Exercise, self-defense and crime

Women are realizing that we need to know how to protect themselves, and not rely on the law, our spouse, brother, father, etc, as our sole method of protection. The statistical irony is that the ones we expect to be our protectors sometimes turn out to be our attackers.

Data from the Crime and Problem Analysis (CAPA) Branch of the Trinidad & Tobago Police Service (TTPS) revealed that there were approximately 11,441 reports relating to domestic violence incidents between 2010 and 2015. Approximately 75 per cent of these reports involved female victims. During the same period, there were 131 domestic violence related deaths of which 56 per cent were female.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) published an IDB Series on Crime and Violence in the Caribbean in 2016. The study showed that the number of sexual offences reported and detected within each police division from 2009 to 2013 for this period included 3,590 reported rapes, acts of incest, and other sexual offences (apart from serious indecency and indecent assault). These statistics support the need for women to become empowered and learn self-defense techniques. The reality is, if we expect things to change, we need to be the principal architects in effecting that change.

However, the knowledge that we should do something to protect ourselves competes with the already overburdened daily work and family schedules. Finding time in busy schedules for exercise and learning self-defense techniques may just be too much for your overburdened schedules to take.

Notwithstanding, there is a way of combining the need for physical exercise and your personal protection.

Safety and exercise can be combined when one embarks on a self-defense workout. Not only will a woman feel safer and more confident, they will be almost fearless when out in public. Additionally, it can be an enjoyable form of stress relief and give a woman the ultimate attribute of a well-toned physique.

Why cCrime can happen to anyone at any time. At some point in your life as a woman you will flash across a predator’s (mainly male) radar as prey. You may be attacked. Learning how to defend yourself can determine if you live or die.

Be the role model for the next generation. We tell our daughters they can be anything they want. How about safe? Lead by example and demonstrate strength by standing up for yourselves and by being able to defend yourselves.

Become empowered. Many women who may be shy, can become empowered and discard their victim persona. They can blossom into determined, strong, empowered women who are ready to take control of their own lives.

Develop toned muscles and improve your overall fitness: Self-defense classes do not just focus on being emotionally prepared for an attacker but also being physically prepared, which is also equally important. Through learning self-defense, you will build and maintain your muscle and increase your endurance. An intense warmup to get your blood circulating and adrenaline pumping, followed by a variety of fitness techniques, will improve your overall body condition while you learn important critical selfdefense techniques.

Improve your balance. Balance not only includes the physical balance of your core muscles but also a mental balance by improving your focus. Self-defense classes teach you how to focus on your target while you control your body. Learn self-discipline. In order to learn and grow with your self-defense abilities, you have to develop your self-discipline. You have to be motivated and dedicated to the practice. This learnt trait will carry over to other aspects of your life.

SeKrav Maga: Developed for the Israeli military, Krav Maga is designed to teach extremely effective self-defense in the shortest possible time, according to the Krav Maga Global Academy. It’s a realistic approach to personal security, plus it’s an excellent form of workout. Whether your priority is self-defense or fitness, it’s a perfect mix of the two.

Kickboxing: Kickboxing usually draws people looking for a good cardiovascular workout. This form of self-defense uses punches and kicks which can be applicable in real-world scenarios. In some instances, self-defense tends to take the backburner to exercise in these classes, for example Tae Bo classes.

Taekwondo: This ancient form of martial art was developed over 1,000 years ago. “It is a nonaggressive and ethical system of self-defense,” says the American Taekwondo Association. It’s a “striking, kicking” form of martial arts that focuses on speed and agility and breath control.

Capoeira: If you’re more into dancing than fighting, Capoeira might be for you. The Brazilian technique is a mix between martial arts and acrobatics. Capoeira involves quick, complex movements and requires speed, power and flexibility. It improves agility, power/ strength, and speed.