Have there been times when you have felt threatened, and wished you had strong self-defense skills to protect yourself from a potential violent attack?

The sad reality is that we live in a brutal world which makes learning self-defense almost a non-negotiable, if you want to feel safe and have the confidence of being able to protect yourself against any physical threats that might confront you, your family, or your friends.

However, training in self-defense presents you with many benefits other than improving your personal security. If you are thinking about learning self-defense, please keep reading below.

7 Reasons You Should Learn Self Defense

Self-defense refers to the act of protecting yourself from violent, physical attacks. Self-defense is also actually considered a legal defense in a court of law and is defined as 'any steps taken by a person that they believe is necessary for their own protection'. 

Unlike other areas of law, self-defense isn’t reliant on an equation or specific approach but depends upon what facts exist in each situation, with decisions left up to juries who will pass judgement if the techniques were lawfully used as part of self-defense. 

This in itself shows how broad the definition of self-defense is, and therefore, how many different types of self-defense system there are. With this in mind, let’s take a brief look at the more popular forms of self-defense.

Self-Defense systems 

As discussed above, you never know when you will find yourself in a dangerous situation. Self-defense should be treated as an integral skill that one should possess for life’s uncertainties. With this in mind, here are some of the self-defense options that are easy to learn and use: 

1. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

Mixed Martial Arts is the term used to describe a popular combat sport, that combines striking, grappling and submission skills, forming a comprehensive set of techniques that can be adapted into a diverse combination of self-defense skills. 

2. Kung Fu

With its focus on technique and strategic planning, Kung Fu is an excellent style of fighting that utilises kicks and punches, knees and elbows, grappling techniques and submission skills. Kung Fu can be used for self-defense and is also an excellent exercise for conditioning.

3. Krav Maga 

This is a system where individuals learn how to defend themselves by neutralising threats quickly and efficiently. Krav Maga literally means "contact combat" in Hebrew and is a practical self-defense system developed for real-world situations.

4. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

BJJ is a grappling-based martial art focused on ground fighting, leverage, and submissions, allowing smaller practitioners to control and defeat larger opponents.

5. Muay Thai

Muay Thai is a system very similar to kickboxing. Also known as Thai boxing or the “Art of Eight Limbs,” this combat sport uses punches, kicks, elbows, knees, and clinching techniques for striking and self-defense.

6. Boxing

Boxing is the sport or practice of fighting with fists, wearing padded gloves in a roped square ring, according to prescribed rules.

7. Judo 

This type of self-defense relies on grappling. It comprises sweeps, locks, and throws. 

8. Karate

Karate is a system of unarmed combat using the hands and feet to deliver and block blows with hands, feet and elbows, widely practiced in modern times as a competitive sport. This includes several styles and branches. Some of these styles of Karate include; 

• Kyokushin

• Shotokan 

• Goju-Ryu

  
  

9. Taekwondo 

Taekwondo literally means "The Way of the Foot and the Hand," and is a martial art that combines physical techniques with a philosophy of discipline, respect, and personal development. This style is heavily reliant on kicking, however, its overreliance on the legs requires high flexibility and makes it less effective than some other styles of self-defense.

10. Combat Sambo

This is very similar to MMA. It combines grappling, clinches, kicks, and wrestling.

7 Reasons you should Learn Self-Defense

Self-defense is a problem-solving skill. From the thousands of viral videos on social media, it is evident that individuals who do not have self-defense skills easily become victims of crime. With this in mind, the following are the top 7 reasons why you should learn self-defense: 

1. Gain Confidence

Without well trained self-defense skills, you are likely to be less able to defend yourself when confronted with a physical attack. Self-defense classes can help you gain a massive level of assertiveness and self-confidence, that can also benefit other areas of your life.

2. Self-Discipline

Through martial arts training, your self-discipline is enhanced. Aside from showing up to training regularly, and practicing as often as possible, you also learn how to control and manage pain and how to use your mind to overcome difficult or challenging situations. 

3. Street Smarts

Self-defense can also make you more ‘street smart’. It ensures that you are more aware of your surroundings when you are out in public, and more likely to respond quickly from the shock of being attacked, reacting appropriately in these situations.

4. Better Health

Learning martial arts involves a lot of vigorous movements. It automatically acts as a fitness routine. It is great for your health since it engages the whole body and helps your body and mind to connect.

5. Goal Setting

Self-defense classes require you to set goals that you must work hard to achieve. It makes you develop goal-setting skills, which you can also translate to other parts of your life. 

6. Physical Conditioning

Training in martial arts help you to withstand physical impact due to improved physical conditioning. This helps to make you stronger in many ways, including the ability to become resistant to certain illnesses due to a stronger immune system.

7. Awareness

Self-defense classes help Individuals to improve focus and be aware of their surroundings. It requires you to focus and control your body simultaneously and become aware of areas needing improvement.

Learn Self-Defense and Martial Arts at Wu Xing Dao 

At Wu Xing Dao Kung Fu, we take time to help you understand the different types of martial arts, and their advantages and disadvantages. This allows you to make an informed decision when choosing the martial arts style, you would like to focus on in our self-defense classes.

We ensure that every trainee learns how to defend themselves effectively as well as enjoy the many other benefits that martial arts offer.

Please call us today on 0410 249 217 or leave a message and we’ll get back to you ASAP.