In today's world, there are many reasons why women would be concerned with their personal safety. Unfortunately, there are just as many self-defense courses advertised for customers. How can you, as a woman or a concerned man, find the right program without spending time and money on false assurances? All it takes is a little research and a lot of common sense (or women's intuition) to make sure the program you're interested in will actually work in a real life situation. 


The first thing to consider, when choosing a self defense program, are the claims its advertising. There is no way that a 20 dollar/two week course can prepare you for any dangerous situation. As in most things, you get what you pay for. Many courses do not take into consideration the realities of life, in regards to self defense. That cool karate move probably won't work in a dark alley where your assailant doesn't care about your brown belt. 


Talk to the instructor and ask exactly how these training sessions can be applied in real life. Most good and serious instructors will be honest about how their techniques work in dangerous situations. If they refuse to consider your questions, then it's likely that they don't really teach self defense; they just teach the skill. There IS a major difference between the training studio and the street. 


The course to be considered, should include some major points--it should deal with realistic situations and it should encourage the mental mindset necessary to deal with these situations. While the studio may provide a suitable training atmosphere, the truth is that many assaults take place in very different circumstances. Your instructor should deal with these concerns and provide defense stategies for many different scenarios. 


Hands on training is vital to any self defense course.You cannot measure your reaction or your strength in these situations unless you have actually participated in a physical confrontation. Discussion and practice are important to any course, but it all comes down to how you deal with the attacker in a dark alley or brightly lit street; not how you answer all the oral questions in your class. 


You do not have to be a kickboxer or a boxer to defend yourself, nor do you have to be in perfect physical condition to pursue a self defense course. Your instructor should be able to adapt the course to your size, shape, or weight. All types of women should, and can, defend themselves with a properly taught course. 


Fancy weapons, such as mace and small batons, should not be pushed on you, the customer, in the process of signing up or receiving self defense training. If any are, head for the door. A good self defense course will instruct you in how to use commonplace items if need be; not fancy items that you will probably never get a chance to use. Remember, the goal of many courses is to ensure your survival, not the apprehension and detention of your attacker. Your life is worth more than a wallet or a purse. Your priority should be to escape and give the police an accurate description of your assailant, not for you to take the law into your own hands. The instructor should emphasize this as well as providing common sense tips on traveling safely. 


Again, you get what you pay for. Most classes should last at least a few months, if not longer with frequent chances for you to maintain your defensive edge. Like driving, self defense instruction can only get better with practice. If you take a course and expect it to last the rest of your life, you might be making a horrible mistake. Many if not all of these courses provide opportunities for you to retrain and learn new techniques over time. 


Do not be dazzled by flashy trophies and plaques on the walls when you go looking for a studio. While many martial arts work well in the dojo, the street environment is a totally different atmosphere. Any course worth the money will take this into consideration. 


In the end, your self defense course can only be judged by you. If it meets your needs and addresses your concerns, then it's good for you. Again, what works for one person may not work for another so be careful when giving out recommendations. But in the end, your personal safety is what counts --and a little research goes a long way in making sure you feel safe and secure, not only in the course but also on the streets.