Are Self-Defense Classes Really Worth It?
Photo : Syda Productions ( Shutterstock )  Knowing how to defend yourself is a nice feeling. If, god forbid, someone with bad intentions were to cross your path, you could, theoretically, handle the situation better than if you hadnt taken those classes. But the concept of self-defense is a broad church that encompasses many schools of thoughtsome of which warrant a more critical eye. Advertisement  Before paying for self-defense classes, there are a few things you should consider so you arent sold something that wont help much in the long run. General self-defense classes have their merits  For the uninitiated, general self-defense concepts can be beneficial. Much of their curriculum tends to teach students how to recognize signs and situations that might be dangerous , and for many people whove never had to contend with physical threats before, these signs might not be inherently obvious. And l earning how to neutralize threats without physically engaging is a noteworthy skillt ypically, most people would like to evade potential danger altogether without compromising their physical safety. De-escalation tactics, whether verbal or physical , are always the first recourse . So, g eneral self-defense class will help you on a number of levels. B ut you should also be aware of their limits . As the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCASA) writes on Portland, Oregons city website:  A program should offer options, techniques, and a way of analyzing situations. A program may point out what USUALLY works best in MOST situations, but each situation is unique and the final decision rests with the person actually confronted by the situation. Its good when a self-defense instructor teaches you to knee an assailant in the groin. Its bad when they claim that certain techniques can endow you with the skill necessary to overcome multiple attackers, including those wielding weapons. Advertisement  Unfortunately, theres something of a cottage industry of martial arts fakers who teach unrealistic and oftentimes blatantly laughable techniques. Take for instance an instructor showing students how to fend off being held at gunpoint by two separate attackers. Or this highlight reel of a self-styled master dealing with multiple assailants with ease. They re funny examples, but if theyre to be taken with an ounce of credibility, they instantly become dangerous. How to choose a self- defense course or martial arts instructor  You should be aware of who your instructor is and in what discipline theyve trained. Advertisement  You want to take self-defense courses at martial arts schools that offer instruction in a specific discipline. Seeking out general self-defense might lead you to the doorsteps of those who may not have actually been put in physically comprising situations themselves. Understand your own training goals  The goals one might have in seeking self-defense obviously differ from the goals one might have in training in a specific martial art. Still, learning a specific style of self-defensewhether its Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing, karate, etc.will equip you with more physical practice to better apply your skills if ever necessary. Since youre not really going to spar with full resistance in a self-defense class, you might need to embark on a journey in a specific martial art to actually understand what it feels like to have someone shove you, try to throw you to the ground, or punch you. Practical experience, or ideally, years of dedication to a martial art, is the best way to become prepared for a dangerous situation. Advertisement  Still, self-defense classes can impart valuable lessons that acquaint people with the overall context and situational warnings of physical confrontation. Its just vital to understand that no class, or training, will make you invincible.