactics I carry a cell phone in my hand all the time. I then carry a heavy book or item in my bag so I can knock the attacker out. I also keep keys in my hands to use them as daggers I hold them so I can stab the attacker. Also I have a small vial of perfume to spray in the attackers face used like mace~

I don't know how effective it is but that's my plan.

It is a good plan... remember to hold your keys so that just half an inch is sticking out from your fingers, and to have the key braced in the crook of a joint... that way it doesn't move around easily... don't scratch as much as poke repeatedly and hair. Aim for the forehead and nose and eyes... the cheeks have more muscle to cushion the skin...

Oh I plan to aim for the eyes. We learned about the keys in health ed in school. At least all my stuff isn't technically weapons so I can't get in trouble. Though at least I have stuff to keep me and my sister safe.

That is so true. The eyes are easy. The ears can be ripped off if you pull from the top straight down. The nose can be torn up. And anything pointy in the throat works great :D

I took self-defense.

Most of the class was male. It was fine.

I don't see why there has to be a women-only anything.

If you have a glass cup or something and can break it, use it's sharp edges around the person's mouth... will leave a scar that is a universal sign for "rapist" for all women to see in the future.

---------- Post added 05-06-2013 at 11:44 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Dystopia

I took self-defense.

Most of the class was male. It was fine.

I don't see why there has to be a women-only anything.

The reason for it being all women was because here in South Korea, men were being less than kind with their verbal jokes at the gyms. So when these three guys decided to train women in self defense, they wanted to garuantee no verbal harassment.

That said, they did encourage finding a gym to train at in the future with men because in order to fight a man to defend yourself, you should train with them.

I'm Korean. .___.

That is so cool Dystopia! It was just the experience of those men and the female friends that they knew. Gyms were a hard place to be if you couldn't stand up for yourself... which was why you were there in the first place, to learn how. So after hearing those bad stories year after year, they decided to make a safe place for people to learn.

My martial arts experience comes from Krav Maga, the Isreali self defense system. It is not 'pretty' at all, nor is it a 'McDojo' in terms of levelling/earning belts. It is really about learning how to be safe in the worst possible scenario and especially in the lower half of the levels there is a heavy focus on using technique over pure strength. I only weigh 86 lbs, and am 5 feet tall. I have been bullied throughout my life and have am a bit of a geek-goth who looks over 10 years younger than I actually am, so I am a perfect 'target'.

I also have to be careful and self-moderate very carefully because I am physically disabled. I cannot go up and down the stairs and bend do to my own laundry nor do an actual large grocery shopping trip and have enough stamina left over after moving all the bags from all the various point A to point Bs on my third floor flat in order to not pass out without putting the frozen foods away before my roomate gets home from work.

Yet I can punch, kick, throw or thrust off my hips other guys about three times my mass. I can continue to give more Krav theory and anecdotes if anyone is interested, this is just my half-asleep 'introduction' to the thread.

Male or female, I'd say as soon as you've hit puberty, a self-defense system is a win-win for everyone. As a child it's more of a Mc-Dojo situation. They do forward rolls ont he ground and get white bets. Their bodies don't maintain the body mass and the muscle memory because they are constantly growing and changing. It's... almost like dancing at that point. Ballet, gymnastics, and figure skating are something better suited to pre-pubescents. Just the basics of "eyes and ears", stranger danger, and responsible parenting... things that can be communicated verbally and executed with intelligence are good enough for a seven year old, as they are obviously not going to take on a 250lb guy on testosterone, adrenaline, and who knows what else(?) even if they have a yellow belt in some random "karate" class their parents paid for because they could do forward rolls across the floor (I remember my little brother doing this and... I had to try very hard not to laugh).

You know Krav Maga?! Lucky! I've heard about that style and researched it online. I really want to learn but finding someone who actually knows what they are talking about has been impossible. Maybe when I get back to the states, I can find a place where someone can train me. That would be so nice. Then no one could kill me... or at least be less likely.

@maidenroseheart- I began studying Krav Maga in the San Francisco studio January of 2005. At the time we had a black belt FROM Isreal. You can only become a Black Belt by going to the NATIONAL training Center in LA (Los Angeles, not Louisiana). At the time, there were only about 20 in the USA, and we had one!. Now, our studio has 3 black belts, well, 2 the original has had to take a break because the commute was too hard for him but the Law Enforcement guy and another instructor has made it. There are STILL less than 100 Krav black belts in the US.

In April 2006 I tested for Yellow Belt proficency and made it, but I've been stuck on the Orange Belt cirrucula because dueto my disability I haven't had the stamina to do 6-7 hours of DYING in a row. The Yellow Belt test was 4-5 hours of being utterly exhausted THEN they test you and you have to be perfect. Literally during tests and semiars some people throw up or some people leave the room with a trail of blood... Like I said, not pretty, but I did it. My body was broken for some time after that.

I'm undergoing aquatic physical therapy now and hopefully my doctor will sign off for more intensive physical therapy that will hopefully supplement my stamina and allow me to get to a point where I can test... I've been stuck as 'orange belt proficient but hasn't tested' for way too long. At least with the seminars we see things that are in the higher levels... gun, knife, carjacking! really interesting things. Also in the movies and TV, I've seen this on Supernatural, Sherlock, and really recently Orphan Black... if someone puts a gun ON your body basically you can take it away from them... you just have to be quick enough to get out of the line of sight. Just like Dean Winchester said "Please tell me that's a shotgun!" If they do that... they've never had a gun taken away. If they have had a gun taken away... they'll be aiming at you screaming at you to get down on the ground etc from a couple of yards away where you're more or less screwed... can't chance running can't take the gun away... there's this little zone of being f***ed.

I was looking into going to Israel and taking their self defense course for women. It is seriously tempting but I would have to save save up for a year or two to afford it. If I could rub a lamp and get a genie... even if it is just one wish... I would wish for a bodyguard who has been trained in Krav Maga in Israel. That would be what I want. Someone certified by them.

---------- Post added 05-06-2013 at 09:03 PM ----------

Crow, do you have any advice or suggestions to share regarding self defense and how a person (who has otherwise no understanding of self defense) might protect themselves?

Once my sister and I were walking in town and a black truck was following us. I pulled out my cell phone and grabbed my sister's arm and went into the nearby store. We got the police to get the guy he was planning on something bad so I'm glad that I did what I did.

I am too... smart thinking Minako!

The guy was an idiot trying to do it in the day time on main street of town... It was scary at the time but now I look back it was just stupid on the guy's part.

That was pretty stupid... he didn't plan things well at all... and we are all thankful for that.

Yeah especially since I had my little sister trying to protect her would be hard. I have plans for myself but at that time thoughts were going through my head on how to protect her!

Now my question is any advice for protecting your little one not just yourself?

Keep them behind you and the enemy in front? That way they have to deal with you... then use what you know of for fighting or delaying a person so the little one can get away or help can come...

What if the person has grabbed her? I'm not strong enough to tackle a person.

Attack their face... rip off the ears by grabbing the tops and jerking hard downwards... stab and twist fingers in the eyes... grab nostrils and jerk up as hard as you can... punch them in the temple or neck....

I just thought I could spray their eyes with my perfume that would get them to drop my sis or throw rocks at them if they are running too fast.