SELF DEFENSE: WHAT ARE YOUR BODY’S NATURAL WEAPONS???

In the unfortunate case where you are called on to defend yourself against an attack, you have three sources of weapons:

1.  Your body’s natural weapons, including learned martial arts skills,
2. Items all around you that can be used to defend yourself (think Jackie Chan grabbing a chair and broom).
3. Weapons or personal safety items such as pepper spray, safety alarms, etc.

 Today, we’re going to talk about your body’s natural weapons, and we are going to put these  weapons into three categories: 

1. Your best weapon is always your mind.  First of all, you want to think ahead of time and NOT put yourself in a possibly dangerous situation.  How do you put yourself in such a situation?   going out at night alone, driving on low pressure in your tires, a low gas tank, or low battery left on your cell phone, running alone in a park / secluded area especially early morning and late night, not locking your house or car doors, not paying attention to where you are walking, hanging out in high crime areas, holding things in both hands while walking alone in a secluded/dark area, meeting someone you don’t know, or don’t know well, in a non-public area, leaving a bar/party with someone you just met, and going out with individuals you cannot trust.  In other words, don’t be there in the first place!  And remember, stay sober; alcohol and drugs cloud your judgment, and put you off guard and off balance.

  Another aspect of your mind is your mental frame of mind:  self confidence and a strong attitude is a show of strength.  Often if you don’t look like a victim, you won’t be a victim.    A person with high self esteems is less likely to be a victim of domestic violence. Remember your attacker will look for the easiest prey.  Heads up, and look strong!

 2. Another great weapon is your mouth (and I don’t mean to bite!).  Scream loud and strong, as loud as you possibly can.  This will do several things;  draw anyone’s nearby attention, make the attacker think you are not alone, and this will demonstrate to your attacker you are strong and will fight back.  Remember, attackers are generally lazy and will look for the easiest targets possible.  Say things like, “I’m not alone, Mike come quick”, or “Stop right now”, or “Help, Fire, Call 911“.  What you don’t want to do is yell something derogatory, racist or inflammatory – that will just anger, and not frighten, your attacker.  Remember you do not want to make a bad situation worse. 

 3.  You were born with natural weapons:

 a. Your hands:  heal of your palm, closed fist vertically or horizontally, your fingers, elbow strikes (rising, downward, backwards and forward motions), knife hand strikes (outer portion of hand), ridge hand strike (tucking your thumb, your inner portion of your hand),and the back of your fist in a swinging or spinning position.

 b. Your legs and feet:  knee kicks, stomp, ax or hook kick with your heal, front kick with ball of foot, roundhouse with top of foot or ball of foot, side kick with outside edge of foot, and crescent kick with inside edge of foot.

 How do you learn to use these techniques? 

a. Study self defense or martial arts with a qualified instructor.  Martial arts is a way of building a strong mind and body, and one that focuses the mind and body to work in unison for your betterment.   It increases your speed, power, flexibility, focus, footwork and coordination. You need to think strong, work strong, and build a strong body to have self confidence to successfully defend yourself.

 b. Stay tuned for future installments where we will show you video of simple self defense techniques

Jan Wood holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement) and is an active 5^th degree black belt training and teaching in Taekwondo and Gumdo in Palatine, IL.

Questions?  Looking for more information?  Call 847- 705-8714 for John or Jan Wood at JP Wood Martial Arts, 249 E. Northwest Hwy, Palatine, IL,  or email at jpwoodsmaa@msn.com

 © 2012 Janice Wood