any self defense teachers out there?
84569
Try the state police in your state at your local detachment.  Sometimes the state police or other police agencies teach self defense courses for free.
1183940
The classes I went to were pretty lite, but you didn't go there to bake cookies,  I was points sparring and got the littlest person there for an opponent, a 22 year old girl who was scared of getting hit, I didnt want to hit her so she got the first of 2, well I threw one to her midsection and she did a whitebelt middleblock but did not follow through, her arm stopped just at her collarbone and my fist ended in her neck, she stopped and just started bawling like you wouldnt believe.....I felt like total s hit.  \n  Point being, just learn your blocks and do em right and you shouldnt worry about getting hit, its not knitting class.
861940
A lot of good answers above.\n\nIt is important for you to determine your main motivation and goal for wanting to learn a martial art. If it is self defense, esp. for the street, TKD would be better than aikido, but there are more practical arts out there for that (which have been mentioned above). Aikido is a very different style than most arts... no offensive moves (in what I consider the pure forms, there are harder styles), and focuses on relaxation, not tension/ resistance. It has a greater philosophical component, and it takes a long time to learn to react appropriately, since those reactions tend to be contrary to natural instinct. Someone grabs your wrist, the impulse is to tense up and resist the pull, not relax. An instructor said that it would take about 10 years for a student to get to the point to be truly effective in a self defense situation.\n\nI've taken different styles from here and there... ju-jitsu, karate... but hadn't really found one that fit my personality. The goal for me evolved from being practical self defense to wanting to learn a martial art "for the art". I'm a very non-aggressive person. I'm 5'1", and am not going to want to, nor be very effective, in wading in, doing a lot of damage, and get back out, as a lot of hard styles advocate. It just wasn't me. \n\nI found my way to aikido, and that was just the art for me. It is a very philosophical art, which I love. Having no offensive moves fits in well with my personal style, and the art lends itself to people with low centers of balance, so being short is actually a plus. It's a good fit all around for me.\n\nSo it really helps to examine your reasons for learning, and giving different styles out there a try and see what you like and don't like. Good advice from above also in regards to places to study. Be wary of the McDojo's... sit in on classes and get a feel for if the instructor is a good teacher, and does the teaching style fit what you want. If they have large class sizes, how much personal attention do they give to the students... all good things to consider.
711130
LOL...  Well I have certainly come a long ways since TKD.  I mean, my "kick you off your horse style" is still quite effective, but I have more to learn.  I actually went back to my old dojang last night.  haven't been doing TKD in a few weeks.  Everyone asked what the hell i was doing since i was one of the best students there (not ego, just fact).  I told them the new styles that I was learning and they were interested.  I waited through class to the end to spar with some of my friends.\n\nI waited through the 45 minute run around cones drill.  The 30 minutes of Tap dance tag (also known as sparing).  And then got the chance to spar with a few of my friends.  They said that any style was ok.  One of them is a boxer so of course, he just boxed.  He was the only one I had real trouble with.  Hard to get in tight on someone to throw em, if your face keeps getting pounded!  Anyway, I made short work of the TkD "studs" (black belts), and eventually got the boxer to the ground.  \n\nIts funny to watch someones eyes as you go to full mount on em and start to Tee-off on their face!  I spoke with my old master, whom I still consider a really great guy.  I gave him ideas on what to do to turn TKD from Crap to Martial.  He has all the knowledge, the dudes a 4th degree from Korea under the best there, and a 4th degree in Hapkido from the same place.  Skill is NOT something he lacks.  But I told him what people thought about TKD and why i left.  He is making changes to get more reality based training and is now open to cross training.  Who knows.  I just might start to train there again if they mix things up.\n\nP.S - Hey nine... if you ever make it out this way dude.... I'd roll with ya any time!
