Loss of strength

[Tymeless]

anyway here is my question to all of you

Okay in the shoutbox we were discussing about a certain members past and fears i won't mention her name unless she speaks up. Anyway so we got on to the topic about how i fear losing my strength because i will no longer know how to defend myself without my strength. The reason its fearful is because people will either see me as a vulnerable woman or they will see me as a freak of nature either way i won't have strength to defend myself if a man attacks me. The reason this is a fear even bigger then most women is i haven't been raised and taught to stay out of certain types of situations like most women learn growing up nor the fear that comes with it. Most trans learn these lessons the hard way and i really really don't wanna learn these lessons at all and thats what i'm most fearful of the not being strong is just a minor scare the real scare is what i've just discussed.


anyway any helpful hints advice or comments would be appreciated


P.S. this was discussed at another site but i thought i could come here for answers and insight here.

 

[stlpenguin]

And people wonder why I hate my own gender, and feel better when emulating a woman. *sigh*

I have little to contribute to your lessons of what to / what not to do, except for sighing and shaking my head that my gender has crafted such a legacy for itself through continued malefeasance that women must grow up 'in fear' of us, and learn to conduct themselves in such manors as not to provoke our wrath.

Men suck. That is all.

-- Sara

 

[Tymeless]

And people wonder why I hate my own gender, and feel better when emulating a woman. *sigh*

I have little to contribute to your lessons of what to / what not to do, except for sighing and shaking my head that my gender has crafted such a legacy for itself through continued malefeasance that women must grow up 'in fear' of us, and learn to conduct themselves in such manors as not to provoke our wrath.

Men suck. That is all.

-- Sara

thanks for your input and response its greatly appreciated!

 

[yevkassem72]

I don't hate my own gender. I just recommend martial-arts. Good answer to the whole strength issue.

 

[Tymeless]

I don't hate my own gender. I just recommend martial-arts. Good answer to the whole strength issue.

but what martial art is best for a woman for self defense i gotta know where to look some martial arts are strength based some are agility and speed based?

 

[yevkassem72]

but what martial art is best for a woman for self defense i gotta know where to look some martial arts are strength based some are agility and speed based?

Not sure. I'm usually non-violent and tend to rely on knives myself. I'd have to research it and get back to you on that one.

 

[Tymeless]

Not sure. I'm usually non-violent and tend to rely on knives myself. I'd have to research it and get back to you on that one.

i'd appreciate it

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

I am just guessing, but judo, karate, and tae kwon do...the old stand-bys. From a good dojo/self-defense class. All due respect to Karate Kid, but most strangers won't be able to teach you karate by waxing cars or standing on boats.

If that fails, CCW (concealed carry weapon) permits are handy, complete with a class and everything. And there's the old Taser.

 

[Tymeless]

I am just guessing, but judo, karate, and tae kwon do...the old stand-bys. From a good dojo/self-defense class. All due respect to Karate Kid, but most strangers won't be able to teach you karate by waxing cars or standing on boats.

If that fails, CCW (concealed carry weapon) permits are handy, complete with a class and everything. And there's the old Taser.

all good ideas!

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

all good ideas!

Hey, weapons and skills are great equalizers!

 

[Tymeless]

Hey, weapons and skills are great equalizers!

that is the truth!

 

[stlpenguin]

If you're looking for a good martial art that is purely defensive and doesn't require great strength to perform, Aikido is the one for you. Stephen Segal is an international Aikido master, and I've seen video of him at a tournament in Japan fending off 6 attackers for like 4 minutes.

... And he made it look embarassingly easy. He never once punched, kicked, or harmed them in any way, he just kept throwing them to the side or flipping them or knocking them down. Nobody could stay on their feet long enough to land a blow on him.

Rememer - this was NOT a movie. This was an actual martial arts competition in Japan. This wasn't staged.

 

[Tymeless]

If you're looking for a good martial art that is purely defensive and doesn't require great strength to perform, Aikido is the one for you. Stephen Segal is an international Aikido master, and I've seen video of him at a tournament in Japan fending off 6 attackers for like 4 minutes.

... And he made it look embarassingly easy. He never once punched, kicked, or harmed them in any way, he just kept throwing them to the side or flipping them or knocking them down. Nobody could stay on their feet long enough to land a blow on him.

Rememer - this was NOT a movie. This was an actual martial arts competition in Japan. This wasn't staged.

interesting! may look into it.

