‘When it comes to self-defense, it is better to have the power and not need it than to need it and not have it’, a meaningful and practical quote on Self-defense.
Life is unpredictable and so are the people around you. Yes, this is an era where uncertainty is at a boom. You never know what situation is going to unfold the very next moment. Self-defense helps to prepare you for unexpected situations and also helps develop increased mental and physical health. It may sound difficult to imagine being attacked by a stranger, but it happens every day. It comes without a warning signal. It happens when you least expect it. So, learn the basics of defence and prepare yourself from critical and unanticipated circumstances.
Important points of Self Defense:
1. Awareness
Be aware of your surroundings and what is happening around you. Keep your eyes and ears open. Be alert and vigilant. Pay attention to the slightest disturbance around you. You never know what’s going to happen the very next moment.
2. Physical fitness
Keep yourself physically fit. Take up any exercise. It can be anything whether walking, jogging, running, swimming, cycling, yoga, hitting the gym, etc. Follow it. Make it a daily routine. The more you make your body undergo physical labour, the more flexible it would be to take up more work and face any random awkward situations.
3. Mental Alertness
Physical fitness only won’t suffice to deal with an unpleasant situation. Mental alertness is equally important. Many a times, while travelling, whether on the way to office or way back to home, our minds are preoccupied with multiple thoughts running at a time. Avoid that. You never know who may take advantage of that. Don’t be absent minded. You need to be present in the moment, especially when you are alone and moving through a deserted area.
4. Vital and Strong points awareness
Know your vital and strong points. A little knowledge can go far to save you from unwanted situations. ‘A vital point is a pressure sensitive point on or near the surface of the human body. Vital points function like gateways to the nervous system, the main controller of the body, allowing you to use pain to influence the actions and reactions of an opponent’. Even a single strike to the vitals can cause serious damage, unconsciousness or, in rare cases, death.
The important vitals are:
1. Temple
2. Eyes
3. Ears
4. Bridge of nose
5. Chin
6. Adam’s Apple
7. Side of neck
8. Throat
9. Armpit
10. Elbow
11. Wrist
12. Fingers
13. Solar plexus
14. Collar bone
15. Knee
16. Shin and calf
17. Groin
Gain knowledge of common self-defense situations, learn at least basic Self defense techniques with bare hands & handy pocket weapons(like forehead pins, glass bangles, pen, etc). By grasping these facts and applying these skills, you can not only protect yourself but also be a saviour for others.
In case of an unavoidable situation, seek help. Shout. Scream at the top of your voice. Always keep pepper spray along with you. Be prepared. Be safe. Be a survivor, not a victim. Face it boldly as the situation demands. After all, the road is yours, whether it’s day or night. Gulp the fear down the throat and walk down the lane with your shoulders straight. Will you?
This is a great subject, Rashmi and so relevant in today’s times. There’s is a free self defense workshop for women organized by Aditya Thackery and Akshay Kumar at Andheri Sports Complex every weekend. Though it’s so nearby, I haven’t enrolled myself for it. I must do it, reading your post, I am motivated!!
Thank you Anshu:)
Yes, you should go and enrol for this. Let’s get prepared for the unseen, encourage others too, and make it a more safer place to live in.
Agree, Rashmi! In fact, I am thinking to enroll my daughter for self defense too!
That’s great!
Great introduction to self defense. Once, I had attend a short workshop on self defense and know we women must train ourselves. This is a pertinent topic in these times of increasing violence against women.
Do stop by my #AtoZChallenge post for S and share your thoughts:
https://lonelycanopyblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/20/salam-singh-ki-haveli-a-house-of-luxury-and-decadance/
Thank you Seema. Good to know that you enrolled for a workshop. It would be really great if more and more women come forward and learn to protect themselves from unavoidable situations.
I learned that if someone is trying to carry you away, to drop to the floor and be dead weight. Very hard to pick up someone who does not move.
Thank you for the tips.
Thank you for stopping by. Yes, there are many such techniques involved with which your opponent can lose the grip on you and you can get a chance to run away to a safer place.