Most people would not purchase and carry a firearm unless they felt certain in their ability to fire it accurately, and most gun owners recognize the necessity of continual practice to maintain their skills. Unfortunately, very few people seem to apply the same idea to personal safety. It may sound overly cynical to make the claim that anyone can be a victim of assault (sexual or otherwise), but the truth is, until you find yourself in a threatening environment, you don’t know how you will react. By practicing unconventional tactics and realistic escape maneuvers, we added a real world aspect to our training. Soon, we had the entire school involved in what we fondly called our surprise fight club. We were ambushing one another as we entered the school, or trying to catch our instructors off guard as they finished classes. This training required a level of control and awareness that made participants proud to be part of our school, even when an “attacker” got the best of them.

Considering the purpose behind these classes, I found it amusing when I received a knee to the face hard enough for me to see stars and resulting in the purple goose egg I sported to work the following day. I was proud of the fact that things had escalated to this point because it meant students were getting serious. We weren’t pulling punches or apologizing for the hits that we scored. I knew that if I had to take a smack to the face and then run a mile to get help, I was strong enough to do it. I wasn’t going to be that damsel in distress waiting for someone else to save me, and being able to share that knowledge with other people empowered me.

Maybe what I’m describing probably doesn’t sound like fun to the majority of people reading this. In fact, it might even seem a little disturbing. Addressing subjects such as rape, physical assault, and kidnapping is difficult, even when you’re surrounded by those you trust. Several students quit because they felt our approach was too aggressive or they simply weren’t comfortable thinking about such specifically graphic situations. It’s not about finding enjoyment in hurting someone, but rather the satisfaction of fully understanding your capabilities under physical and psychological stress.

It’s also about helping others who may not be capable of helping themselves. I am fortunate in that I have never been kidnapped, carjacked, or mugged. But I have been in situations when I felt it was important to intervene and take action to prevent these things from happening to someone else. If you can recognize a dangerous situation and have the confidence to step in and protect a complete stranger, the peace of mind that results is so profound it’s difficult to accurately explain.

Of the many styles of martial arts in the world, some focus on the benefits of slow deliberate movements and the quiet resolve of extended meditation. Others offer the high impact, fast-paced maneuvers seen in kickboxing or the structured forms of traditional karate. All these styles incorporate self-defense tactics. The point is, no matter who you are or what your interests, at least one version of martial arts will fit your lifestyle, and when it comes to protecting yourself, something is better than nothing. If you’re nervous walking to your car alone at night or frightened of the atmosphere in your apartment or home, there are programs in this city and across the nation full of good people with information to share with you. If you have children, siblings or someone you care about, take the time to talk with them about the safety strategies you feel are important. Have a genuine conversation about what they mean to you and what you are willing to do to keep them safe.