Self Care + Beauty: Self-defense Basics For Women

SELF-DEFENSE BASICS for WomenMary 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 Steve Basche, Master Instructor and the owner situations if something doesn’t feel right. of Basche’s Martial Arts, says self-defense starts with projecting confidence. In fact, he said it is Miller became interested in martial arts because the most important thing you can do to help she wanted to learn to defend herself. She also avoid a threatening situation. doesn’t like regular exercise and wanted a challenge. She said she walked out of her first class “You should always look like you know where feeling empowered. She kept coming back and you’re going,” he said. “Walk a little bit faster eventually earned her black belt under Sensei than usual, chest out, chin up, look straight Basche. ahead, and use your peripheral vision to stay aware of your surroundings.” Beyond confidence, awareness, and being smart about situations, Miller encourages women to Sensei Basche opened his business in 1997 but learn basic self-defense moves like a front kick. has been practicing martial arts most of his life. “The goal is for you to get away, not beat the He started training at a very young age with his bad guy up,” she said. “You want to create that mother. “I love what I do,” he said. “I live and window of escape.” breathe martial arts.” For further training, Basche’s Martial Arts offers According to Basche, awareness is the other a Ladies Self-Defense class. You can register basic skill for defending yourself. He said on the website, www.basches.com. The class that the reason some women get attacked is is open to anyone ages 10 and up, regardless because they are surprised and freeze up. of ability. Miller insisted that anyone can learn

By Jennie Renner Violent crime is an unfortunate reality of the world to defend themselves in some way, even if they we live in today. As women, we know that we can’t walk. She said that they have had a particishould be prepared to defend ourselves, but it isn’t pant attend in a wheelchair before. something we like to think about. “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