FIRST INDIAN SITE DEVOTED TO SHEER SELF DEFENCE AN ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are currently training, ask yourself some questions Don't worry, you won't be graded:
Do you use protective gear?
Do you practice blocking your opponents attack?
Is your training confined by rules and time limits?
Are you training Situation-Specific Scenarios? Example: "If he does this, then you do that."
Do you ask Your self the "What if he does this..." question?
Do You Spend time striking the Air? Do you consider every type Environment? Example: Street, Snow, Parking lot, Sand, Mud, Your Kitchen, etc.
Do you wait for your training partner to attack Before You Counter attack?
Is your Health Condition a major factor in your ability to defend yourself? Can you train even if you're injured?
Do Your Methods Require a Great deal of Strength, speed, endurance or Practice?
Do you have Separate Techniques for Empty hand attacks, weapons attacks and multiple assailant attacks?
What Is
Self-Defense?
Self-defense is a set of awareness, assertiveness, verbal confrontation skills
with safety strategies and physical techniques that enable someone to
successfully escape, resist and survive violent attacks. A good self-defense
course provides psychological awareness and verbal skills, not just physical
training.
Does Self-Defense
Work?
Yes, Self-defense training can increase your options and help you prepare
responses to slow down, de-escalate, or interrupt an attack. Like any tool, the
more you know about it, the more informed you are to make a decision and to use
it.
Is Self-Defense a
Guarantee?
No. There are no guarantees when it comes to self-protection. However,
self-defense training can increase your choices/options and your preparedness.
Is There a
Standard Self-Defense Course?
No. There are many formats for training. They may be as short as two hours or as
long as 8 weeks or a semester. Whatever the length of the program, it should be
based on maximizing options, simple techniques, and respect for people's
experience.
Is There a Course
I Should Stay Away From?
Only you can answer this question. Find out about the philosophy of the program
and the background of the instructor. Observe a class session if you can and
talk to an instructor or a student. Is the instructor knowledgeable and
respectful of your concerns? Is it a length of time that you can commit to and
at a cost you can afford? You deserve to have all your questions answered before
taking a class.
Who's Better--A
Male or Female Instructor?
There is an advantage for women to having a male instructor. All-women classes
tend to provide an easier atmosphere in which to discuss sensitive issues. On
the other hand, some women feel having male partners to practice with can add to
their experience. The quality of a class depends on the knowledge, attitude and
philosophy of the instructor, male or female, not necessarily on gender. The
most important aspect is that the instructor, male or female, conducts the
training for the students geared to their individual strengths and abilities.
Feeling safe and building trust comes before learning.
Must I Train for
Years to Learn to Defend Myself?
No. A basic course can offer enough concepts and skills to help you develop
self-protection strategies that you can continue to build upon. Self-defense is
not karate or martial arts training. It does not require years of study to
perfect. There are women and men who have successfully improvised and prevented
an assault without having taken a class. People often practice successful
self-defense strategies without knowing it!
If I Use Physical
Self-Defense, Could I Get Hurt Worse?
The question to answer first is what does "hurt worse" mean? Rape survivors
speak eloquently about emotional hurts lasting long after physical hurts heal.
Studies show a physical self-defense response does not increase the level of
physical injury, and sometimes decreases the likelihood. Also, women and men
going along with the attacker have sometimes been brutally injured anyway. The
point of using self-defense is to de-escalate a situation and get away as soon
as possible. Knowing some physical techniques increases the range of possible
self-defense options, but the decision to choose a physical option must remain
with the person in the situation.
What Does
"Realistic" Mean?
Words like "most realistic", "best", "guaranteed success", etc., are all
advertising gimmicks. Choosing a self-defense class is a serious decision and is
preferably based on some research. No program or instructor can replicate a
"real" assault since there are so many different scenarios, and because a real
attack would require a no-holds barred fight which would be irresponsible and
extremely dangerous to enact. Responsible self-defense training requires
control. It is important that each student in a class is able to control his or
her own participation in the class and never feel forced to participate.
What Is the Role
of Mace or Other Aggressive "Devices" as Self-Defense Aids in Harming an
Attacker?
Any device is useless to you unless you understand how to use it and have it in
your hand ready to use at the time of the attempted assault. There is nothing
"guaranteed" about any of these devices. None are foolproof. None of them can be
counted on to work against all possible attackers (no matter what the labeling
may say). Realize that anything you can use against an attacker can also be
taken away and used against you. While some of these devices have sometimes
helped people escape to safety, it is important to be aware of these devices
limitations and liabilities.
How Much Should I
Pay?
Paying a lot of money for a course does not mean you automatically get better
instruction. On the other hand, don't assume all programs are the same and just
go for the cheapest. It is always beneficial to be an educated consumer. Shop
around the same as for anything else you buy that is important to you.
Where Can I Find a
Self-Defense Class?
Some centers provide self-protection classes or can refer you to one. Some
martial arts schools provide seminars and workshops. Check the phone book. If
there isn't one in your community, get involved and try to organize one.
Am I Too Old? Out
of Shape? What If I Have Some Disabilities?
You don't have to be an athlete to learn how to defend yourself. A good program
is designed to adapt to every age and ability and provide each student with the
opportunity to learn. Each individual is unique and students should be able to
discuss their own needs. Some programs have specialized classes for specific
groups.
How Can I Tell a
"Good" Course From a "Bad" One?
A good course covers critical thinking about self-defense strategies,
assertiveness, powerful communication skills, and easy-to-remember physical
techniques. The instructor respects and responds to your fears and concerns.
Instruction is based on the belief that people can act competently, decisively,
and take action for their own protection. Essentially, a good course is based on
intelligence and not muscle. It offers tools for enabling a person to connect
with her or his own strength and power. These courses are out there. Good luck
in your research. Taking a self-defense class is one of the most positive acts
people can do for themselves!
A common thread that runs through self-defense as an Art and as a Science is that it should always be based on proven principles and laws. Toward this end, the MARTIAL ART ACADEMY OF INDIA has spent many years researching and testing various theories of teaching and practicing self-defense so as to root out those superstitions, myths and simply poorly-designed techniques which can result in more harm to the defender than to the attacker.