The importance of being able to defend yourself physically?

[Fie]

I'm curious about the importance of having some training in defending yourself physically. There are still, unfortunately, a lot of homophobic horrible people out there, so i'd like to know how many others here have taken training/lessons specifically in self-defense because they are trans. I personally have thought about this a lot, and I acknowledge that chances are, I will get into trouble a few times over my lifetime once I am FT and I want to be able to protect myself and get out of a bad situation.

So, how many others out there are thinking about or have already learned self defense? Did you just take self-defense classes or did you train in a martial art? Also, how confident do you feel  that you would be alright if you ended up in a bad situation?

Mostly i'm just trying to decide if it's a very beneficial idea to learn self-defense and what kind of classes have been most beneficial to others.

[~RoadToTrista~]

I think everyone should learn to defend themselves, not just trans people. Personally I'm interested in Muay Thai, or another form of martial arts.

[kate durcal]

I have a 3rd degree black belt, I carry a 1911, and have a lawyer in a retainer. Ah! THE POWER OF MONEY. Go ahead punk, make my day!

Kate D

[BillieTex]

i hate violence, always believed in a better way, sad the rest of the world doesn't...

[V M]

My step dad (a Vietnam vet.) started teaching me the Jujitsu and Tae kwon do he'd learned in the military after a couple of guys tried to rape me in the showers at high school... I wouldn't call myself an expert or anything (I'm not a braggart) but I learned enough to defend myself and after a couple more run ins with some other campus bullies, suddenly no-one picked on me anymore

I've also studied a few other forms over the years, but now that I'm getting old I've taken an interest in Tai Chi  Very graceful

[Lisbeth]

So, how many others out there are thinking about or have already learned self defense? Did you just take self-defense classes or did you train in a martial art? Also, how confident do you feel  that you would be alright if you ended up in a bad situation?

Mostly i'm just trying to decide if it's a very beneficial idea to learn self-defense and what kind of classes have been most beneficial to others.

I had to in order to overcome fear. Wu Chien Pai martial arts. The best part is not using it, just knowing that you can. http://www.femamartialarts.org/

[tekla]

Track and Field.  Your best bet it to run faster and farther than they can.  Where some martial arts training might help against some low-life punk, unless you have been living a constantly violent lifestyle it's going to be of no help against people who really know how to fight and do it often.

[V M]

True, it is best to avoid conflict and the fine art of run 'n hide is at times the better option when available 

[Pinkfluff]

I'd say it's very important, as one day your life may depend on it. I took some karate classes as a kid as well as independent research. Unfortunately though not everyone has the physical health and strength to fight somebody big, and obviously martial arts are of limited use against someone with a knife or gun (unless you're a SEAL or something, but most people aren't).

I think that even more important though is knowing how to not get into such a situation. Yes sometimes it may be inevitable and that's why you should learn what you can about defense, but I believe that most of the time clear thinking and situational awareness can keep you safe. Much of it is really just common (or uncommon) sense too. Don't go out at night if you don't have to. If your friends live nearby then go places in groups whenever possible. Always watch what everyone around you is doing and where they are going. Always have a planned escape route from every place you go to. Remember that a crowd is not necessarily a deterrent to crime, especially for minority groups like us. Simply don't go to places that are shady or meet people you don't trust, with the possible exception of a public area if the meeting is really necessary.

Your mind is often your best weapon. Use it.

[tekla]

Don't go out at night if you don't have to.

I'm not giving up half of the time of my life to fear.

[Pinkfluff]

Well I think it depends on the area too. I'm sure many places are quite safe at night. Here however there are always reports of people getting mugged, robbed, or even shot, sometimes within minutes of where I live.

You just have to adapt your strategy to your situation.

[Randi]

The 1st rule of an effective martial art defense regimine is do not put yourself into harms way. In other words find a way around it or go the other way. Once you are trained in what to look for you will know the signs before you get there and can then take evasive action.

How is this important you ask? It's the difference between life and death. Just because you will let someone be what or how they want to be does not mean they will afford you the same luxury-they will kill you for the change in your pocket and brag about it to their gang buddies. You must be prepared for this type of person or you will become a statistic. I for one refuse to go that way.

If you can't evade an aggressor the quickest way thru an obstacle is straight thru it-quickly and without hesitation-if you hesitate when conflict gets close to you physically it is already too late to react and your opponent has the advantage. at that point you are playing catch up-not a good place to be but not impossible to escape from. Be first to move and live-move afterwards and you will probably not live to see another day.

I studied Isshinryu-3 years of constant intense training-3 times a week at the dojo and all the late nights at home refining my movements and especially footwork. If your feet are out of line your body must follow that. It's a lot to think about that is why training is so important-as you practice you will perform. If your practice is lax you can't expect to perform in a stressful situation.

If you are to win in an altercation, you must train harder than your opponent. If you have a problem with someone tomorrow but you have said you will make up tomorrow for not working tonight, but your opponent has worked hard to refine his/her moves, who do you think will be victorious? The one who has worked the most will win. Be ready and live.

Sorry, I am passionate about self defense. I had a very good teacher who very seldom lost to anyone-very young-very effective. He taught us well in Isshinryu and Jujitsu. I would not hesitate to dispatch more than one opponent even at my advanced age-and I would do it quickly without any hesitation. That is why I am for the most part unafraid to go anywhere on the planet because I have already been thru the gauntlet-and lived to get the belt waiting at the end. I don't know everything but I do know what I need to know in order to survive.

