Self defence classes

[Shodan]

This is by way of being a bit of an opinion poll really, I'd appreciate all views!

I am thinking of setting up self defence classes for women. They will be designed specifically for women, tested by me and other women of all shapes and sizes, on men of all shapes and sizes. They will be heavily karate based, as that is my specialist area, but won't require the intricacies of kata etc. I plan to include other self-defence moves from other disciplines ( I have contacts in several other martial arts) and also some moves from general self-defence areas.

I know there are many self-defence options out there, but my research indicates (especially in my area and the ones around me) that they are all taught by men, which sometimes assumes a certain physicality that women don't necessarily have. They also don't take into account the clothes that women may wear, on a night out for instance. I intend to offer self-defence moves that can be accomplished within limiting clothing (high heels, tight skirts etc).

What do you think? If a self-defence class was being taught by a woman, would you be more, or less, inclined to sign up? Is there anything I should be including that I haven't already thought of? Is it a bad idea all round?

I did a course at uni. Taught by men from a local dojo who were the funniest nicest guys ever!

We did get shown some moves, how to get out of a grab, how to fall correctly (if possible). But the main take away and I think most useful was

Run as fast as you can and get away
Stamp their foot and knee their balls with furious intensity

So it wasn’t about learning any “moves” that would outmanoeuvre them or overpower them. It was about reacting fast and giving yourself even a split second of time to run run run.

What was interesting about the men was that it was realistic. So when one of them grabbed me with force it really hit home how helpless I would in reality be.

So, being taught by a woman might put me off. I might not think you’d teach me the skills I needed.

I see that @Atalune. Why would you think that I might not be able to teach those skills, as a woman?

I'm interested to hear that one of the things you took away from your course was to knee men in the balls. I have 2 problems with this- 1) Men are VERY protective of that area and 2) it's actually quite hard to get a knee in there even wearing flexible clothing, and nigh on impossible if you're wearing a tight skirt, or even high heels.

Part of my plan is actually to have some men (willing volunteers, obviously!) to come in near the end of the course so that my students could practice on them.

The first rule of any self-defence art is to remove yourself from the situation as fast as possible. I don't plan to teach elongated bouts of sparring- most women would come off worse in that scenario. As you say, react and run is the main thing to get across.

If it brings out women who are uncomfortable training with men then that has got to be a good thing.

Although as a pp said - having to spar with an actual male brings home how much harder and intensely you need to fight. Perhaps consider female only and offer occasional sessions with male instructors for those who would like a more realistic experience.

I attended some courses like this run by a female karate teacher. They were fantastic and really boosted my confidence at a time when I'd got quite anxious. Think everyone should attend one if they possibly can. I know there's an argument that if people were less violent there wouldn't be a need blah blah but really you never know when something could happen

Perhaps consider female only and offer occasional sessions with male instructors for those who would like a more realistic experience

I do have several male instructor friends I can call on, and could certainly offer those as an occasional change of pace, if they were wanted. Those same men have already volunteered to come in and be practiced on, and would offer advice/guidance if needed- would that suffice, do you think?

If it brings out women who are uncomfortable training with men then that has got to be a good thing

This is something I've felt quite strongly about for some time. My senior instructor, who is also a police officer, has suggested having information about refuges etc nearby, to be given discreetly should it be desired. There's also a religious element involved.

I know there's an argument that if people were less violent there wouldn't be a need blah blah but really you never know when something could happen

It's also about confidence. I've found that karate has made me more confident in many areas, not least of which is feeling more assertive when feeling I'm being harassed in pubs/clubs and so on. TBH, if I'd been doing karate in my younger days, those men who saw fit to grope me when I was minding my own business might have had some stronger reaction to their shenanigans!

I do martial arts but I really dislike being paired up with males for certain things (grappling etc) so I would welcome a women's only class.

A good idea as martial arts build confidence as well as teaching self defence.

I must admit I have an illegal weapon, a dog knuckle duster.

I used to have an illegal mace spray but the key chain is better as it can be held discreetly rather than fumbling around in a bag or pocket for the spray.

