Women's Self Defense: Its not a myth!

Let me get one thing out of the way first, I generally hate most women's self defense  programs. I am a woman, a service member, a combatives instructor, a competitor in jiu-jitsu, and I have been practicing Muay Thai for over 7 years. I don't care what your teaching, no single day of training will give you the real possibility of resisting an opponent that is larger and stronger. Don't get me wrong, they are teaching valid techniques but without the repetitive training to engrain the movements and reaction, you will be unsuccessful.

The real key to being able to resist/escape/defeat a larger opponent is having the proper initial reaction when you are attacked. This can only be achieved with repetitive drilling. Being good at self-defense is just like any other sport. Practice. Practice. Practice. You don't go pick up a baseball for the first time, throw it for an hour, and then go tryout for the the Atlanta Braves. If that sounds ridiculous to you, so should a one day self-defense class.

Good self-defense training starts with basic drilling. This includes the correct way to fall and move with someone on top of you. This should then be accompanied by situational drilling and finally 80-90% sparring.
No matter how you train, you will always be scared if you are attacked. But that is good. You should be scared. It gives you drive, helps with alertness, and the adrenalin will give you additional strength you didn't know you had, plus it rids you of the cockiness. You can't defeat everyone but beating the person to a pulp isn't the only way to win. Sometimes not losing is winning. If I am able to hold an attacker in a position where I am not getting hurt and he is having to use energy, this is a win. Most people are not conditioned enough to fight longer than 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Women or men should really look for a self-defense class that is at least once a week and about 1.5 hours. It should incorporate both aggressive defensive and offensive techniques. This is important to developing good posturing. I personally think Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai are the best for self defense but they definitely are not the only ones. Find an instructor you are comfortable with and a facility you like. Stepping on the mat is the first step.
Remember there is no fair fight, elbows and knees are your friend. Give yourself the advantage, be a survivor! Fox Fitness offers a women's self defense class every Saturday 9-10:30.