A personal message from Sensei David about Self Defense
I hope that you, your friends and loved ones never have to experience a violent attack or aggressive behavior leading up to an attack in your lifetime. Unfortunately, according the Bureau of Justice Statistics (https://bjs.ojp.gov/document/cv22.pdf)
The violent victimization rate in the United States is approximately 24 people per 1000 ages 12 and older.
- Violent victimization includes: rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault.
- The FBI reported 1.23 million violent crimes in a year. It is estimated that only 42% of violent crimes are reported. So the number is much higher.
- Only 10% of violent crimes involves a fire arm.
- 5% of students ages 12-18 reported they had been afraid of an attack or violence at school.
There is Japanese saying that it is better to be a Warrior in a garden than a gardner in a war. Think about it, we spend thousands of dollars on insurance products "just in case" something bad happens. House insurance, car insurance, life insurance, etc.. all this means is that we are prepared for the worst and hope for the best.
We should apply this same logic to our own personal protection. The same way insurance gives us a "peace of mind" so will learning how to defend yourself.
I started my martial arts training at 12 years old. Besides competitive matches and sparring in Karate studios, I have been the recipient of verbal and physical aggression many times in my life. Yes, I was always nervous when it happened, but never caught off guard and always felt comfort in knowing how to deal with an aggressor. A response should always start with an attempt a de-escalating the situation or walking away safely. But that did not always work and I had no choice but to protect myself and on a few occasions others around me.
Consider this small investment in yours, your family and your friends safety. Lets face it.. bad things happen to good people. My passion is to prepare our good people.