Have you ever taken a self defense class?

Are you proactively trained, in any way, to defend yourself should the need arise?

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

I've taken single classes before, but never a series.

I feel some what confident that I could defend myself. Between my uncles, father and cousins (many in law enforcement), I've learned the tricks to keep myself safe.

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

Yes, I took Karate for a few years in my 20's. LOVED it!!! We learned a lot of "street defense", so part of our training was to be put in situations that would require us to be able to defend ourselves. Like for me, I would have to lie on the floor and one of the guys would pin me down (as in a rape situation). Good to know what to do there.....

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

Yes.

When I was 17, I was home by myself on a Saturday night, sitting in my parents room watching TV. I heard a noise coming from downstairs, in the sunroom below. I went downstairs, and as I got closer to the room, I heard noises. I called my dog over to "scare" potential intruders. I also turned the light on (you could turn the light on for that room, outside the room), and I then heard them pulling down the shades in the room.

I stood there for about a minute, frozen in complete and total fear, wondering what should I do? Go run to the phone and call the police? Run out of the house? Set off the alarm? (yes, we had an alarm, but it was stupidly set so that a person could break into the sunroom, and the alarm wouldn't be triggered until the opened the doors from the sunroom to the rest of the house).

While I was standing there frozen, all of a sudden, I saw the doors splintering open, and at that moment, the alarm started blaring, and I saw two men, in masks, pointing to ME, and running towards me. I jumped, and ran as fast as I've ever ran, towards the front door.

The men ran after me, and actually followed me halfway out of the house. They turned around and went back into the house once I got to my neighbor's door. They spent about 40 minutes in our house while the police too their time getting there, and the only thing they took? My purse. Nothing else. They got away, due to the ineptitude of the police, which is another story in and of itself.

The point? That altered my life forever more, and I became terrified to sleep in my own home. My father immediately enrolled me in self-defense karate classes. I made it to brown belt, and I feel fairly equipped in how to handle myself if anything like that ever happens again. What it mostly boils down to is confidence.

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

I hold a brown belt in Ishinru Karate

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

My Daddy trained me....and lucky for me, i LOVE beating people.

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

Wow, Beth- that story gave me goosebumps.

I took Kung Fu for 2 months.
I am fairly incapable of self defense. Even verbally.

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

I took a series of rape self defense classes as well as a making it to my "white belt, black stripe" in Jiu Jitsu.

My father taught us from a VERY young age to defend ourselves....mostly against men, of any size. He was very rough with us in "play fighting" but I have a HIGHLY developed sense of confidence in myself with physical altercations.

it is VERY much confidence...and street smarts.

I have also brough our nieces to children self dense classes at my dojo, and want to do so again now that they are a bit older.

it is NEVER too young to start.

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

I took Isshinryu while in college.

Message edited 6/7/2007 12:06:52 PM.

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

As you know, yes...I am a pre-black (4th degree red belt) in Tae Kwon Do...

I am planning on getting my black belt soon so I can continue on getting 2nd degree black....

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

I once had a job at a 24 hour emergency Psychiatric center (long story...I only lasted there 2 weeks) and they gave us some training in self-defense.

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

Posted by Ophelia

Posted by MrsGreek

As you know, yes...I am a pre-black (4th degree red belt) in Tae Kwon Do...

I am planning on getting my black belt soon so I can continue on getting 2nd degree black....

you are my hero for so many reasons.

you were on our collective mind last night...and were very missed.

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

I've been taking karate (mixed martial arts, so it's boxing, karate, grappling, tai-kwon-do, and a few other things as well.) I don't want to ever test it, but I think I can hold my own against anyone without a weapon. Guns beat karate every time.....

DS is currently enrolled in the same school as me (4yo), and DD will be too when she turns 3.

Message edited 7/6/2009 11:50:27 AM.

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

I used to do tae kwon do.

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

i took a self defense class for my phys ed requirement in college.

Let's just say that I'm better verbally than physically.

I can, however use evasive moves to get out of situations.

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

Yes, I have taken a bunch. But it was years ago and I should go back to a refresher.

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

Yes...I have an Orange Belt in Karate.

Re: Have you ever taken a self defense class?

We had to take a self defense course as a part of my gym class in High School.
I found it to be a great experience.
Not sure if I'd remember it in an emergency- but I feel better having learned something.