For what it is worth-I flatly refuse to live in fear of what someone can do to me-better they should fear me!

Randi

[Sabriel Facrin]

I have a genuine supporter who is learned in martial arts, though it's really doubtful that she took it up for any of her feelings of identity and how they would be repressed.  I have a friend who, as best as I can figure out, has refined the arts of chewing people out. >>;;;

Personally I have an interest but by-far lack a serious devotion I need, and my schedule isn't friendly to taking classes ANYWAY.  I might get a license for and buy a tazer and call it a day S:

[V M]

Your mind is often your best weapon. Use it.

This... and the part about being aware of your surroundings 

Well I think it depends on the area too. I'm sure many places are quite safe at night. Here however there are always reports of people getting mugged, robbed, or even shot, sometimes within minutes of where I live.

You just have to adapt your strategy to your situation.

I've lived in some of these types of places... Have witnessed shoot outs, stabbings, robberies... The odd thing is I've been attacked more often in so called safer neighborhoods... Confuses the stuff out of me... Maybe my awareness was more alert in the "bad" areas?

[Ryno]

I do plan on taking up martial arts. I just don't have the money right now, and I live in a fairly small community with few options.

I do believe self-defense is in anyone's interest; there's no guarantee you will never encounter someone who wants to hurt you. Yes, there are definitely ways around physical violence, and as said above, those ways are taught in martial arts. But along with good diplomatic skills, being trained to physically defend yourself is an important back-up in case nothing else works - even running from an assailant can lead you to trouble if they are faster than you - and then you're out of steam from running.

These are what-if scenarios that, in most cases, won't happen every day or even every year. But it could happen once in your lifetime and it's that one time you'll need to know how to get out alive and unharmed.

I will add that by "in anyone's interest" I don't mean everyone should go out and learn a martial art. I simply mean that anyone who does go out and take up the practice isn't doing themselves any harm.

V M: Here's where the saying "expect the unexpected" fits in "Good" neighbourhoods are often overlooked and misjudged as completely safe. There are nasty people everywhere, but it's the poorer neighbourhoods that have the reputation of being the place to get mugged. It could be as simple as a wealthy guy's delinquent nephew staying in the neighbourhood for a few weeks and decides to pick you as a victim. It could be the one bad apple in the neighbourhood. A good rule of thumb is to understand how to keep out of trouble anywhere at night. Gotta try not to attract attention and get from point A to B as confidently and efficiently as possible if you're alone. And always have some kind of plan in case something does happen. This doesn't mean organize your life around fear, it just means, be prepared for anything because anything can happen.

[Cindy]

I walked this path many years ago. I was a very good light weight free fighter in karate. I practiced a lot and in open competition. I very nearly killed some one who came after me in the toilets at a pub. But I was at my very high level, he was out of the game and had lost most of his face before he could grab me, he was still taunting me. I smashed his face repeatedly against the sink. The sink broke. I left him.

Unless you have that speed, level of violence and lack of care for people you will not win. I gave up violence after that as I realised it could well overwhelm me. At the time I felt very good ruining that person.
I no longer feel that way.

Most violent street fighting people practice violent street fighting very often. They are very skilled and very violent unless you are on the absolute top of your game you will be out of the fight before you can blink. And if there is more than one forget it.

Cindy

Avoid the situation and if confronted run like hell. If  mugged for your wallet etc give it to them.

[Jennie]

I would have to say yes, learn to defend yourself and as some others have pointed out first is avoiding it if possible and if not take care of things fast and direct, like if your life is in danger think groin, eyes, temple, things that will get them to let go or stop, I carry a small stick I custom made, it is called a kobutan and it is very good at hitting points like the temple ( this could kill them if you hit them in the temple with a kobutan).
I have also taken different martial arts for over 30 years, I started with Karate but I did not like it too much then I went to Tiger Crane style of Kung Fu, I liked that a lot and stayed with it for many years up to black belt then I went to Judo and got a black belt in Judo, that was fun but I still wanted to learn more so I was introduced to Aikido and I love that the best, I am a black belt in Aikido also, I like the Aikido to best because you do not need to be strong and your using your attackers force against him.  Life is a circle and so is Aikido, it takes a force coming to you and lets you redirect it in a circle and give it right back to them, I highly recomend learning it.
Aloha from Hawaii

Jennie

[Jennie]

i hate violence, always believed in a better way, sad the rest of the world doesn't...

Like BilliTex and even Cindy says, Violence is no good, that is another reason that I like Aikido so much, it is a not violent martial art.  Aloha.

Jennie

[~RoadToTrista~]

I would rather just kick their ass. Ugh, I hate when you guys are right. -.-

[Lisbeth]

Track and Field.  Your best bet it to run faster and farther than they can.  Where some martial arts training might help against some low-life punk, unless you have been living a constantly violent lifestyle it's going to be of no help against people who really know how to fight and do it often.

Faster than a speeding bullet? Unless you're really sure you can outrun them, running is an open invitation to getting attacked. "Be the arrow, not the target."

The five fingers of self-defense are Mind, Voice, Escape, Fight, Tell. Use your Mind to avoid danger in the first place. Use your Voice to prevent potential attackers from getting too close. Use your martial arts skills to Escape when grabbed. Fight when you can't escape. And Tell people what happened.