Thanks everyone for a great session. While I have taught variations of this in regular classes, this is the first time we did this self defense module in a 2 hour workshop format. Following are some notes that I have prepared before the workshop, obviously, there is a gap of what I wanted to include vs what I actually can cover.

Goals

• Be safe and have fun !earning
• See  a viable alternative using less effort and dependency on strength & speed as compared to common approaches to self defense
• Build confidence because you know there are viable choices even when you have less muscles and speed that the agressor

Myths and common mindset errors

• I cannot (yet)
• Fixed correct solutions or a black belt make you invincible – every situation is different. The key is survival. So adapt to the situation on hand and apply the principles you learn here.
• This 2 hour workshop can make you an invincible fighter – not possible. It has to be practiced until it is yours.
• Punching, kicking and strong fast muscles are prerequisites to self-defense

Top 3 principles / pillars of self defense (abbreviated as LRT)

• Listen / Look – look for and anticipate danger, look for things out of place
• Resources – other people, flexibility and mobility you gain from exercises, attending seminars like this one and even hearing aid can help, resources of the aggressor like time, height, age etc.
• Target – move the target, don’t present yourself as a potential target, your vulnerability like balance, slower response, time. The vulnerable spots of the aggressor if you want to hit back

Hands on interactions and experiments

1. Neutralize and de-escalate – Go with the flow of the force of pushes
2. Line of fire (move the target)
3. Get out from wrist grabs (criteria – non-escalating, using grabbed hand)
4. Two hands against one (low)
5. Pushed against the wall
6. Hair grab
7. Choke
8. Defense against hits (eg. Straight punch, swings, tackle, two hand-handed pushes, charge, surprise shuffle)
9. How to double hitting power
10. How to overwhelm opponent
11. Exploring vulnerabilities (soft/pain spots, vital spots, balance)
12. Small contact area to maximize pressure and threat
13. Importance of a decision to fight back
14. Running away may not be a viable option

Mechanics

• Visualization – how your mind operates changes how strong you can be
• Getting out of the ambiguous state of non-decision is critical to your chances of success. Plan ahead and be decisive.
• Adapt to the scenario on hand is required. Human survive not because of strength but adaptability
• Don’t be obsessed with the obstacle, think from a different direction and things get a lot easier.