September 14, 2019 Women's Self-Defense Clinic

September 14, 2019
I'm a weeeeeeeeee bit sore from kicking, punching, jumping, fighting, screaming, bending........but feeling somewhat empowered.
Saturday morning, BONSACK BAPTIST CHURCH offered  a Women's Self Protection and Awareness Class from 10:00AM - 1:00PM. It was facilitated by, not only a member, but a 1st Degree BLACK BELT in TaeKwonDo. 😧, Rita  Perini. Rita is the owner of KICKIN' FITNESS. Rita has 2 loves: Martial Arts and Fitness.
The intent of the class was to make us more aware of our surroundings, and teach a few self-defense moves.
I have to admit that 1/2 way through the class I was somewhat intimidated, and frightened to ever be alone again.......but by the end of the class, I was ready to sling some hammers, and split some boards 💪💪💪. I was also looking over my shoulder when I walked out of class.
BE ALERT
TRUST YOUR INNER VOICE
HAVE A PLAN
"Becoming competent in self-protection and self-defense is not about being aggressive and planning for disaster. It is about being optimistic and free....yet prepared. Self-protection is about living FEARLESSLY. "
Here is the book that was recommended. "A must-read for any woman who wants to walk through the world with confidence and serenity." Well-worth the $$$$.

For now, this is what I carry with me at all times........

Part of the class discussion included excerpts from HELP SAVE THE NEXT GIRL website.
Listed below are 50 safety tips. Consider adding them to your own list of safety precautions:

• Always use the buddy system when going out, especially at night.
• If you are walking alone and suddenly notice you are being followed, call the police. That sends your geo-location.
• If it is safe to do so, make eye contact with the person that you feel is suspicious. Even say something to them. Now that you have seen their face and could identify them you lose appeal as a target.
• Learn to make mental notes about identifying features of a person, as if the police sketch artist is going to need those details.
• If you think someone might be following you, walk to the other side of the road; if they follow call for help.
• When you are walking alone make sure you aren't looking down at your phone, texting or scrolling through social media. Be alert and aware of your surroundings.
• Do not have ear buds in when walking at night by yourself.
• Stand between the control panel and the door when in an elevator. That way if someone enters and you feel uneasy you can easily press a button to get off at the next available floor.
• Have keys in hand when walking to your car so you don't have to be fishing through your bag or coat to find them once you get there.
• Try not to sit in your car and mess around on your phone after you have parked at your destination.
• Lock your car doors while you pump gas so that no one can enter the car while you aren't looking.
• Always tell someone you trust where you are going. If it's to someone's house provide an address.
• Change your routine. Don't drive or walk the same routes every day.
• Use a verified safety app to find and report information about your area. If you are using a trusted app, create a network of friends that can make sure you get home when traveling alone.
• If you are getting pulled over by an unmarked car, you can dial 911 to verify that the person pulling you over is a police officer. If you are unsure, do not pull over until it is verified.
• Also wait to pull over at a populated place like a gas station.
• Choose parking spaces that are well lit.
• Choose parking spaces that are not boxed in by vans or trucks.
• Crack, never roll down, your car window.
• If someone bullies you while you are in your locked car at a gas station, lay on your car horn until people come over.
• Be loud and speak up. Don't not be afraid to make a scene.
• If you think you are being followed, trust your instincts and take action. Never drive towards your house or destination. Drive to the police department.
• At a party, don't leave your drink unattended. And if someone offers to buy you a drink, watch the bartender make it.
• If you have to meet with someone you don't know well, meet at a public place instead of their house.
• Keep the doors of your home locked at all times, even when you are inside.
• If you have to walk your dog at night, attach a pepper spray key chain to the leash and stay on well lit roads.
• Teach your dog to growl on command. It can make the dog pretty intimidating when you need him or her to be.
• After getting into your car lock the doors right away.
• Don't post on social media where you are going. Wait until you have left to post it. For example don't say heading for a run on the local trail.  Wait until after the run to post either the picture or status.
• Make your social media private and don't post your address, telephone number, or email on there.
• Take a self-defense course. Many universities and police departments offer them free.
• Invest in pepper spray or, if you can find it, pepper gel--it's better because the wind doesn't blow the spray towards you or away from your attacker.
• Put the pepper gel spray and a flat flashlight on your keychain.
• Put a strong whistle on your keychain.
• Always, always let someone know where you are at all times, when you should be expected to be home or arrive at your destination. Also tell them the route that you are taking if you know this ahead of time.
• Always keep your cell phone fully charged.
• Inspect your apartment window and door locks, and if they are faulty, insist that the apartment managers pay for their repair.
• Don't be home alone for any workman appointment.
• Don't study late in isolated places on campus alone.
• Inspect your windows' blinds. Use them.
• Make strong understandings with your roommates. No one leaves the apartment open, and extra keys aren't available to just anyone.
• If you hear hate talk, or violent talk, or objectifying talk, even if it is couched in humor, call it to everyone's attention publicly, and report it assertively.
• Be careful in public places who overhears your plans.
• If you see a young woman in trouble, if she is hurt, impaired, or seems vulnerable to you, alert her friends or the police.
• Have conversations with restaurant, night club, concert security, or bar owners when you are there. Ask them how they protect their clients. Ask them how they Help Save the Next Girl.
• Report inappropriate comments to business owners, trusted teachers, your friends and family, and police.
• Do not be afraid to call the police. They are there for us.
• Relationship violence doesn't have to be between strangers of a couple. It can be friend on friend.
• Know what relationship red flags are, and look for them.
• Say no when you are unsure.

The last 1/2 of the class were demonstrations of 8-10 self-defense techniques. Our class of 6 participated in each of these. Yes, I would take this class again. In fact, I am going to take some classes soon to further my own safety! Being prepared mentally is as important as being prepared physically.
FEAR is a 4-letter word.
Facing what we most fear builds our character and gives us strength.
Facing our fears gives us energy. "In moving beyond fear, we move outside our comfort zones and expand our drive, enabling us to persist under adverse conditions."
I love this quote:
It's important to recognize that fear does not only manifest itself as heart-pounding, sweat-producing anxiety. There is a quiet fear that can equally dominate our lives. That quiet fear manifests itself as procrastination. Behind every procrastination is an excuse and behind every excuse is a fear we're not facing. Indeed, it's no exaggeration to say that procrastination is our defense against fear, our way of keeping discomfort at bay. When we procrastinate, we remain rooted to our comfort zones. We avoid failure and frustration, but we also lose the energy that comes from expanding our boundaries 
Oh yes, we faced our fears.
We wrote them on a board.
Our hearts were pounding!

Break that board, girl!