self defense class vs. dojo compared.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Aggie_Ama
I am more interested in self defense, I found a local place for karate and one for Krav Maga but not sure what I want yet. I would much rather take a women's only so that is what I am looking for.
martial arts is not self defense although training could be useful in that heaven forbid I ever need it .... again :o
a self defense class is not martial arts.
A good self defense class may be women-only, take 1-3 days and give you good basics. Check schedules of an adult school near you or ask your local police for a recommendation.
and puhleeeese, don't even talk about kick boxing in the gym. Fabulous aerobic workout, fun, get you in great shape .... worse than useless as defense. :(
I can understand your wanting a women only class but:
if take up a martial art (in a dojo) it will be mixed men and women and likely male instructor. I can count on the fingers of one hand with a thumb left over the women only dojos I'm aware of. On the other hand, there are lots of great women Dojo Cho's (head instructors).
My Sensei (teacher) is a woman, the classes are mixed. And it's a good thing. :D
I like training with the guys, they like training with me. In a good dojo they will treat you well. I like knowing that if some 6'5" guy attacks "alrighty there big fella, you're shorter than Scott and I can throw and pin him" and the guys like knowing if someone 5' nuthin' attacks .... nah, that's not gonna happen. But when we do some techniques they run the other way because it's soooooo hard to do with someone shorter :cool: And sensei comes around and tells them "if you can throw Trek420 koshinage, you've got it!"
I still recommend that if you would feel better taking a class that you look for a good self defense class. That might be women only.
Martial arts is a life-long commitment, not a quick fix. My goal is never stop learning, and never use it. :cool: If you decide to take up an art look for a good teacher. Don't worry about the style.
Krav Maga & Karate are both excellent beautiful styles and can be effective self defense. Krav Maga, dang woman, that is some nasty deadly brutal awful bruising deadly stuff. I started with Karate and respect and love the art.
How did you feel about the teacher & school?
Watch a bunch of classes especially beginner classes, you're going to be one for a loooooooong time.
How do they treat beginners? How do they handle someone training with an injury? Do they warm up? Cool down? Do they seem concerned with safety?
We're so lucky in my school that unless she's away all classes are taught by the head instructor. Very unusual for someone of her rank. Go to a bunch of different classes because at most schools different advanced students teach different classes.
Watch an advanced class. You should feel inspired, almost a sense of wonder. That's your teacher! that's your style.
That's how I felt when I first saw Aikido demonstrated. At the time I was already 2nd kyu (upper level brown belt) in Wa Do Ryu Karate, I saw Aikido at a demo and said "I gotta do that.". Two days later I'd signed up. That was about 1980 ... here I am still trying to learn it. Guess I'm slow :rolleyes: or it's something you never master.
www.ai-ki-do.org
Well, off to the dojo. Have fun, be safe everyone.
Do as I say not as I do ....
I agree that at any intersection that you feel iffy about, don't stick around waiting for a light .... go.
If it feels weird, maybe it is.
If you're pulled over by the cops they will understand and yes, better a ticket than remain in what you intuit is a vulnerable situation.
Your best defense is that small voice that says "go".
Listen :cool:
I don't favor debate of what to carry where when for many reasons. I don't know what they have, I don't know what they know. I'm sometimes asked "have you ever used it?" meaning Aikido training. The couple'a times I've ended up "using it" my attackers apologized :rolleyes: From talking to other Aikidoists this seems quite common. Guess the perp did not think I train.
Surprise Surprise :D :rolleyes: :p :D I've really gotta work on that vicious East Bay Don't Mess With Me look :rolleyes:
There is a bike/ped freeway overpass on my commute that is very isolated. I've been trying to get it signed so I'll have some company on it :D
The reason I may sometimes have a tiny knife when I'm there is I'm reasonably sure that if I had to I could draw and use it before they knew. I'm reasonably confident that if a perp got my weapon I know what to do.
But I never want to draw it, never want to use it except to open a Luna Bar wrapper which is about what it's good for.
The fight we avoid, never starts or you're able to just up and leave is the one you win. Asked why we don't use kicks in Aikido I say "because we like to run away" or walk or ride in my Arthritic case. :rolleyes:
I take very seriously the words of Hans Goto Sensei, who I've trained with. He said something along the lines of when we're doing tanto (knife) training that "You first must accept and expect that you are about to get very badly hurt, maybe mortally injured." With this technique and that maybe you can survive, maybe he gets hurt worse, maybe you win ...
Do as I say, not as I do. I carry but do not recommend anyone do so.
Ride safe, be aware and alert, use your judgement and intuition, have fun .... just get out and ride.
What is wrong with people!!
In the newspaper tonight I see the woman who reported this made it up. Why do people do such a thing? I am still going to look into a self defense class and possibly pepper spray but I am completely relieved to know there is not some perp running around raping people near my house. And just tonight I went for a run around my neighborhood at 9:00 while DH cleaned his bike and was a little worried if I should be out at night alone. Some of our streets are lit but not developed with houses yet. Ugh. I am taking back my independence, roads and sanity.
Seriously this woman needs help.
