The teaching of self-defense should be put in the context of martial art. It means that martial arts can be taught in a much broader sense with an in-depth understanding of every defensive and attack technique and their responses quickly. The theory behind each technique should be taught first in a self-defense class, aiming at its purpose, manner, timing, and effective execution. The theoretical perspective should also be given for each self-defensive technique before its application. The techniques should then be taught to cover the broadest possible range of scenarios and their effectiveness against each other.
The applications should also be taught in a manner and progression from one-step sparring towards two-step sparring and then three-step sparring and pre-arranged sparring situations. These sparring sessions would explain the possible scenarios and situations where a girl or a boy can defend themselves. The use of self-defense techniques in a free-sparring situation will test a student’s knowledge and ability to effectively adapt which technique as per the situation and how well they can practice it efficiently.
In brief, applying the principles and techniques of martial arts and the methods used in the teaching of self-defense can increase its effectiveness against an attacker.
Importance of Learning Self-defense
Learning self-defense is now considered extremely important in today’s times, where there have been reports of violence against people of different religions, caste, color, racism, or ethnicity. There has been an increase in aggravated assaults, and it is known that one aggravated assault happens after every 34 seconds. There has been an increase in violent crimes, where every violent crime occurs every 22 seconds. Other crimes include murder, forceful rape, sexual assault, and much more.
If a woman fights back with some basic self-defense training, then there are 86% chance of avoiding the rape. Statistics can differ, but the facts speak for themselves, and they all say the same thing: we need to be proactive in becoming educated about how to defend ourselves and learn self-defense. By learning and training in self-defense classes, we can prevent any form of violent behavior or aggression against us.
Benefits of Self-Defense Training
Learning self-defense can help families become closer to each other through physical and emotional interaction. They would learn how to deal with conflict through the basic training of self-defense techniques and effectively execute them in a confrontation.
It would also help people to develop a greater sense of balance and fine motor skills. It would also help them increase their self-confidence and self-control in all areas of life and not just in a violent situation. They would have better reflexes, thinking, and analyzing the ability to judge a situation before turning out to be violent or aggressive. It would also create a new level of respect for those who would excel in the art of self-defense.
Learning self-defense would also provide you with energy, stress relief, and controlling your anger through physical training. It also develops assertiveness while reducing aggressiveness. It increases your awareness levels of the benefits of a healthy and fit lifestyle. Your body will also become more fit and toned to control your weight while applying self-defensive techniques.
Mental and Emotional Benefits of Self-defense
Learning the art of self-defense does not only provides physical advantages. It also helps promote a higher level of mental assertiveness, which means that you would become more self-aware about yourself what is happening around you. You would be able to determine your emotional state and the emotional state of those with whom you interact.
Self-defense will help you be aware of your surroundings, increasing your physical awareness in everyday work, social situations, and interactions. Research has shown that learning self-defense enhances patient control, and focus and enables you to take control of your emotional well-being. It teaches you how to recognize, handle and manage fear in all aspects of life. It develops the most potent weapon available to humankind, which is intelligence.
By learning the art of self-defense, you would know how to analyze a situation before it happens. You would determine the possible outcomes of the situation by choosing what you should do and how you should protect and defend yourself. In short, it teaches you to be able to make quick decisions and become more intelligent.
Author bio
Dr. Jim Bentley a martial arts instructor. He is also the author of WING CHUN The Evolutionary Science of Self-Defense, Combat, and Human Performance. In addition, Dr. Bentley has written many blogs on the importance of self-defense techniques, tactical efficiency, principles of Wing Chun, and how they could be used in the face of danger. Dr. Bentley also provides certification programs through his website BeachTownAthleticClub.com. As a doctor, he provides care for many legendary martial artists and current MMA fighters like Erik Paulson, Curtis Millender, and Pearl Gonzalez. With his acclaimed healing methods, and martial arts curriculums he wants to spread his message to the people that the science, art, and philosophy of martial arts is truly a way of life. To learn more about Dr. Bentley please visit DrJimBentley.com.
