Top 5 Considerations When Evaluating Women’s Self Defense Training

Written By: Jennifer Lownik , EVP,  IM-SAFE Institute℠

Nobody plans on getting into a car accident.  In fact, we do whatever we can to avoid such events.  So, logically if we all took the necessary steps, to avoid accidents why would any of us need to have auto insurance?  After all if we  are really careful, isn’t it sort of overkill to pay for unnecessary insurance?

Most reasonable people would agree that the above thought process is ridiculous!  That’s my point!  Rational, thinking people know it’s necessary to have insurance protection because accidents can and do happen and … they happen when we least expect it.   So what does this have to do with self-defense for women?  A lot!

We as women go to great lengths to protect our cars, homes, lives and family with comprehensive insurance policies, yet when it comes to our own personal safety women suddenly say … it won’t happen to me!  Why do logical women make life and death decisions about their own personal safety training and come to the conclusion   … self defense training is unnecessary and optional?

In many cases, for less than $100 and 2 hours of your time, you can learn the steps necessary to protect yourself.  Why live in fear?  It’s possible for every woman to protect herself and her family using nothing more than her voice, whit, sense of humor and ultimately her body if needed.

So what should you look for when evaluating a self-defense program for women?

1. It should be specifically designed for women and teach women how to use all of her female strengths.  Many programs such as those found at martial arts studios teach women how to fight like men.  (upper body, punches, jabs, yelling, screaming etc…)  Looks great sounds great but look  for a program that uses a woman’s strengths to level the playing field!
2. A program should be easy to remember. Ask any kid ages 3+ what do to if their clothes catch on fire and they will tell you “Stop, Drop and Roll”.  They don’t have to stop and think about it.  A good women’s self defense program should be the same way.  No matter what happens or what position you are in, the method should work without thinking twice.
3. An effective women’s self defense protocol should be learned quickly.  Women, due to the combined pressures of work and family, often don’t have years to train, thousands of dollars to invest, or want to memorize complicated techniques.
4. As women you will want to avoid physical confrontation if at all possible.  Look for programs that teach you to use your voice, whit, humor and deception to deescalate the situation before it becomes physical.
5. Whistles and many pepper sprays are not very useful, but other ordinary objects can be used quite effectively as force multipliers to defend yourself.   Find a program that teaches you how to use common items (water bottle, umbrella, purse, pen, cell phone etc…) to defend yourself.

Learn to be aware. Learn how to use your intuition and above all learn how to conquer fear by putting yourself and your loved ones first