Since the beginning of time, people have had to protect themselves in order to survive. However, what was only a threat then, is a harsh reality for the average human now. Each day, more than a handful of crimes or violent acts are reported on the evening news. As incidents such as murder, rape, burglary, abduction and shootings occur more frequently in the community, people are beginning to realize that crime does not discriminate. Children, teens, adults, and the elderly all need to become conscious of their personal safety.

The question is: how can people do this? Self-defense. The martial arts improves both mental and physical qualities, many of which lend themselves to practical protection and serve as effective methods of self-defense. Many of the arts originated as fighting systems and were used to triumph over enemies and physical threats. In modern times, martial artists train mentally as well, gaining the discipline to essentially overcome their fears.

Explore with us self-defense, how it fits in the context of martial arts, some safety precautions you can take, and some basic self-defense skills and moves. Lastly, martial arts students share first-hand experiences in which they used their martial arts knowledge to defend themselves in unsafe situations.