 |
 |
| The world today is a violent one...Women shouldn't take the Arts just for health or something to do. Many believe they won't need them and that the chances are slim that anything will ever happen. Well it only takes one time for someone to take your life. And if you are never in a situation that is wonderful... BUT if that one time does happen, you then have the edge to live another day. Your life is worth it. Some women actually believe that guns or pepper spray will help..or even quick fix self-defense programs done in two weeks are good enough. It seems that many women need the Arts today since our society is no less dangerous than times past. The way things are they may in fact be more dangerous because of how we, as people, deal with crime and our views on it. Some laws even tie the hands of honest people leaving us little choice. It is scary to think that assault, domestic violence, and even rape are common place. Even more so is that the nature of these crimes victems are scared psychologically as well as physically... and those are considered lucky. Martial Arts are by no means the answer to every single aspect of those type of situations. File reports with police if need be and make use of every other avenue to protect yourself now and in the future. Martial Arts, however will give a woman an edge. She won't have to carry a weapon as much as she has become one, she IS the edge. Guns can malfunction, run out of ammuntition, or be taken away and even used against you. Unless you have had tactical training with firearms, which would include how to handle a weapon in a stressful situation, then it does you no good. If you use it to intimidate and have no intention of shooting a person then more than likely it will be used against you. Pepper spray doesn't always work on people. Some people are immune. You'd be in trouble again because like Firearms it can be taken away and used against you. Those quick fix self-defense courses that are given in two weeks to a month only give you a false sense of security and can put you in a worse position. There are no quick fixes to learning tactics and strategy. No overnight lessons for techniques that are proven or that are instinctive. Both Firearms and sprays are only tools. And those quick courses only give you a hand full of techniques that are not instinctive yet... providing that they really work. To use them effectively you would still need dicipline, focus, calm, courage, will, and intent. In time only will that become instinct. There is no substitute for the Arts. The things you would have are confidence, courage, a focused mind, will, tranquility and clarity in a potential situation. With you are your hands and feet... these are your tools. Your body and mind...your weapon. It can not be taken from you. It can not malfunction or even run out of ammunition. Your body is your Weapon and is with you always. And not only embody those things for hazardous situations... but for becoming a better person. A balanced person. On this site the essential information is geared for everyone, including women. In the "PRINCIPLES" and "HOW TO CHOOSE..." sections help explain what Arts would tend to fit most women. Arts that would lean twards soft and internal would be more advantageous to women. This doesn't mean the Arts you may choose can't have the other principles. Still, soft and internal Arts are more beneficial. Again be sure to read ALL the essential information to help guide you in choosing an Art and how to train. May you find inner strength... RAPE STATISTICS: Cease Abuse, Rape, & Domestic Violence SUGGESTED READING Street Sense for Women: How to Stay Safe in a Violent World-Louis R./Jr. Mizell BERKLEY Sharp Spear, Crystal Mirror: Martial Arts in Women's Lives-Stephanie T. Hoppe PARK STREET The Way of the River: Adventures and Meditations of a Woman Martial Artist-BK Loren THE LYON PRESS Living the Martial Way-Forrest E. Morgan BARRCADE BOOKS MAGAZINES SELF DEFENSE for WOMEN ( BLACKBELT'S MARTIAL ARTS MAGAZINE FOR WOMEN ) There have been many contributions to Martial Arts by women: Cynthia Rothrock, Kathy Long, Diana Lee Inosanto (pictured above), Dana Hee, and so on. Even styles developed by women such as the Art of Wing Chun made known to the world by Bruce Lee. Women have the same ability to make Martial Arts a part of themselves as well as contribute...like anyone. |
 |
| WOMEN & THE MARTIAL ARTS |
| -SILAT/KALI- |
 |
| "I come to you with only Karate, empty hands, I have no weapons, but should I be forced to defend myself, my principles or my honor, should it be a matter of life or death, of right or wrong; then here are my weapons, Karate, my empty hands." -Ed Parker, Father of American Kenpo |
 |
|
| Suggested Styles for Women |
|
 |
 |