The keychain is also great for holding and not dropping keys!

I'd jump at this.
I wouldn't want to be in close contact with men now. I did a women's self-defence class through work at the time and remember one of the tutors simulating attempted rape, as Atalune says it is terrifying to realise how helpless you really would be and I left feeling very uncomfortable. Unlike her that put me off sparring with men. I did jujitsu briefly and likewise 5ft0 plump beginner me could be paired with a black belt male to spar, in front of the senseis, it was all so self-important, I was told not to smoke or laugh and wasn't cool and ripped enough for them.
There are many reasons women may not want to practice with men, cultural, past trauma (I haven't had anything 'that bad' happen but can imagine women who have been abused or attacked previously wouldn't want to do something that could bring memories of that back).
I really struggle with how to translate skills learned in a safe classroom environment to the reality of a situation - it just goes for me, similar to a driving test etc- I have dyspraxia but anyone would struggle to summon how to get out of a hold at exactly the right angle when adr

posted by accident.
adrenaline is flowing. Let alone some complicated martial arts move. I was assaulted three times after doing the classes I mentioned, no help at all tbh.
Women are so conditioned to be nice, not hurt others etc.
Men will target women who are vulnerable in some way- drunk, ill, disabled, short etc.
I feel totally helpless and powerless tbh
The key is assertiveness and confidence, to look fuck-off so that you don't get targeted. I have zero of both.
I would as I said jump at a class that even somewhat addressed all of this.

Smile, not smoke obviously that won't help

Is there anyone you know with and police or legal training to go over self-defence laws with the participants? I know a lot of women, whether they have the physical abilities or not, who won't fight back for fear of getting into some kind of legal trouble.

Good point Emily - as I said, women are so taught to be nice and judged harshly if we are not. I have been assaulted by males many times. None of them got into trouble. I have been demonised for far less. I can't cope with this, flashbacks

I also agree with everything Broken11Girl has posted. When I was competing in a fighting sport, trouble totally passed me by. It sounds very woo-woo but these people know how to spot vulnerabilty, and they don't want a more difficult target than they have too have.

Cross-post! You poor thing, have some and . You're welcome to PM me if you need to talk.They shouldn't get away with it, but they usually do.

Thanks Emily exactly. Anyway. Sorry, thread is not about me.

X-post too, thanks

@Broken11Girl I'm so sorry, you've had a truly horrible time.

Women are so conditioned to be nice, not hurt others etc. This is one of the things that I want to address in the training- too many women have gone along with things they feel uncomfortable with, that have hurt them, simply because we were told not to be 'rude' or told to be 'gentle'.

I agree about being unable to employ a complicated martial arts move too. My senior instructor, while great in many ways, is 6 foot 2 with hands that are twice the size of mine. There's no way I could do some of the moves he teaches, simply because my hands couldn't grip the way his can. Simple strikes, blocks and so on, taking advantage of the smallness (comparatively) of womens' hands are what I'm looking at. The use of 'tools' we might already have on us- sharp nails, keys, bags, spike heels- these will be utilised somehow too. Some grappling, in a sense, to get out of holds, is necessary I think, but nothing complicated.

I think that knowing you can do something will help to stop women freezing in fear, which is a major issue.

Is there anyone you know with and police or legal training to go over self-defence laws with the participants?

Yes, luckily two of my senior instructors are serving police officers. If the women in the group are comfortable with their presence, they are willing to come and give advice on this.

I would be interested in this kind of class led by a woman. Definitely a plus for me. I would feel more comfortable and that they would understand what I wanted to guard against.

that they would understand what I wanted to guard against.

This is a big part of it, for me. Men, no matter how empathic, can't, imo, fully understand how women feel about being attacked/the fear of being attacked.

Thank you all so much for your comments! I shall press on with my plans.

I think you’ve clearly given this a lot of thought and I’m certain your classes would be really good.

Best of luck.

I think this sounds a wonderful idea and you seem to have covered your bases. Press on with the plans and thank you for focusing the lens on more about women's safety rather than general health/self-defence. I'd say we need more things like this!