Awareness is a critical aspect of self-defense. I have written about awareness in other blogs
in the past (May 2008 and August 2009).
For many reasons, I think it is important to bring this topic back
up. Two of the biggest reasons is there
are more and more petty crimes (e.g., smart phone stolen out of people’s hands
on streets) and more random violent acts (e.g., The Knockout Game) than ever
before.
Using your skills learned in class is a last
resort. Let me state that again. Using your skills learned in class is a last
resort.
If you are aware of your surroundings and can avoid
a confrontation that is the best way to “win”.
Awareness does not mean being paranoid every time you step outside or
inside your house; it means being alert, noticing your surroundings and the
people around you. By being aware, you will
stay safer. Those people who look and
act as if they are aware of their surroundings are less likely to be a target.
Being aware also means being conscious and have an
understanding of human behavior (body language, tone of voice, heavier
breathing, etc.) and understand when that behavior is a potential threat to you
or the people you are with.
It is simply being aware of the energy/intention of
the people around you. Is their energy
warm and friendly or feel harsh or directed?
If you are waking down the street staring at your
smart phone, texting someone, are you aware?
Are you an easy target?
If you walk into a bar in a neighborhood you are
unfamiliar with and do not notice the people (are there some loud, obnoxious
people there that have had too much to drink?), the atmosphere of the room and
where all the exits are, are you being aware?
If you get on public transit and immediately put
your nose in a book and are not aware of who gets on, what their energy is
like, are you being aware?
If you are on travel and not aware of the people
next to you while you are carrying large amounts of cash, are you being aware? Are you staying safe? Are you an easy target?
Awareness is not being paranoid or “looking for
trouble”. It is simply being more
conscious of your surroundings and the energy of the people around you. Awareness will keep you safe regardless of
where you are at or where you are going.
For more information on awareness, I again recommend
the following books:
1.
Surviving Armed Assaults: A Martial
Artists Guide to Weapons, Street Violence, and Countervailing Force by Lawrence
Kane, 2006
2.
Strong on Defense by Sanford Strong
3.
The Gift of Fear by Gavin De
Regards,
Kelly
“There
must be awareness at every moment: getting up in the morning, working, eating,
going to bed.” Taisen Deshimaru
(1914-1982), Japanese Sōtō Zen Buddhist