376438
go to your yellow pages and look at them.  If you want something that will actually teach you how to defend yourself then i would find a place that teaches one of these arts:  \nwing chun\njeet kune do\nmuay thai \nshoot wrestling\nsilat/escrima/kuntao/kali/arnis\nbrazilian jiu-jitsu\nrussian sambo\n\nDon't take anything like karate, aikido, judo, kenpo, tae kwon do, etc...  They are more for show or competitions.  They do not help you to learn how to defend yourself.  My advice is to find a place in the yellow pages and then call them up and ask if you can try it out for a day or two to see if you like it.  Here is a website that shows some really good technique from the styles i mentioned above so you know what you will be getting yourself into:\nhttp://www.afsacademy.com/home.htm\nJust click on the demo video and watch it
104393
It depends, I had a teacher in Fifth grade, I was gonna say acted like a Drill Sergant, but in reality he was much worse.  He would throw books, flip desks, and I even saw him slam a classmate into a wall after school.  Granted I was a problem child and so was the other but if they would have had a camera in that classroom I am sure he would not have been teaching.  In any case he left bystanders in fear.\n\nIn High School I found more of a group mentality, where they behaved like dogs.  Typically it was not the biggest, toughest kids starting fights or picking on people, what I found is the little rats that hang out with the big dog are the problem.  They picked on me because I was usually walking home alone 2 hours or so after school ended because I had a problem with authority.  I made an easy target for 12 or more kids hanging out, the little one would make stupid comments, after ignoring the comments they got physical and started pushing, I continued to ignore for while.  Soon they gathered around, making it clear that I was not going forward without confrontation, what they really wanted was humiliation, not that it isn't humiliating enough stay after school everyday after being kept in the office on suspension, yes everyday.\n\nA couple of them grabbed me and held my arms while one of the smaller one decided he was going to start punching.  Not quite sure what I did to this day that they hated me like that.  After 4 or 5 punches I wriggled my right arm loose grabbed my direct assaulter and head butted him, this was when the big guy stepped in.  He punched me a couple times upside my head, I was hurt pretty bad, so I started attacking eveything and everyone around me.  It was right then that a car load of High School Seniors went by, I didn't know them but they ran up in the middle of everything and stopped the fight.  They told the group that if they wanted to beat me up that they were gonna have to do it one at a time and they were gonna watch to make sure no one else got involved.  After that the bullies had no interest in fighting me, in fact a few years later after I dropped out, I would have been a senior.  I saw a number of the bullies outside of a football game, and one of them made a comment again, I thought for sure that I was going to have to fight someone.  Then low and behold out of the back of the crowd it was the big dog saying you don't wanna mess with him he's Looney Tooney.\n\nSo not always.
547619
Give Choi Kwang Do a try (one month free). It teaches practical street defense, and the instructors are very knowledgeable.\n\nHere's the thing about grappling, they have rules. when your are in a real street the rules don't apply. your attacker will not follow the rules, so niether should you. bite, kick, scream in his ear, do anything and everything to get up and out.\n\nIf you were held up and gun point, martial arts can not help you there. if the guy pulls out a gun, don't be a hero. even the best martial arts are no match for bullets.
818416
i saw a guy who was a total noob to martial arts punch the bag a few times with no real technique (pretty normal for someone with no experience). then he tried to jump kick it, but he was an unusually high jumper. his foot kinda slid off the top of the back and caught in the chains that held up the bag. he was hanging upside down from his ankle and when they lifted him out, he had a big red welt on his foot from the chains. the guy never came back. \n\nhe also was talking to a kid that was 15 and had been studying for several years. he found out the kid (a sophomore) went to the same high school he used to go to. he said "yeah, i played football.... if you ever have someone giving you trouble there, just let me know... " \nthat same night, they sparred lightly (no heavy contact, no face contact) for about 4 miutes. the 15 year old (who was REALLY good at what he was doing) was pretty much going as lightly as he could and the other guy just couldnt keep up. he was sweating, out of breath, and missed every block no matter how easy the other guy went on him.
