BBW/SSBBW self defense...

[tonynyc]

Shihan Roy Richmond

Shihan Roy Richmond has been teaching martial arts over 30 years.
5th degree Tae Kwon Do
3rd degree (WTF) World Tae Kwon Do Federation
1st degree Sanuces Ryu Jiu Jitsu

Shatters the myth that you only see SSBHM in Sumo or ProWrestling

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Youtube clips of Shihan Richmond doing Cane Defense


Shihan Richmond-Cane Defense Photo Intro

Shihan Richmond-Short Clip Cane Defense 1

Shihan Richmond-Short Clip Cane Defense 2

Shihan Richmond-Short Clip Controller Method

Shihan Richmond-Self Defense Sitting Down

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Shihan Roy Richmond - OH DO KWON Website

Shihan Roy Richmond- OH DO KWON

[tonynyc]

these ladies are kickass for sure

Ladies Self Defense with Bob Gregory

This is a pretty funny clip - can you see a gorgeous BBW doing these moves

Old School Ju-Jitsu

[phoaglan]

Originally Posted by LillyBBBW

I'm good for stopping right where I am and rummaging in my bag for imaginary keys/bus pass/cigarettes (even though I don't smoke) just to let the guy following me pass me if I'm nervous. I'll turn around on one foot and go back, act like I left something behind and leave him to move on someplace else. No one has ever followed me back. If a suspicious person approaches me and begins to step across that invisible threshold of personal space, straightening up and using a loud assertive voice will do. "Yo man, get up off me! You don't know me like that!" So far that has been all that's necessary. Nobody likes a scene and everybody likes to watch a fight so this kind of confrontation attracts attention immediately. It has never gone beyond any of these snenarios. *knocks on wood*

Playing a tape of a Sarah Palin interview would also be a deterrent.

[tonynyc]

Originally Posted by phoaglan

Playing a tape of a Sarah Palin interview would also be a deterrent.

I found the Turkey Interview a real deterrent.

[olwen]

Originally Posted by tonynyc

these ladies are kickass for sure

Ladies Self Defense with Bob Gregory

This is a pretty funny clip - can you see a gorgeous BBW doing these moves

Old School Ju-Jitsu

I couldn't do some of those moves. Dropping to the floor with bad knees? Not likely. Plus my stomach would get in the way of bringing my leg up fast enough to flip the guy over once down. Looks like ju jitsu would only work for a small enough bbw who could get into those positions quickly and without too much effort. Still, I'd be willing to learn some of that stuff just to see where my boundaries are.

[tonynyc]

Originally Posted by olwen

I couldn't do some of those moves. Dropping to the floor with bad knees? Not likely. Plus my stomach would get in the way of bringing my leg up fast enough to flip the guy over once down. Looks like ju jitsu would only work for a small enough bbw who could get into those positions quickly and without too much effort. Still, I'd be willing to learn some of that stuff just to see where my boundaries are.

Hi Olwen: I was only showing the clips as some of them are pretty comical and yes - dropping on a street floor (not too practical). There are ju jitsu practioners that are large (see previous thread on Shihan Richmond- well he's an exception being a SSBHM and despite what may appear to be limited mobility ) are able to defend himself.

I'm hoping that some Dimmers who practice Hapkido could say a work or two about using the Walking Cane for Self Defense. I'll see what more things I can come up with as well as other more realistic self defense clips and scenarios and of ocurse what others are happy to share

[olwen]

Originally Posted by tonynyc

Hi Olwen: I was only showing the clips as some of them are pretty comical and yes - dropping on a street floor (not too practical). There are ju jitsu practioners that are large (see previous thread on Shihan Richmond- well he's an exception being a SSBHM and despite what may appear to be limited mobility ) are able to defend himself.

I'm hoping that some Dimmers who practice Hapkido could say a work or two about using the Walking Cane for Self Defense. I'll see what more things I can come up with as well as other more realistic self defense clips and scenarios and of ocurse what others are happy to share

Ooooh. Well then yes, those clips were funny in a weird sort of way.

...well now I wonder if faking a heart attack would scare an attacker off...

[tonynyc]

Originally Posted by olwen

...well now I wonder if faking a heart attack would scare an attacker off...

Nice tip Olwen - that is another great tactic

How to Avoid Being Mugged


Maybe you think a mugging will never happen to you. Chances are the people you read about today in the newspaper who were mugged didn't think it would happen to them either.

Muggings are usually crimes of opportunity. The mugger looks for likely victims based on how easy a target they will be and how much money they expect to get from the victim.


What can you do to reduce your chance of being mugged?

Here are some tips:

1. Walk with one or more people. Muggers are much less likely to take on more than one person. This goes back to how easy they view the target. The addition of even one additional person introduces an unknown into the equation. The mugger will have to divide his attention and therefore may be vulnerable to a counterattack.

2. Stay in well lit and well traveled areas. If you are not familiar with the area ask someone to tell you the areas you should stay away from. If you are staying in a hotel, ask the concierge to show you on the map a safe route for walking.

3. Don't walk like a victim. Most convicted felons say that they can pick out a victim by their posture and the way they walk. Don't stoop over while you walk. Square your shoulders and walk briskly. Keep your head up and be alert to your surroundings. Imagine you just won an Olympic Gold Metal and you are walking up to the dais to accept your medal.

4. Take a cell phone with you and have it handy. If you suspect something is going to happen predial 911 on the phone and keep your finger on the send button.

5. If someone is approaching you from your front, make sure you look around to see if his friends are coming up behind you. Since most muggers are cowards, they may feel they need overwhelming odds to complete their crime.

6. Always be aware of exit lanes that you can take to get away from the situation. Head for the center of activity. Do not run into the woods unless it is the only option available.

7. Make noise, make lots of noise. The mugger doesn't want attention and noise may cause him to give up on you and pick a better target.

8. If it is legal in the area you might consider carrying a stun gun, pepper spray or a TASER in your pocket or purse. These items may not prevent someone from accosting you but they will likely increase your chances of coming out of the situation unhurt.

9. The most effective of the three is the TASER. It allows you to stop the mugger before he gets his hands on you. You can use the TASER up to 15 feet away and neutralize the threat long enough to get away.

10. Pepper Spray has to be used at a much shorter distance. The spray is effective at changing the muggers mind from hurting you. It will inflame his skin and close his eyes so he will have difficulty even seeing you. You spray it directly into the face and eyes of the attacker and don't stop spraying until he stops what he is doing.

11. A stun gun requires you to touch the mugger with it. Similar to the TASER it uses electrical pulses that can effectively stun the person so again you will have time to get away. On both the TASER and Stun Gun the current will not pass through the mugger into you even if you are touching them will using them.

12. Don't fight over the money in your wallet or purse. Money can be replaced but your life can't. It's better to give them your money and live than to leave your family without a mother or father.

13. As a last ditch tactic fall down and (noisily) fake a heart attack. Most felons are experts on the law and they will realize that if someone dies while they are mugging them they could be charged with murder.

14. My martial arts teacher once told me a story about a time he was in a seedy bar and it looked like the patrons were going to rob him. He discreetly went into the bathroom and put his money in his sock. When he came out of the bathroom he tried to borrow money from everyone in the bar. Since everyone knew he had no money he was able to walk out of the bar without a scratch.

Tom Miller

Source:

TAMCO Enterprises

[tonynyc]

Another nice clip on personal awareness by Sifu Fred Mastison & Teresa Mastison. Enjoy... Will post other clips later

================================================== ======
Self Defense Awareness

Personal Space

Emergency Action Plan

[tonynyc]

BUMP
---------
I remember reading an article in the May/June 2009 issue of AARP on "Canemasters" and using the Cane for self defense - here are so more thoughts on this issue from another source.


Many of these techniques can be useful for all folks -plus for those in the Atlanta area there are free Self Defense classes "Prince Karate Academy" (see end of Article).

===========
Senior citizens learn to stick up for selves
Self-defense classes provide exercise and build confidence. At the heart of it is the safety factor.
By Elsa K. Simcik

For the Journal-Constitution

Monday, April 27, 2009

Two years ago as she walked to her car in a grocery store parking lot, Bernestene Betterson saw a man following her. As she approached her vehicle and the man got closer, “I clapped my hands on his ears and pulled his head down on the trunk of my car,” said Betterson, 73, of Lithonia. Passers-by came to her aid, but in the end, it was the would-be attacker who was begging for help.

Betterson credits her quick reflexes to self-defense class. She’s been taking the course through the Lou Walker Senior Center in Lithonia for about two and a half years. Her teacher, Sensei Frank Crawford, owner of Life Martial Arts, said his class is a mix of fitness (things such as push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks) and self-defense.

During the self-defense portion, Crawford said the senior citizens “learn how to deal with people —- with gang members, with youth. Most of [the seniors] are extremely fast and strong; a lot of them can deliver a good kick to the head. They basically learn how to use different parts of their bodies as basic weapons.”

He said that while some do push-ups on their knees or make modifications because of a disability, for the most part they can do anything that younger folks can do —- sometimes more.

“This was the thing that they told me to promise them,” Crawford said. “Whatever I teach them, teach them and grade them just like I would someone else.”

Crime a concern

“Now we hear more and more about seniors being attacked in parking lots and other areas where they are victims of petty theft,” said Suzanne Economopoulos, director of the Center for Positive Aging (www.centerforpositiveaging.org), a non-profit organization specializing in connecting seniors to area resources. “They become an easy target because they may not be aware of the threat and because they may seem fragile.

“Many lower income seniors … live in areas where crime is increasing,” Economopoulos said. “In some cases, they are unable to make changes to their homes that would make them safer —- such as alarms systems and better locks —- because of finances,” she said.

Economopoulos said that she’s been getting a lot of inquiries about cane classes, where seniors learn how to use canes as weapons.

While her organization doesn’t currently offer the classes, the Cane Masters Association has a DVD at www.canemasters.com.

Cane Masters founder Mark Shuey calls his class Cane-Fu. His company sells canes made of harder, thicker wood and with wider crooks to fit around an attackers neck.

“Cane fighting may be trendy, but it’s also a useful skill,” said Leslie Quander Wooldridge, associate editor of AARP The Magazine. “Older adults who learn self-defense techniques can be better prepared for emergency situations, and they also may receive a confidence boost from knowing that they’re physically strong.”

Wooldridge said that because cane fighting and other self-defense classes include an exercise component, “instruction can have some real physical benefits.”

Confidence-builder

Gloria Sugars and Herbert Fox, a married couple who live in Smoke Rise, have been taking Crawford’s class for three years. The two have even gone beyond self-defense and now also practice taekwondo. They say the biggest thing they’ve gotten out of the class is confidence —- a trait that was put to the test during a confrontation at Hartsfield-Jackson airport.

“Some unruly individual decided he needed to knock a lot of people aside to get to the turnstile to pick up his bag,” said Fox, 67. “He did it to me also, and I didn’t appreciate it, so I pushed him aside. He started to get belligerent about it and I calmly stood there.”

Sugars, 61, added, “I said, ‘Sir, you do not want to do this.’ He saw that we didn’t seem to be afraid of him. So he decided to walk away.”

In addition to the confidence, Fox said, “You build stability, strength, endurance and balance.”

Betterson said of the class, “It teaches you to be aware of your surroundings —- certain ways to shake a hand, certain ways to look out for things, certain ways to be prepared.” And while the man she encountered in the parking lot later claimed he was “just playing,” Betterson is glad she was able to protect herself. She may have even helped to prevent future assaults from the same man. “He’ll never do that again!” she said.

Stay Safe Tips

Tony Aderhold, a crime prevention specialist and senior instructor at the Fulton County Police Academy, shares his favorite lessons in avoiding assaults and fighting back

> Instead of carrying a purse, put your ID and money in your pocket.

> If you have to carry a purse, don’t carry anything that you’re not willing to part with. If the person grabs the purse, let them have it.

> Go in the buddy system; shop with neighbors or friends.

> When someone asks “What time is it?” instead of dropping your head and looking at your wrist, “I teach them to hold their wrist up and keep your eye on that person,” Aderhold said.

> If you get in a situation and you have to hit the person, don’t necessarily kick below the belt. “Any man over 5 years old knows that’s what you’re gonna go for,” Aderhold said. “I show them how to do a palm strike. Strike with the base of your hand, fingers curled down.”

> Use verbal commands. Aderhold recommends shouting, “Stop. Leave me alone! Get away from me!” He said this not only draws attention, but it forces you to breathe.

> Replace pepper spray after a year. Instead of attaching it to your key chain, use a coil that you wear around your wrist. It will be easier to access if someone approaches you while you’re unlocking your door.

> Want some free hands-on self-defense training? Prince Karate Academy is holding a women’s self-defense seminar Saturday at 10 a.m. 3830 Princeton Lakes Parkway, Suite 200, Atlanta. Prince Karate Academy

Source

Atlanta Journal Constitution

================================================== =====

CaneMasters





CaneMasters


CaneMasters International Association (800-422-2263)



CANEMASTER CHANNEL ON YOUTUBE


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ChosonNinja - YouTube Clips 2 of 5

*** you can check the other clips on Youtube.

Elder Cane Defense-1

Elder Cane Defense-2

[joswitch]

Heya! Wow! I have soooo much I want to contribute to this thread which I've been reading up on my phone over the weekend, but it's verrry late here, so just a brief one to start -

Tony - nice to see you namechecking Cane masters....

If you live anywhere where it rains much carrying a large umbrella particularly with a "golfing" spike puts an improvised "weapon" already in your hands - no fumbling for anythying in pockets etc!... what's more the sight of it = deterrent...
I carry a 'brolly pretty much everywhere (there's a salsa class in the arts centre where I have a studio- apparently some of the students and teachers refer to me as Senor Paraguas Negro - Mr Black Umbrella! lol!)

If you can afford it get one of these unbreakable umbrellas! -
http://www.real-self-defense.com/unb..._umbrella.html

Check out the guy smashing stuff with it!
one day - I'll have the spare cash to buy one! (and then I'll leave it on a train!)

[tonynyc]

Originally Posted by joswitch

Heya! Wow! I have soooo much I want to contribute to this thread which I've been reading up on my phone over the weekend, but it's verrry late here, so just a brief one to start -

Tony - nice to see you namechecking Cane masters....

If you live anywhere where it rains much carrying a large umbrella particularly with a "golfing" spike puts an improvised "weapon" already in your hands - no fumbling for anythying in pockets etc!... what's more the sight of it = deterrent...
I carry a 'brolly pretty much everywhere (there's a salsa class in the arts centre where I have a studio- apparently some of the students and teachers refer to me as Senor Paraguas Negro - Mr Black Umbrella! lol!)

If you can afford it get one of these unbreakable umbrellas! -
http://www.real-self-defense.com/unb..._umbrella.html

Check out the guy smashing stuff with it!
one day - I'll have the spare cash to buy one! (and then I'll leave it on a train!)

Joswitch:

I love the accent 'brolly

I like the unbreakable umbrella - the only downside is the cost which is fairly
and the fact that one could easily forget it on the subway. But, very nice site overall and yes definitely share and add your thoughts as well....

[Gingembre]

Originally Posted by joswitch

I carry a 'brolly pretty much everywhere (there's a salsa class in the arts centre where I have a studio- apparently some of the students and teachers refer to me as Senor Paraguas Negro - Mr Black Umbrella! lol!

Ah ha ha - "the fighty stick"

[joswitch]

Originally Posted by olwen

Just a weird anecdote:

Last week I had just said goodbye to my male friend after hanging out and went on my way to the bus stop. I was on a busy street around 11pm and I had that tingly hairs on the back of my neck feeling (like I felt like I'd never walked on that street before and I work in the area so it's a familiar street and shouldn't feel strange) but I just dismissed it and kept walking. I go to cross the street and four guys came up behind me and started doing...I don't know it was weird, one of them was in my face and the other one was trying to rub his ass against me. I'm sure they were all drunk too since they were also trying to hurl insults at me in some thick accent I could barely make out...anyway, I tried to move away and they followed me. I was starting to freak out a little, but I tried not to show it tho and I remembered about the vocalizations so I turned around to face all of them and started hurling insults at the one who had his hand on his dick. They were all so surprised I said anything that they all took a step back and just looked at me, so I took that moment to run across the street as fast as I could before the light changed again, and luckily a bus was pulling up to the curb and I just got on it. I didn't even care which one it was I just got on it and when I sat down I was shaking.

I've been half wondering ever since then what would have happened if I hadn't opened my mouth and said something. Needless to say, I'm glad I spoke up cause it worked.

Hey Olwen - just to say I'm glad you got away safe and sound and kudos to ya for defending yourself - your story exemplifies the "distract and escape" principle - which is very, very useful... and as you say shows the power of the VOICE - all animals including humans are startled by sudden loud noises and that's something to exploit in protecting yourself...

Another point - you mention "that tingly hairs on the back of my neck feeling" i.e. your peripheral senses and subconcious kicking in and saying "Hey! something's wrong!" I can't emphasise strongly enough how useful that "spider sense" can be - it's stood me in good stead many a time... (please do not think I am in any way criticizing you for ignoring it that time, I'm totally not!)... now you know what it feels like - it's so useful to watch out for it, and let your awareness provide you an early warning that you can act on - often by simple, unhurried "evasive" action before anyone gets close to you...

[joswitch]

Originally Posted by Gingembre

Ah ha ha - "the fighty stick"

Lolz! You found me!

[joswitch]

Another useful tip - carry a decoy wallet - with enough cash money in it and a few of those fake credit cards that come in your junk mail - if confronted by a mugger(s) you don't feel confident that you can immediately escape from/fight you have the option of throwing it at their feet/into their face/ to some distance away... odds are they'll go pick it up, that distraction provides your opportunity to fight back / shout for help / get away / all three...

[joswitch]

This next bit is also useful - if your assailant is already close to you - especially for big people, because it does not involve any acrobatics at all! even less than a knee in the groin (which a lot of men have an inbuilt "radar protection" for anyway)... and it tends to be unexpected too! Feel free to throw in loud screams/shouts at all points!

From both ninjutsu and Fairburns "Get Tough":
1 - STAMP on your assailants foot - not just the toe - the instep... you'll probably break it...
2- your foot stays down trapping their foot - now PUSH them over (it's real hard to stay stood with one foot that won't move) if their foot wasn't broken already you'll probably rip/tear/break their foot and/or ankle with this....
3- optional - if you can STAMP again on a body part WITHOUT BEING GRABBED, do so...
4- now GET AWAY
with your assailant downed with a broken/sprained foot and/or ankle even if you can't run at all, you'll have a head start and a likely speed advantage to get away safely!

[tonynyc]

Originally Posted by joswitch

This next bit is also useful - if your assailant is already close to you - especially for big people, because it does not involve any acrobatics at all! even less than a knee in the groin (which a lot of men have an inbuilt "radar protection" for anyway)... and it tends to be unexpected too! Feel free to throw in loud screams/shouts at all points!

From both ninjutsu and Fairburns "Get Tough":
1 - STAMP on your assailants foot - not just the toe - the instep... you'll probably break it...
2- your foot stays down trapping their foot - now PUSH them over (it's real hard to stay stood with one foot that won't move) if their foot wasn't broken already you'll probably rip/tear/break their foot and/or ankle with this....
3- optional - if you can STAMP again on a body part WITHOUT BEING GRABBED, do so...
4- now GET AWAY
with your assailant downed with a broken/sprained foot and/or ankle even if you can't run at all, you'll have a head start and a likely speed advantage to get away safely!

Joswitch: have you checked out Fairbairn's system "Defendu" here are some links below on a true legend of Combat Judo.

Some Interesting Links

William Ewart Fairbairn

Defendu

[olwen]

Originally Posted by joswitch

Hey Olwen - just to say I'm glad you got away safe and sound and kudos to ya for defending yourself - your story exemplifies the "distract and escape" principle - which is very, very useful... and as you say shows the power of the VOICE - all animals including humans are startled by sudden loud noises and that's something to exploit in protecting yourself...

Another point - you mention "that tingly hairs on the back of my neck feeling" i.e. your peripheral senses and subconcious kicking in and saying "Hey! something's wrong!" I can't emphasise strongly enough how useful that "spider sense" can be - it's stood me in good stead many a time... (please do not think I am in any way criticizing you for ignoring it that time, I'm totally not!)... now you know what it feels like - it's so useful to watch out for it, and let your awareness provide you an early warning that you can act on - often by simple, unhurried "evasive" action before anyone gets close to you...

Thanks Joe. Yes, now that I know what it feels like you better believe I will never ignore it again.

All your other tips are good.

I read something recently (I can't remember where otherwise I'd link it) about how the most common time for homicides are during the summer on the weekends at 10pm, or rather, the hottest days of the year at night. So if it's hot and it's after 10pm, everyone should be extra careful.

[tonynyc]

Originally Posted by olwen

Thanks Joe. Yes, now that I know what it feels like you better believe I will never ignore it again.

All your other tips are good.

I read something recently (I can't remember where otherwise I'd link it) about how the most common time for homicides are during the summer on the weekends at 10pm, or rather, the hottest days of the year at night. So if it's hot and it's after 10pm, everyone should be extra careful.

Good Tip Olwen:
Something about the summer just brings out the nastiness is some folks (this can happen when you have one of those heat waves).

[StarWitness]

Originally Posted by olwen

I read something recently (I can't remember where otherwise I'd link it) about how the most common time for homicides are during the summer on the weekends at 10pm, or rather, the hottest days of the year at night. So if it's hot and it's after 10pm, everyone should be extra careful.

I believe it. The volunteer coordinator from the Women's Center I used to volunteer with said that August was their busiest month in terms of reported sexual assaults.

I've been thinking about starting aikido classes-- I'd love to take krav maga, but there's nobody around here who teaches it, unfortunately-- my one concern is getting hurt during practice, as I don't currently have health insurance. I'm not in great shape-- although I do okay for my size-- but I've heard that people of all fitness levels can learn aikido. And it's so graceful! I want to wear swishy pants and flip motherfuckers left and right.

[tonynyc]

Originally Posted by StarWitness

I believe it. The volunteer coordinator from the Women's Center I used to volunteer with said that August was their busiest month in terms of reported sexual assaults.

I've been thinking about starting aikido classes-- I'd love to take krav maga, but there's nobody around here who teaches it, unfortunately-- my one concern is getting hurt during practice, as I don't currently have health insurance. I'm not in great shape-- although I do okay for my size-- but I've heard that people of all fitness levels can learn aikido. And it's so graceful! I want to wear swishy pants and flip motherfuckers left and right.

Hi StarWitness:

I think "The chance of getting hurt" that's one of the factor that does come to play in any self defense type of training - depending on the school or system there is a chance of getting hurt in practice. You have to see how you react to getting hit for the first time (not an easy thing-but you adapt). Better in a studio than out in the streets where there is no second chance.

Regardless of size - one can learn any "Art" - you adapt the "Art" to you.

I guess with each "art" it really depends what folks are looking for (self defense- sports- meditation etc.)- what works for them and how practical a certain technique is to a given situation. You expand your knowledge and read up on several systems to see which works for you.

I've seen some stuff on "Expert Village" on Youtube as well as other clips that you just have to laugh and say "WTF" were they thinking about. You have some folks out there touting really questionable techniques.

If you are looking for a more relaxed form (Tai Chi) is excellent (I understand does have some self defense techniques there as well- but, the "trick" is finding the instructor that teaches this aspect of the art).

Now as far as getting into shape (it's a must) - the worse scenario that you want to find yourself in is "heaven forbid"... you have to defend yourself - you run out of gas. That's not to say that you go out tommorrow and run a marathon; but, you gradually build yourself up.

There are a few threads on the Health Board on Exercises ideas and One sticky which several folks have commented on their "Daily Workout" Journal. Check them out.

Another nice thing about this thread is that you will see that we have many MA fans in Dims of all different styles.

[olwen]

Originally Posted by StarWitness

I believe it. The volunteer coordinator from the Women's Center I used to volunteer with said that August was their busiest month in terms of reported sexual assaults.

I've been thinking about starting aikido classes-- I'd love to take krav maga, but there's nobody around here who teaches it, unfortunately-- my one concern is getting hurt during practice, as I don't currently have health insurance. I'm not in great shape-- although I do okay for my size-- but I've heard that people of all fitness levels can learn aikido. And it's so graceful! I want to wear swishy pants and flip motherfuckers left and right.

Lots of martial arts classes start with tons and tons of basic drills. I doubt you'd get hurt punching and kicking the air over and over again. Seriously, those damn drills are BORING, but I get bored easily. It would take a few classes before you worked up to sparring, and by then you should in theory be conditioned just enough to handle the blows. Plus Tony's advice is as always, excellent. You just need to find the right class. I say go for it.

[tonynyc]

Originally Posted by olwen

Lots of martial arts classes start with tons and tons of basic drills. I doubt you'd get hurt punching and kicking the air over and over again. Seriously, those damn drills are BORING, but I get bored easily. It would take a few classes before you worked up to sparring, and by then you should in theory be conditioned just enough to handle the blows. Plus Tony's advice is as always, excellent. You just need to find the right class. I say go for it.

Olwen:

I agree with your points and along those lines...

Well the only time one can get hurt doing punching or kicking drills is if one's technique is off and then you have the chance of injury.

Repetition is important -but, you do it to the point that the mechanics are sound and the reflexes become second nature. In Sparring and being able to take blows and then react- it's pretty much of an individual thing. Also, repetition in that helps as well.

Finding the right school and system is a journey - all depends what one is really searching for.

More knowledge one obtains the better it makes you ...

[joswitch]

Originally Posted by StarWitness

I believe it. The volunteer coordinator from the Women's Center I used to volunteer with said that August was their busiest month in terms of reported sexual assaults.

I've been thinking about starting aikido classes-- I'd love to take krav maga, but there's nobody around here who teaches it, unfortunately-- my one concern is getting hurt during practice, as I don't currently have health insurance. I'm not in great shape-- although I do okay for my size-- but I've heard that people of all fitness levels can learn aikido. And it's so graceful! I want to wear swishy pants and flip motherfuckers left and right.

Aikido is strongly related to ninjutsu / taijutsu (which I've done), but with the nasty strikes taken out and the throws are modified so as to be less destructive... It's an awesome martial art and I highly recommend it.. It's all about body movement/mechanics and balance... If you're heavier you may actually find that to be an advantage in some instances...