Have you ever felt unsafe? In danger? Vulnerable? It’s a horrible feeling and no-one wants to feel like that. 

Of course, you’d much rather feel safe, capable and confident in any situation. 

You want to feel safe and you want to BE safe. But feeling safe is not the same as being safe. 

What do I mean by that?

😨 People who get attacked are usually taken by surprise. They didn’t see it coming and they didn’t feel unsafe before it happened. Feeling safe is no substitute for awareness of your surroundings and the situations you place yourself in or find yourself in. 

The principle of recognising potential danger and avoiding it, then defending yourself only because of not being able to avoid the situation, is a natural universal principle.  Animals do this instinctively. 

However, humans have to be taught almost everything from birth. Unfortunately, very few of us are taught this principle in relation to our own self-defence. Because it is such a natural principle, it is easier to learn and to apply in reality than you might think.

This should be the first self-defence lesson for anyone in the martial arts.

In our karate school we have a saying, “I practice common sense before self defence.” AWARENESS is the first key. It all begins with 

👀 One, being able to Recognise potentially dangerous or threatening situations, then

🏃‍♂️ Two, Avoid those situations wherever possible, and

👊 Three, Defend yourself as a last resort. 

…..R.A.D! Recognise. Avoid. Defend. ⚡💥

A good way to start, is to recognise that if you let someone you’re not sure about come too close to you it could be dangerous and that is the time to be extra careful. You get to practice this in your very first lesson.

Imagine you are in your first lesson, learning important things that will keep you safe.

🫸 You’re learning how to block if someone tries to reach out for you. 

💨 You’re learning how to keep a safe distance. 

🙅‍♀️ You‘re  learning how to take up the strong, confident posture that protects you. 

📢 You learn how to use your voice to warn them off, 

🦸‍♀️ and you learn how to physically defend yourself if necessary.

That’s a lot. But you can do it! Thousands have before you.

Picture this. 

You are standing facing your teacher who slowly touches you on your shoulders and asks you to do the same to them. As you follow the example, your teacher shows you how to use a blocking motion to avoid being pushed around or grabbed.

Now you get to practice the same blocking action. You repeat this several times until you understand how to block just like your teacher.

Once you feel comfortable with the blocking movement, you learn how to step into a strong, balanced stance that regains your personal space. It’s easier than you thought.

Your teacher then shows you how to raise your hands up in front of your body, standing tall in a non-aggressive posture, with your open palms facing out, and you just follow along. You are learning step-by-step and it’s fun.

Then you learn how to say something assertive in a clear voice like, “Leave me alone.” Or “Don’t bother me.” Or “Stop. Back off.” Or, one of my favourites, “I’m not scared of you.” Or yell for help. Now you are feeling more in control. More assertive. 

More confident. 💪

Your teacher doesn’t stop there. What happens if the bully or aggressor continues to move in your direction? Your teacher explains that you have the right to defend yourself.

🤜 Your teacher shows you how to close your hands in a strong fist, and how to punch, first with one hand, then the other, then how to follow up with a simple, effective kick. 

Your teacher demonstrates step-by-step and, once again, you just follow along. 

You will walk away empowered with a new knowledge, and a new skill, that you will never forget.