You just had a close call - you were waiting for the bus after staying at work late. The neighborhood gets a little rough after hours and a suspicious character approached you. Before things could escalate, a handful of people joined you at the stop. Still, the situation was enough for you to seriously consider how you would react to being attacked. Is it time for self-defense classes? It could be.
Self-defense classes are a common way for people to learn how to handle a situation where they become a victim to violence of one sort or another. There are several different types of self-defense classes available - from martial arts to simple self-defense classes, and it can be confusing trying to choose the one that is right for you.
Here are a few tips for you, to help choose a self-defense class that will deliver the knowledge you need to protect yourself:
* Investigate the different programs - If you don’t have the time to spend learning a martial arts discipline, then maybe a weekend course that offers you techniques and other escape strategies will work for you. You don’t necessarily need to physically defeat an opponent - you merely need to provide yourself an opportunity to escape safely.
* Good courses don’t tell you what to do - Instead, good self defense courses provide you with simple techniques, information on the options you have when a situation arises, and also teach you how to analyze the type of danger you are in. Every situation is different, and you should not be fooled by those classes that give you the absolute answer for every situation.
* Find out the background of the instructor - Your instructor should have extensive experience in their field of self-defense. Discover if they have a self-defense philosophy that matches what you are trying to achieve. Ask if they mind if you sit in on a class or two to get a feel for the program. Then ask whatever questions you want of the program and the instructor. Find out as much information as you can before you make a decision on your self-defense class.
* It’s not always about physical defense - You should find a course that offers you information on awareness of your surroundings, verbal confrontations, de-escalating a confrontation as well as physical techniques. The most successful self-defense classes for the average person encompass several different areas, and do not focus solely on physical defense.
* Get referrals - As with anything you are about to commit a significant amount of time and money into, you want to do as much research as you can. Talk to others who have taken self-defense classes and find out what they liked and what they didn’t like. You can also talk to your local YMCA or YWCA, local colleges, and the area rape crisis center. They will often run classes or be able to offer you the names of people who can provide solid self-defense skills.
Take your time to find the right self-defense class. Determine what your needs are, and then begin your search from there. Martial arts may be the right way for you to go, or you might just want an evening course over a couple night to help you lean to defend yourself.
Any course you take should provide you with more than just a physical way out of a situation. Most courses will teach you how to recognize a situation and react as quickly as possible to avoid any danger altogether. In doing this, it gives you a feeling of power and confidence when you have to wait at the bus stop - next time it might be alone. ================= Visit us for your FREE subscription to the about-self-defense newsletter where you will get great information on various styles, weapons, classes, and self defense books and videos. http://www.about-self-defense.com
About the Author
Rob Goyette created about-self-defense.com to help educate those who want to walk the streets with confidence knowing they can minimize chances of attack and injury. Sign up for your free newsletter here: http://www.about-self-defense.com

Tags: Wing Chun, Kung Fu, Las Vegas Kung Fu School, Las Vegas Wing Chun School, Lo Man Kam, Lo Man Kam Wing Chun, Martial Arts Self Defense

Continued from part one.

WHERE are you at when attempting to kick?

Where you are at has a tremendous bearing on your ability to use your kicks effectively. For example; are you in a crowded bar, on a sandy beach, an ice covered sidewalk, a grassy hill, in a gravel covered parking lot, or how about an open area free of obstructions? Each one of these places has special characteristics that need to be taken into consideration when deciding whether or not to kick. Does the crowded bar offer you a large obstacle free area in which to execute your kicks, or is it full of obstacles including bystanders, chairs, tables, stools, slippery drink spilled hardwood floors, etc. Does the sandy beach, ice covered sidewalk, or the gravel parking lot offer the stable surface area needed to balance on one leg and kick? How about the grassy hill? Are you on the top of the hill kicking down, the bottom of the hill kicking up, or the side of the hill kicking to the side? Always remember that the environment that you are kicking in has a deciding factor on the effectiveness of your kicks.

WHEN are you attempting to use your kicks?

Are you using your kicks as an initial attack, or are you using them after you have already set-up and/or staggered your opponent with another technique or techniques? For the most part, I am a firm believer in setting up your kicks by utilizing hand techniques and/or stand-up grappling skills first, in order to keep your opponent off balance in order to increase the chances of landing an effective kick. Although there have been occasions where I have personally initiated a successful attack by using one of my kicks first, I would still prefer to utilize another technique or techniques prior to executing a kick.

A jab is generally considered the easiest and fastest punch in boxing. Why? Well, simply put the jab is closest to the opponent and is thrown with more speed than force behind it. This makes the jab a very effective punch for the purpose that it was intended. That is to keep the opponent at a distance, confuse him, and to set-up the more powerful right cross and the left hook that are sure to follow.

The same exact thing works with you kicks. Utilize the hands, which are generally faster and easier to use than the legs, to keep your opponent at a distance, confuse him, and to set-up the more powerful kicks. Just like in boxing.

WHY are you in a situation where you may have to kick, and WHY are you attempting to use your kicks?

Why are you in a situation where you have to consider defending yourself? Are you their because of no other option, or did you allow yourself to be put in this situation? It has been my experience that over 90% of all physical confrontations could be avoided if the individual first knew how to avoid them, and secondly, if the individual tried to avoid them. Depending on the circumstances, you should always try to avoid a confrontational situation if at all possible. However, there are times when it is either unavoidable, or a situation where you cannot avoid it. Remember the famous line from Bruce Lee s movie Enter the Dragon, My style is the art of fighting without fighting. Are these words to live by? You decide.

