should i take a self defense class?

Question

i wish i knew some self defense. When i was 5 took a karate class in camp. When i was 13 (i am 15 now), i was at the bus stop waiting for my cousins bus to come so i could take her home and watch her until her mother got home from work. Then suddenly some guy I've seen maybe once or twice came up to me and began asking me really strange questions. He looked about late 30's, early 40's. He was saying stuff like "how old are you?" and "Where do you go to school?"I was a little weirded out especiall when he said "You are really pretty." Then he asked my did i want to go to his house and i said no and tried to walk away, but he wouldn't let me leave. Everywhere i tried to go he stepped in my way. i started hyper ventalating and finally he asked "can i at least have a hug?" i said no and he left. my cousins bus finally came and i put her on my back (she's 7) and ran home trying not to show her my teary face. When i got home my grnadma called the cops... (continued in added details).......

...they couldn't take him in because he was supposedly mentally retarted. I was so mad but i eventually got over it. but now i am afraid to go anywhere alone. should i prepare myself just in case anything else happens like this by taking a self defense class?

Answer 1

Most definitely and a good self-defense program will do a number of things for you. First it will teach you some skills and techniques to use in situations like that if you have to defend or protect yourself. Secondly it will help re-establish your self confidence and help allay some of that feeling of vulnerability. Third a good program will teach you awareness and avoidance type techniques so that you will not so easily be caught in a situation like that again or if you see it coming have a better idea of what to do and how to best handle it.

Unfortunately there is no one magic bullet that will totally keep this from happening again but there are schools out there that have good self-defense programs that can help give you the awareness, confidence, and skills to better deal with a situation like this if it happens again or one similar to it. Since this could quite easily occur again with this particular person I would carry a cell phone and make sure I kept my eyes open and if you see him coming again call 911 right away and they can dispatch a car to drive by maybe. I would also consider carrying one of those personal alarms that lets out a high pitch scream and pull that as soon as I saw him coming. It sounds like it's only a matter of time before he goes to far and then they will keep him away from the bus stop but until then you don't want to be taken unawares of or unprepared again.

Answer 2

Absolutely. There will be about a dozen answers in this category about WHICH martial art to take classes in, but we'd all agree that self defense is worth studying.

The main advantage is mental. The confidence that you'll gain will carry over into your whole life. It'll help motivate you to stay fit and healthy. And just the added awareness of your body and your movements would be worth it.

Your local YWCA might be a good place to start looking into taking classes?

(For my partisan point of view; tai chi for exercise, karate as practiced by the armed forces for defense.)

Answer 3

yeah its soo much fun! I am a martial artists and I love my classes I am proud of my achievements and you get to meet nice people. go for it! Just check out the differnet places in your area and see which one you like the best. Watch a class or two so you can see what they do. Sometimes the instructors will let you try a class to get the feel of it. Dont say on the first day this is impossible though. Give it a few months and then see how you like it. Youll be glad you did!