 

[sunandshadow]

I'm happy to say that in 26 years of being female I have never had anyone, male or female, seriously attack me. Try to push me around a little, yes, but I'm 200lbs of which a decent amount is muscle - I can lift 120lbs and hold my own in any shoving or wrestling match unless my opponent was a lot taller or a real athlete. In my experience people always threaten a lot before actually attacking, so if you find a way to leave or placate them a bit it never gets to the point of a physical fight. However, if it's a case of a burglary or a hate crime that's different, there won't be any warning.

 

[Tymeless]

I'm happy to say that in 26 years of being female I have never had anyone, male or female, seriously attack me. Try to push me around a little, yes, but I'm 200lbs of which a decent amount is muscle - I can lift 120lbs and hold my own in any shoving or wrestling match unless my opponent was a lot taller or a real athlete. In my experience people always threaten a lot before actually attacking, so if you find a way to leave or placate them a bit it never gets to the point of a physical fight. However, if it's a case of a burglary or a hate crime that's different, there won't be any warning.

The hate crime thing is what i fear.

 

[Night_Jasmine]

Tiff, I'm 5'5" and took Tae Kwan Do for almost a year. All I can tell you is that the art form in Martial Arts isn't so much about body style. The sensei can train you to use what tools you have available to defend yourself with. On top of that, he or she teaches you that the first rule to defense is to avoid those situations if at all possible.

 

[Tymeless]

Tiff, I'm 5'5" and took Tae Kwan Do for almost a year. All I can tell you is that the art form in Martial Arts isn't so much about body style. The sensei can train you to use what tools you have available to defend yourself with. On top of that, he or she teaches you that the first rule to defense is to avoid those situations if at all possible.

*nods* but as a trans i can't avoid every possible situation that could arise

 

[blueblood]

I am not knocking any of the maritial arts but I'd suggest you enroll in a woman's self-defense class that puts the emphasis on the psychology of self-defense -- Plan, Perimeter, Awareness. Learn the basic kicks and punches and after that if your time and budget allow take up anothe martial art. Krav Magda the Israeli self-defense system is a quick to learn and effective system of self defense. In the short run running and screaming Fire or Dail 9-1-1 works. Pepper spray can be useful but is hardly a one stop solution. I've had pepper spray canisters fail on me at awkward times.

 

[Tymeless]

I am not knocking any of the maritial arts but I'd suggest you enroll in a woman's self-defense class that puts the emphasis on the psychology of self-defense -- Plan, Perimeter, Awareness. Learn the basic kicks and punches and after that if your time and budget allow take up anothe martial art. Krav Magda the Israeli self-defense system is a quick to learn and effective system of self defense. In the short run running and screaming Fire or Dail 9-1-1 works. Pepper spray can be useful but is hardly a one stop solution. I've had pepper spray canisters fail on me at awkward times.

awesome idea's sounds like you got a sound plan.

 

[blackieone]

martial arts such as judo teaches you how to use your attackers strength agianst them,so it's not necessary to be built like a warrior.I think that -even though effective,some other martial art like karate or kung fu is strongly suggested, since it teaches you where and how to hit,when necessary.Using weapons is not something i would recommend ,since if you're not inclined so,you may find in a situation when you will hesitate-thinking about the consequences or just at the thought of hurting another human being-and the attacker will not.
Going to a self defense class will help a lot since there you may learn how to beat fear;often the fear itself will stop you from reacting and that's the fisrt thing to be aware and dispose of.
Both in a martial arts dojo or in a self defense class you will also learn how to act and not think .

Hope this helps a bit

 

[MasterMischief]

The Buddy System

How about a quick, easy and cheap Martial Art: the buddy system. I am a big fan of Martial Arts not just for the fighting but the self discipline, exercise and self confidence. So I also recommend Martial Arts. But let's start with some real basics. Most people go the path of least resistance. An individual is an easy mark. Two, not so much. If you absolutely must be somewhere you do not feel safe, travel with a companion you trust. Travel with more if possible. Be aware of your surroundings. Watch for hiding spots where someone could take you by surprise. Make eye contact with strangers. I have heard people are much less likely to attack if you look them in the eye. Never fumble with your keys. Pull them out before you are at your car. Interlace them between your fingers so they are like a morning star. Generally, be a poor target so any would be attacker will move on to someone easier.

