Choices

In the United Kingdom we are currently undergoing a rise in violent crime, with an emphasis on knife crime. There does not seem to be a week goes by without another tragedy occurring. In London alone we have lost twenty three young people to this senseless activity. What can be done about this situation, well that I think is a job for politicians and the police. As an individual the only thing you can do is to take sensible precautions, these can include the following. If an argument starts calm it down or walk away before it escalates do not let so called pride or anger draw you in to something more serious.

If you know certain pubs or clubs have a reputation for trouble stay away, just go somewhere else. How often does drink play a part, drink sensibly enjoy yourself but do not get so out of it you lose control. Stay vigilant if you see trouble it is to easy to get involved just leave. How often have you walked into a bar and the atmosphere feels bad listen to your instincts and go somewhere else. Self defence or protection. If at all possible join a club that has self defence classes for the times when all the above has failed.

I have been involved in one form or another for over twenty five years in the martial arts. Over the last few years I have noticed a very large increase in adverts both on the internet and local newspapers. Telling you how you can protect yourself and loved ones from such attacks. I am sorry to say most of these adverts remind me of the old Charles Atlas adverts. You remember the strip cartoon where the weedy looking man gets sand kicked in his face and the girls laugh. So he goes home and sends off for the Charles Atlas course. We next see our hero with a six pack and biceps that would put Arnie to shame. He then proceeds to knock out the same bully and all the girls love him. Do you see what is wrong with this scenario?

No it is not how shallow the girls are portrayed though you would have a point. No it is what they are not telling you. It could take years of training to build your body like that if at all. The same can be said about martial arts. In styles like Karate, Judo, Kung Fu it can take many years of training to develop an adequate self defence that will work in a real life situation. I do apologise to anyone who feels I have been a bit unfair to pick out these three disciplines. It is just that they will be better known to the general public. Also please do not feel that it is a waste of time to train in them as there are fantastic benefits to be gained. That’s for another article; this one hopefully is about realistic choices. If you are looking at taking up a martial art just for self protection, do your homework look for a site or class that offers courses in self defence not just sport Karate for example.

Good luck in your choices I hope that this may have been of some help.