Hey friends,
I'm so, so sorry that I've been MIA for a while but I am back now. I've missed you! I hope you guys are keeping well and hanging in there. I can't believe we're already in September. This year has been moving way too fast.
We've been downgraded to level 2 lockdown here in South Africa and while we're all transitioning back into our office life the cases of violence against women and children are still at a record high. The Daily Maverick reported that there was a massive increase in reported cases of gender-based violence during the hard lockdown, 87 000 to be precise.
This created an opportunity for me to ask our women, via social media, about some of the self-defense items they carry with them when travelling or just going about their days. The results concluded that pepper spray is a very popular item. If you don't already have one or have no idea where to get one from have a look at Defcon Tactical or Takealot. You can order online with these guys. Now, pepper spray is a great self-defense item but what happens when you don't have this little gadget or you're not able to reach this beacon of hope in time when encountering an attack?
Let's just break this down for a second so we're all on the same page. The Miriam Webster dictionary describes self-defense as "1: a plea of justification for the use of force or homicide" and "2: the act of defending oneself, one's property or a close relative." I believe that you need to create a window of opportunity in a situation when someone is trying to violate you or harm you in any physical way.
This is easier said than done in a situation of assault. Our bodies produce adrenaline naturally in the medulla oblangata and in the adrenal glands. The hormone is also know as the fight-or-flight hormone because it creates a specific response in the body to a situation that is stressful. Our awareness and senses are heightened and we become tremendously stronger than we normally are.
Adrenaline, as we have now come to understand, is a very useful hormone to have but for some people this might not be the case. Too much of the hormone can cause weight gain, anxiety, depression, heart disease and can be counteractive if you're being attacked. This is why self-defense techniques are such a crucial thing to possess in our world today.
In Black Belt Magazine's article on 10 Self-Defense Strategies Every Woman Needs to Know to Survive, Meredith Gold breaks down some of the most basic physical techniques that every woman should take note of. My takeaways from this well written article are below.
1. Trust your gut
If at any moment you think to overlook a bad feeling, DO NOT DO IT. You need to trust our intuition, especially if you are alone.
2. Make things difficult
Create an opportunity for yourself to get away from a person that you might suspect is a predator. Turn around if you have to but do not allow yourself to be accessible to them.
3. Be Confident
Walk with authority. Do not show them that you may be afraid because just like animals, a predator can smell fear. Be aware of your surroundings.
4. Speak Up
Speak with authority and be aggressive with your words if you have to. Verbal communication is something we use more often than anything so use your voice, girl!
5. Create An Illusion of Compliance
Never give off the impression that you are ready for a fight. Relax your body and create the illusion that you do not want confrontation and if you need to attack he/she won't be expecting it.
6. Try To Distance Yourself
Your personal space is important because this is something you will need if you need to defend yourself. Use your words and if that doesn't work, a physical reaction.
7. Quick Responses Are The Best
It's one thing to be in a relaxed stance if the predator is in front of you and another if they're behind you. You need to put up a fight immediately if you are grabbed from behind. This can create an element of surprise because they won't be expecting you to defend yourself.
8. Easy Techniques
When you're in an assault situation you will go into shock and lose your fine motor skills due to the adrenaline that's kicked in, so quick simple physical techniques are required. Techniques and links below.
9. Being Knocked To The Ground Is Not The End of The Fight
The heel-palm and eye strike are still useful here. Side kicks are your friend if your predator is standing above you because their crotch is left open. Go for gold, ladies!
10. Lastly, Do Not Give Up
Keep fighting until you know you're safe. Do not hesitate because you will lose the advantage you held in the beginning.
I know that self-defense classes are not freely accessible in the rural parts of South Africa so I hope I've helped in some way. If self-defense instructors could just come together and teach our women and children for free, that would be great!
Sending you lots of love,
Pran
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