1035562
I did! These are people too. I absolutely feel that they need to be taught how to be effective socially as well as educationally. I had a student in my first year teaching. He was a fourth grader who everyone warned me about. I was told he got in to fights everyday and I should really watch out for him. Well, I handled him differently than any teacher before me. I asked him what helped him to diffuse? I asked him if he could tell when he was starting to get angry, before he lost his temper. Together we came up with a plan that allowed him to deal with his own temper his own way. Lo and behold he became a straight A student who only got into two fights the whole year!\nWe also did peer counseling in the later elementary grades. Kids brought each other to a panel of their peers to try to talk out their problems. It was a very popular way for the students to make sure their problems were heard and understood. As students enter 4th and 5th grade social problems become a bigger issue and learning to deal with them without telling a teacher was essential. Nobody wants to be a tattletale but they also don't want to get picked on. I watched these kids learn respect and responsibility from peer counseling, it was very exciting!
680754
No i don't do Shui Chiao but i practise Wing Chun. But i am wanting to study more of a grappling art such as yours. Or maybe chin na. But preferably Judo. I feel in a combat scenario people with a more grappling based art are more likely to come of well. You didn't mention whether you did Shui Chiao. Or whether you were just looking for a teacher. May i suggest something if you are looking for a teacher. Buy Robert W Smiths Chinese Boxers Masters & Methods. In there he states that Shui Chiao resembles an early ju-jitsu. And he had a test with a Taiwanese wrestler and won. And would have won easier if they hadn't restricted the moves he learn't in Judo. I know it doesn't sound as cool. But Judo sounds like a really effiecient type of fighting. Plus the conditioning is really intense. I work with a guy who was a big deal in Judo and he is really tough. Just thought i might let you know.
688426
I can tell you what I've read in the past.  Always, ALWAYS pay attention to your surroundings.  Never be caught off guard.  Be ready for just in case.  You are less likely to be approached if you show that you are alert.  I hope that you have some sort of self defense training.  If not, check with your local Recreation Center.  They usually offer something reasonably priced.  Even if you only attend for a month, that is one month more you have under your belt than what you had.  I was strangled, smothered and stabbed when I was 10, so I made a point to make sure my daughters had self defense, even if they hated it.  I hope this has helped.
54660
i would suggest Krav Maga, which is Isreali Army self-defense...profieciency can be achieved relatively quickly, esp. compared to more "traditional" martial arts.\ni think the real question is, what are you trying to learn?  Do you wanna know how to beat people up?  Why?  After enough time in study, you can learn how to start fights before they start, and how to not be in a position where violent situations occur in the first place.  You CAN learn how to beat people up in little time, but, if you stick it out, you'll learn how not to need to.  Good luck on your search!
562005
Try taking Dale Carnegie Training, they teach some awesome techniques.\n954 771 8477 - Speak to Scott Garvis, President
1073744
This is all I found in Michigan.\n\nWarriors for Christ\n\nProf. Steward at (269) 908-1673 or email wfcwado@hotmail.com.\n \nOr visit our website at:\nwww.wfckarate.org \n\nBrightside Community Church\n8175 Broadmoor SE,\nCaledonia, MI 49316\nSee Map\n\nThey could probably lead you to other. Go to www.smartpages.com and look under martial arts instruction in Michigan. Hope this helps!
770884
In my dojo, we've heard this rumor also.  While we have not verified the information, we decided as a class that whoever started the rumor had a good point.  As such, now when practicing weapons takeaway techniques, we either throw the weapon from the area in the case of a knife, or lock and load the weapon at the opponent  in the case of a gun.  This gets us into the habit, at least, of keeping the weapon away from the attacker once we've got control of it.
683927
If you need some practice, I will volunteer!!!  My shoulder has been killing me!  My former roommate is an RMT.  She passed on the first time.
158710
Uh see killing people that bother you is not always the solution. Besides, as said before, breaking a neck is very difficult to do. However, it seems like you just want to learn how to protect yourself.\n\nSign up for a martial arts class with a respected teacher. Remember, deadly force is a responsibility. You use it only when your life or the lives of others are in immediate danger. Otherwise, that's what the police are for.\n\nI reccommend jiujitsu, it's very diverse. It's sort of a mixture of karate and judo and aikido, so you get throwing, pressure points, and simple kicks, punches, and holds. It is hard to find a good teacher though...lots of people are fakes.\n\nTaekwondo is very simple but very strong. \n\nAikido is all throwing.\n\nKarate is mostly hands.