GLAM + STYLE | Self Care + Beauty
SELF-DEFENSE BASICS By Jennie Renner
Violent crime is an unfortunate reality of the world we live in today. As women, we know that we should be prepared to defend ourselves, but it isn’t something we like to think about. Steve Basche, Master Instructor and the owner of Basche’s Martial Arts, says self-defense starts with projecting confidence. In fact, he said it is the most important thing you can do to help avoid a threatening situation. “You should always look like you know where you’re going,” he said. “Walk a little bit faster than usual, chest out, chin up, look straight ahead, and use your peripheral vision to stay aware of your surroundings.” Sensei Basche opened his business in 1997 but has been practicing martial arts most of his life. He started training at a very young age with his mother. “I love what I do,” he said. “I live and breathe martial arts.” According to Basche, awareness is the other basic skill for defending yourself. He said that the reason some women get attacked is because they are surprised and freeze up.
10
| FEBRUARY GLO 2022 |
n e m o W for
Mary Miller is an assistant instructor at Basche’s Martial Arts. She added that it is important to be smart about where you park and don’t travel alone if you can help it. Assailants often prey on people who look like an easy target. She advised to follow your gut instinct and avoid situations if something doesn’t feel right.
Miller became interested in martial arts because she wanted to learn to defend herself. She also doesn’t like regular exercise and wanted a challenge. She said she walked out of her first class feeling empowered. She kept coming back and eventually earned her black belt under Sensei Basche. Beyond confidence, awareness, and being smart about situations, Miller encourages women to learn basic self-defense moves like a front kick. “The goal is for you to get away, not beat the bad guy up,” she said. “You want to create that window of escape.” For further training, Basche’s Martial Arts offers a Ladies Self-Defense class. You can register on the website, www.basches.com. The class is open to anyone ages 10 and up, regardless of ability. Miller insisted that anyone can learn
to defend themselves in some way, even if they can’t walk. She said that they have had a participant attend in a wheelchair before. “If someone wants to learn, Sensei Basche will teach them,” she said. Sensei Basche said that the self-defense class is a good place to start, but that the more training you do, the more you will be able to respond autonomically. “If someone does attack you, it’s all about reflexes,” he said. “And the only way to develop those reflexes is to practice.” Besides the obvious of being able to protect yourself, there are other benefits of learning selfdefense. “You feel good, you look good, you have peace of mind,” said Sensei Basche. “In turn, your confidence will go up.” Miller agreed, and said, “I didn’t start training until I was 43 and my confidence went up because I felt strong and capable.” a
Resource: Basche’s Martial Arts, Fort Wayne, 260.226.1111, basches.com
