| Will this article change your mind about the | | | | conditions as possible. |
| perfect mix for a martial-arts class? On several | | | | They need to learn to take on a heavy male |
| occasions, I have offered to help out a women's | | | | attacker. |
| self-defense class. My wife is the only female to | | | | Women who want to defend themselves |
| accept my offer. | | | | absolutely have to practice their martial techniques |
| Most of the time, these women self-defense | | | | against someone who is significantly stronger. |
| teachers claim that theirs is a women only class. I | | | | My wife is only five-feet, two inches tall, and |
| say, of course -- you teach women. I am offering | | | | weighs less than 120 pounds. I think she has |
| myself to role play the part of an attacker, so | | | | always fared so well in the martial arts, because |
| they can practice defending a big, heavy brute. | | | | she has worked out almost exclusively against big, |
| Still, they decline my offer. | | | | strong guys. (I weigh over 270 lbs.) |
| It's a shame. These women and female teens will | | | | If you are a woman and want to really learn to |
| only get practice against other females. I suppose | | | | defend yourself, then don't always work out with |
| this is fine, if they only plan on defending | | | | the smallest, mousiest woman in the class. And |
| themselves against other females. | | | | don't join a women only self-defense class. |
| I have always imagined women's self-defense as | | | | Join a mixed class-- one with both men and |
| learning to defend against any attacker, especially, | | | | women. Or better yet, turn a men's class into a |
| giant, hairy, male ruffians (pardon the stereotype). | | | | mixed class... by joining them. And then workout |
| More Realistic Women's Self-Defense Women | | | | with the big, strong guys. Learn what works |
| could learn to defend themselves better, if they | | | | against them. (Hint: Don't rely on strength. |
| made it a point to practice in as close to realistic | | | | |