My daughter and I took a self defense class and love it. I have learned alot. I am a very aware person but nothing prepared me for it. We left the studio exhausted and exhilirated. THe moves are simple but true.

Did you know that taking a newspaper and rolling it up can hurt someone? It can. By poking them in the chest or throat can slow them down and leave them gasping for air. The same goes for a walking stick or cane. NEVER SWAT OR WIP LIKE...

ALWAYS POKE! We will be going back for more! Loved the class!

Great topic! There has been ALOT more break ins here, especially out in the country.
My Dad has always taught us seld defense, and how to shoot a gun,lol.
I didnt know about the newspaper, but I always am ready to use my keys....

Remeber some of that from years ago. Never punch in the face, doesn't do much. If your gonna hit them, go for the sternum area, knocks the wind right out of them.

And the reason it doesn't do much is because the bones in the face are thick and strong. You will do more damage to your hands breaking bones than hurting the head.

Sometimes too is to for the ears too...swat them with the newspaper, magazine or stick. Their ears will be ringing and unbalance them. The instructor explained that it feels worse than an ear ache or ear infection. And that I can relate too.

My DD is 21. See needs all the advantage she can get now a days. You never know.

Walking across the parking lot I always thread my keys through my fingers. If anybody grabs you from behind all you have to do is strike back and the keys will get them--of course they have to be on your side where you are gripping your keys.

This too!!! But hold them like you are ready to put them in the lock. You can scratch them, poke them, stab them too. If you hold the key in between your fingers you also have a chance of hurting yourself.

I took 2 classes in college, one regular, and one ground fighting, they were both fun and challenging, especially the ground fighting one where you're pinned and have to get your attacker off of you, I just wish i remember more of it

First defence, is know what's going on around you at all times.

Stay off the cell phone while in parking lots. A cell phone is a must for anyone who drives.

Also, for single women especially, get receipts for every purchase. Using a credit-debit card can also be useful in case something bad would ever happen. Also get receipts, even for those small, less than $5 purchases, everything.

Be careful when typing in pin information these days. Cover your hand as you enter the information. Theives are recording your movements from far away with the zoom lens camera capabilities.

Never let someone in your home, even it they say they have an emergency. Call for help or the police for them.

Talk with older family members, keep daily contact with them.
Stay in contact with neighbors. Watch out for your neighbors. Check on them if you haven't seen them out for awhile.

If you see someone suspicious in your neighborhood, call the police. The one time I didn't, I found out later the young man was conning for money and had an outstanding warrant. He was picked up the day after I didn't call them.

Self defense is not always physical.

Some, but what I learned sure did help some years ago when a guy grabbed me in a dark parking lot. I'd had some self defense lessons with police trainers, had a pro wrestler boy friend, brother was an Army unarmed hand to hand combat trainer and they all gave me some nasty ideas. Females are trained from birth to be "nice" which shaves off too many seconds to get past the "Nice" instincts.
Plus, I was told when someone grabbed your purse, don't pull it back, whirl and head butt them if it contains your life's savings. Hurt them hard, but the best defense is to scream and run like hell. NEVER carry large amounts of cash, especially in a purse.
Best of all, tuck your wallet in an inside pocket, add one to a jacket or vest, then you can let them have the purse and get out of there fast.

Good pointers!!