Why are you attempting to kick? Is there an opening that you can exploit, or are you trying to show off and impress somebody? Here is a saying that my father told me when I was younger, and I am sure a lot of fathers told their sons throughout the years. It goes something like this, Never carry a gun unless you intend to use it. Never pull that gun unless you intend to shoot it. Never point a gun at a man unless you intend to shoot him. And never, shoot a man unless you intend to kill him. The same can be said for you kicks!

And finally and perhaps most importantly, do you know HOW to correctly execute your kicks, and do you know HOW to correctly apply them?

These are perhaps the two most important factors that you need to consider when deciding whether or not to execute a kick in a self-defense situation. Do you truly know how to execute your kicks in order to make them the most efficient and effective kicks that you can? Do you know your kicks inside and out, forward and backward, upside down and right side up? Have you practiced those kicks thousands upon thousands of times correctly, under the watchful eye of a qualified and competent instructor? For the sake of argument let s say that you have. Now here is the rest of the how.

Do you know how to correctly apply them in a self-defense situation? The how encompasses all of the above mentioned items put together into one package. Along with the knowledge of what circumstances will best suit the use of your kicks. Would you try to kick my 7 basketball player in the head while he is standing in front of you? How about kicking the guy coming at you with a knife while you are standing on an icy sidewalk? How about you obnoxious brother-in-law at the family reunion? Remember, there is a time and place for everything, and that includes kicking.

So are the self-defense experts and others like them right? Well, the answer is yes, if you don t know what you are doing, and no, if you do know what you are doing. Can you achieve this ability overnight, of course not. Can you achieve this ability over a period of time, definitely! With time, patience, and proper practice, you can learn how to effectively utilize your kicking skills in a real life self-defense situation.

Shawn Kovacich is a high ranking black belt in both Karate and Tae Kwon Do. He is also a two-time world record holder for endurance high kicking as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. Shawn is the author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series and can be reached via his site at: www.KickingBooks.com

Tags: Wing Chun, Kung Fu, Las Vegas Kung Fu School, Las Vegas Wing Chun School, Lo Man Kam, Lo Man Kam Wing Chun, Martial Arts Self Defense

Pepper spray is the non lethal shot that can save your life. Pepper spray is an organic based chemical compound that irritates the eyes to cause tears and pain. It is an inflammatory agent which causes an immediate burning sensation and involuntary closing of the eyes. The active ingredient in pepper spray is capsaicin, a chemical derived from the fruit of plants in the Capsicum genus, including chilis. It’s most common use if for self defense, including defense against animals. It is highly effective against individuals whose pain awareness receptors are not functioning due to use of alcohol, drugs, or mental illness. The attacker will involuntarily move his hands to his face to rub his eyes allowing any weapon to be dropped or tossed aside. It will disable an attacker for around 30-45 minutes but causes no permanent damage. This allows you time to escape and call the police.
According to Department of Justice, FBI statistics for 2004 that year there were:
94,635 reported rapes, most in the midwest, most in July
401,326 rpbberies, most in the South, most on the street
854,911 incidents of aggravated assaults, again most in the South
38,000 car jackings, average per year
The outcome of an attack is usually decided within the first 8-10 seconds. Sometimes just the sight of the spray and the threat of its use can stop the altercation before it begins.
The strength of the pepper spray is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The original method was developed in 1912 by pharmacologist Wilbur Scoville. Today, the value is measured by a computerized method called High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The scale ranges from 0 for bell pepper to 5,000 units for a jalepeno to 15,000,000 units for pure capsaicin. Most sprays today contain 5-10% concentrations.
Unlike other weapons that require close proximity to the attacker, this spray will disable a subject from a range of 8-20 feet away minimizing your contact and risk.
Pepper sprays are available in many, many sizes and packaging has become very inventive. You can choose the usual keychain varieties in a oz to 4 oz size or the same type canister with an auto visor clip for easy accessibility. There are also unique designs such as one made to look like an everyday black pager (dual canister with twice the power of key ring sprays) or the new lipstick design in 4 colors with 20 half-second sprays with a range of 10 feet. If you have someone who walks regularly for exercise, choose the Hot Walkers, (2) 1 pound walking weights with built-in pepper spray and elastic hand straps for support. These also have a storage compartment for keys and money. For the businesswoman, choose the Pepper Pen which looks like any black writing pen. Or you may choose to wear your protection and pick the Stunning Ring Pepper Spray. This elegantly crafted ring plated in silver or gold is designed with a genuine black onyx stone. Designed to be worn on either hand on the first or second finger with the thumb accessible to operate the safety latch and trigger. Many of these products come with replaceable canisters. To see the full variety visit http://www.pepperspraystungunsandmore.com
Do not use pepper spray on an animal unless it is especially formulated for that use. Animal tear ducts are not the same as humans and aren’t affected by excess tearing formulas. Instead, animal solutions affect respiration and cause immediate dilation of the capillaries in the eyes resulting in temporary blindness. They have an effective range of up to 10 feet and can incapacitate an animal before it attacks.
Although there is no way of completely neutralizing pepper spray, the effects can be minimized. Capsicum is not soluble in water so dousing even with large quantities will offer little relief. It is soluble in fats and oil and mild detergent can be used to wash it off. A solution of milk, honey, mild detergent and baking soda will soothe the area and relieve the chemical burn.
Although not thought of as a usual type of gift, if you have someone who works late at night, is off at college, or travels a lot these items can say that you care about their safety. Like any weapon, these sprays should always be kept out of the reach of children and pets.

About The Author

Sandra Anness is co-founder of Pepper Spray, Stun Guns, and More. For more information please visit http://www.pepperspraystungunsandmore.com

Tags: Wing Chun, Kung Fu, Las Vegas Kung Fu School, Las Vegas Wing Chun School, Lo Man Kam, Lo Man Kam Wing Chun, Martial Arts Self Defense