Earlier this month we were treated to a fantastic self-defense workshop from Leslie Bockian.
Although you might have missed the opportunity for hands-on practice and entertaining, but practical self defense with everyday objects (including a pen, a toilet tank lid, and a flashlight), you can still up your odds of successfully avoiding being a victim by studying these Six Super Safety Tips!
Follow these easy strategies from Leslie Bockian to increase your security:
1. PRACTICE BEING AWARE
The single most important idea for personal safety is awareness of your environment. Every attacker, regardless of the type of crime, looks for the easiest possible target, and being able to take you by surprise gives the assailant a huge advantage. The more alert and aware you are, the less likely a criminal will even try to target you.
2. LISTEN TO YOUR INSTINCT
Trust your instinct. If something just feels wrong – with a person, a location, a situation, etc. – something IS wrong. You’re not imagining it, and you’re not being “paranoid.” Don’t waste time trying to analyze exactly why you feel uneasy, just change the situation: leave the area, move away from the individual, reschedule an appointment – whatever it takes to make the uncomfortable feeling go away.
3. BE MINDFUL OF YOUR BODY LANGUAGE
Make it a conscious practice to move with an air of confidence and a sense of purpose. Attackers look for people whose body language looks weak, confused, off-balance, or distracted – in other words, an “easy target.” Don’t let that be you.
4. MAINTAIN A SAFE SPACE
As much as possible, keep a cushion of open space around yourself. If an assailant can’t reach you or your belongings (cell phone, laptop, jewelry, purse, etc.), you are much safer. Keep in mind that attackers OFTEN use tricks to try to get too close to you, usually asking you for some kind of help (“Please, have you seen my missing child? Here’s a picture!”). Don’t let them use the fact that you’re a nice person as a way to harm you. It’s OK to refuse to help if doing so will put you in danger.
5. USE YOUR VOICE
Your voice is a wonderful self-defense tool. You can yell “Fire!” to get attention; you can give the assailant a direct order (“Stop right there!”); you can yell a name to make the attacker think someone will be coming out to help you; you can even outwit an assailant. You’ll hear amazing stories of these kinds of strategies in every self-defense workshop.
6. TAKE A SELF-DEFENSE CLASS
Being the victim of a violent crime disrupts someone’s life in a truly devastating way, and to a staggering degree. Take a fun and convenient one-day women’s self-defense workshop! Send Leslie your email address to be notified of the dates and times of upcoming classes (cspselfdefense@myway.com)
Get Fit With Kayla 