 

[emap]

A martial art would be a very good idea, or a self defence class, even boxing works, it's not so much being able to kick butt as looking like you can as fast as possible.

Now silly comment, but even if you never take a class, put a brick in your purse, no seriously, a purse with all your knickknacks weighs maybe 7 pounds anyway, add something big bulky and solid and you have your own weapon right there.

Now as for avoiding, it's pretty easy stuff really, never go into a dark alley, well never go into an alley unless your with someone or live there, and not the nice man who says he has something to give you out of his car in the alley. Even if his car is just right there, wait for him at the entrance, no seriously, being out of sight even just a little of passerby is more or less a death sentence if he wants to.

If you park in a parking garage, do try very very hard to not be the one in the area when you go to leave, if you are, be a skittish little bunny, whirl this way and that at any noise, put an eye behind your head so on so forth.

Hmmm, after that, if a guy gets in your face about something and there is not anyone nearby, well listen to what he says, and either agree or make him laugh then get the hell out. Well alternate method, stomp on his toes with your heels, kick him in the shin and run like hell. Oh and the run like hell part generally means you lose your shoes, go ahead, since he is mad you really don't want to get caught.

Oh and really, besides the last bit these are all things that guys should be learning to, attackers generally are not gender biased. Also do what MasterMischief says.

 

[KokopelliRises]

May I suggest a women's self defense class? They teach basic self-defense moves not based on strength and how to take precautions. I think the key thing if you ever get into any uncomfortable situation is to be very loud and very vocal about this being a bad situation. Yell at the top of your lungs. Somebody will probably hear you, but if not, no one could say that you weren't resisting sufficiently.

 

[angelkitty7888]

I definately understand the fear of something happining that's why my girl doesn't want me to go clubbing without someone (i still don't because the only one i want to go with is her and she hates crowds and males because she had certain confrontations in her troubled past she also dresses in baggy clothes all the time to hide her body so she goes unnoticed Grrrrr) But i'd say a lot of whats been said is wonderful but also avoid places where people would single you out, stay out of dark alleys and such when you carry your keys keep the keys between your fingers that type of thing

onething my dad always says is "A one legged man don't fight good" his basic philosophy is pretend your going to hit them then kick their kneecap or slam their toes while they're jumping on one foot you can run away and they probably can't follow you

 

[Wolfman1982]

TYMELESS: May I recomend you one of the three JKD organisations ? since they are NON arsekissing fighting styles. And within 3 months, you will probably have a grasp of how to defend yourself. And also , it isn´t some kind of pyramid game/Scientology shit, like almost every Yip Man based style is. To those who has no idea why I am saying Yip/Ipman, then it is because of all those Wing Chun (generic name) organisations, then alot of them is like a pyramid game/ "Scientology" money grabbing organisations.

So my recomendations are as follows.

Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do, with Tim Tackett who is the boss there in that organisation.

http://www.jkdwednite.com/Tim.htm

JKD Unlimited where Burton Richardson is the boss

http://www.jkdunlimited.com/

(sadly I have never had an oppurtunity to meet him, but I hear very good words from Tim Tackett who I have met at a seminar some years ago in Denmark).

And then there is PFS JKD, where Paul Vunak is the boss. And that organisation is a good organisation too.

http://www.fighting.net/pfs_home.php

But anyway, stay the HELL away from SBG (Straight Blast Gym) , they are whoring out the name of Bruce Lee in a very bad way. Even though the boss has practised JKD in his past. And why don´t I like them ? because they are arrogant sons of bitches, and one of them got kicked out of JKD unlimited, and well I have met that mean bastard and tried to prove to me, that JKD was shitty as hell. And stuff, and then he tried to proove to me that "trapping" didn´t work, and the only thing I got out of Rodney *chico* Kings seminar was a concussion, and my loathing to SGB has grown ever since.

So the three JKD organisations I have mentioned are great organisations. But check them out, which of the style you like. And take care of your money.

So my advice is, train JKD, since within 6 months, you should defend yourself without blinking, and PFS JKD, is a winner here. But the two others are great too, but stay the fuck away from SBG.

But I am not ruling any art out, that can help you. Just the organasations who takes money out of your pocket, and don´t teach you anything. So even Ninjutsu could be smashing great for you, as long you won´t have to purse out tons of money, before you end up learning anything at all.