When to self defend is one of the toughest questions and just as difficult to answer. A common phrase is “imminent danger of great bodily harm and/or death”. That may be the right answer but keep in mind, I’m not an attorney and am not trying to give you legal advice though I want to address the subject.
We train martial arts to develop ourselves in many ways: health, stress reduction, strength, flexibility, concentration, discipline and self defense. These are a few of the areas a student will improve in, especially in a legitimate school with an instructor that knows what he or she is doing.
In regards to the self defense aspect, the student must be careful. Martial arts cannot be used lightly nor in such a way that another person becomes the victim. It’s very important to respect your art: it’s even more important not to use it unnecessarily. It wouldn’t be right spiritually and it might not be right legally.
Abusing the martial arts can easily reverse things where you become the one arrested and put in a place of legal threat, financial expense and so on. It’s imperative to understand that almost every community in the country doesn’t approve of mutual combat and they have laws against it.
A few things to think about:
- Walk away when you can.
- Never fight for ego.
- If you must self defend, use techniques that are appropriate for the situation.
- Do not hit or hurt someone if they surrender or give up.
Focus on bettering yourself through martial arts more than actually using it.
Try to use prevention as your primary technique by how you handle yourself.
……. and Train Only To Master Yourself.
Many, many men have responded to my telling them of my martial arts training by saying, “Oh, so you wanna fight??” I guess it’s only a weird response because they’re talking to a happy girl of 5’1″! Haha! I know they’re joking (?) but I still think it’s a strangely aggressive response and surely one that I could’ve reacted to badly. I’d imagine if they also say that to every GUY who trains martial arts, a lot of them would take them up on the fight.
I am happy to say that I’ve never had to use my kung fu outside of my school. I hope I can live my whole life saying that.
I hope you never have to use it, too.
This question comes up a lot when working with the kids in the junior classes. They have so many encounters of intimidation and threats every day that it is hard for them to know, at first, when to “use” their martial arts. I point out that they are using their skills when they are asking these types of questions. Even so much as knowing your surroundings, communicating with those around you, and a good sense of humor are “self-defense” in action.