Last night I attended a special workshop on ground defense for women taught by Master David Harms. This smiling man shown in the photo to the right has been practicing martial arts since he was an adolescent. Master Harms, now a 5th degree black belt in the art of Tae Kwon Do and a brown belt in the martial art of Judo, is passionate about empowering women to be strong, confident and able to defend themselves. He take it very seriously and motivates all of us to do the same.
The purpose of this special ground defense workshop was to provide extra instruction and techniques to the women black belts and high belts who will be teaching the June 26, 2010 Women’s Self Defense Workshop in Canton, CT – a community service event sponsored by Yu’s Academy of Martial Arts and Soroptimist International of Farmington Valley whose mission is to improve the lives of women and girls in our local community and around the world.
This was perhaps the best and most important class that I’ve ever taken. Why? Because I was able to “feel the fear and do it anyway.”
I have always worried about the possibility of being thrown to the ground. This classic rape position sends fear to most women that I know. I worry about falling down and hurting myself and worse yet, being in this most vulnerable position. As a result of this fear, I have done my best to avoid even practicing these scenarios or thinking about what I would do in this potential situation. Tonight, in this safe, training environment, I couldn’t wiggle out of it. It was time to conquer my fear and learn how truly powerful I am.
Master Harms first set us up with a few bits of reality about violent attacks against women. Most attacks will end up on the ground at some point or another, he suggested. He emphasized how important it is to keep a cool head during an attack. “You must think while you are falling,” he reminded us. “You want to land in a good position to defend yourself.”
The worst position and how to correct it
The worst position you can ever be in is face down with your legs and arms flat on the ground. (see photo on right). You have no strength or power to defend yourself. If you find yourself in this position, you want to find a way to flip over and face your attacker. You want your legs and arms in the defensive position, with one knee up between you and your attacker.
Flip over and face your attacker
Here’s a video from Chemin Alldredge demonstrating how to keep your guard up while on the ground using your legs and hands in the defensive position. This position gives you great visibility and power to drive back your attacker, until such time as you can get up and run away. If you attacker has you on the ground and is close to your face and chest, this defensive position is your best shot. Unlike a turtle on her back, you can be strong and fierce in this position!
Forget the ladylike behavior – it’s time to get fierce
Master Harms had us practice using loud, tiger like growls and grunts during our defensive rounds. We practiced shouted “No – Back Off.” He encouraged us to use profanity – those four-letter words that we have been told for decades are not polite to use in public. This is hard for some women – to find their voice and to let their inner-warrior out. I can’t emphasize enough how critical this is to potentially saving your life. Click through to our web page “Learn to Defend Yourself” and watch the video from Dr. Ruthless – a small petite, unassuming woman who has found her voice and is empowering other women to fight back and win.
Turning the Tables on Your Attacker
The goal in your self defense is to turn the tables on your attacker; to shift your position from victim to defender to attacker. The bad guy will be very surprised by the fierceness of your response and very sorry that he choose you to pick on.
Here’s a photo series that shows how a woman being attacked can flip over and change her outcome. Black Belt Kathleen Oyanadel is playing the role of the attacker in this simulation.
What will you do next?
The hardest part about hosting a free women’s self defense workshop is actually getting the women and girls to show up. You’d think it would be a no-brainer. The price is right. It’s fun and empowering. It’s important to know how to do. So, what’s the deal? Why do women shy away from this kind of work? This is the perfect opportunity to face your fear and do it anyway – and to learn how to do it in a safe, supportive, training environment. Don’t wait until it’s too late. You must take action and learn to defend yourself now. You must come from a place of strength!
