Is “Women’s Self-Defense” Necessary?
Andrew L. Patterson Godan/Head Instructor-Patterson’s Martial Arts I will be conducting a Women’s Self Defense Class in January. This is a class designed to help Women become aware of their surrounding, gain knowledge of weapons improvisation, and take some skills home that they can practice to become proficient in self defense. It is not a cure all, NOT a class to guarantee success in defending oneself. It is known by my Students, and will be made known to any future Students, be it in my Women’s Self Defense Class or in regular Karate Classes that Martial Arts takes a LONG time to become proficient in, and all because one knows Martial Arts, that does not mean that they can effectively defend themselves, or win in a hand to hand combat situation. Martial Arts training provides the person defending themselves with Martial Training, and thus a distinct advantage against the person being the aggressor. These things are apparent to myself and my Students. The question remains, however; is Women’s Self Defense even necessary, relevant, worth-while? The short answer is yes. Women’s Self Defense is important, relevant, and effective for the target audience- Women. Women and men, for the most part, differ in strength and physical ability. Women’s Self Defense Classes should, first and foremost, identify that, and work with the perceived disability of the female in a physical confrontation with a male, or even a larger female. In our classes, we first identify what risks may be in the Lady’s daily routine. We provide a written Threat Assessment Form that each Student fills out, then we discuss identified habits and behavior that the Student may be doing, and ways to become more aware of the situation, and ways to lessen their daily risks. Our Instructors then train the Student in Basic Self Defense Techniques. Then we get right into the Student beating the Instructors, using proscribed, basic self defense techniques. The point is to practically apply these few techniques, to the (well padded) Instructor. This will help the Student feel what it is like to use these techniques and how effective they can be in an intense situation. Other topics we cover is improvised weapons, safe use of non-lethal/less-lethal weapons, “What-if” situations, and escape and evasion. This is all catered for women. Still, some people are of the opinion that providing training specifically geared for women is useless, even dangerous. I completely disagree. Providing a Self Defense Class especially for women is important because there is a special need, and abilities which women have that men do not, and these abilities need to be capitalized upon! I think that providing Women’s Self Defense Courses to first help specifically women become aware and more able to defend themselves, and also generalized Martial Arts Instruction to a mixed Student Body to help all people become better individuals is absolutely necessary. I think that neglecting either of these aspects of Martial Training is dangerous and even irresponsible. The point of Martial Arts is to live better through Martial Arts. Not having to ever defend oneself, but having enjoyed the healthy benefits of Martial Arts is my goal as a Kenpo Karate Instructor for my Students. I never want to hear of, or see a fellow person being hurt in an assault. But if a person is assaulted unjustly, I simply LOVE to hear that they successfully defended themselves using Martial Arts and “sent the assailant home with a rupture”.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMy name is Andrew Patterson. I compiled the curriculum for Patterson's Kenpo Karate, and am the Head Instructor and Owner of Patterson's Martial Arts. I am also theState Representative for the International Kenpo Karate Academies. 541-292-9784 Archives
April 2017
Categories
All
|