Self Defense Reflection

Self Defense reflection

In the Kia Manawanui syndicate, we have two programs running for all students. Every Wednesday the year 7 and 8 boys have Tai Chi while the girls have Self Defense. Yesterday we had our second session of self defense and our instructor's name is Julie.

Self defense is protecting ourselves from others, doing anything and everything it takes to make a person stop, being confident and getting ready to make an act, and being clear about your limits. Self defense is for girls and women regardless size and age. When you do self defense you learn different skills to keep yourself safe in any situation you are in, in your community. Self defense shows that all girls and women are strong and not only physically but through our voices, our bodies, and our minds.

Self defense is very important because it will keep you safe from any danger and any harm that is caused. An example of this is Julie was reading us a few stories where self defense actually helped some people's lives and of the stories were this woman was walking home and as she was walking she got pulled into an alleyway by a man and to defend herself she kicked his shin and ran to safety. The man was then reported to police. I think these stories are very inspiring because they show others how self defense is very important!

Here is some advice you can use if you are in this situation:

• If you are going for a walk and you see some people that look suspicious and you don't feel safe, walk pass confidently and act/pretend you don't fear the people.
• Always trust your instincts because if you feel something is wrong and you don't leave, something bad could happen and it will all happen because you didn't trust your instincts.
• If somebody touches you and it makes you feel uncomfortable and it feels yuck use whatever power you have to let others notice you are in this kind of situation.
• The sky's the limit, do whatever you can to keep yourself safe!

Here is a link  to stories of experienced self defense students.

Here are some photos from our self defense lesson: