[slynn]

Sooooo I'm moving a few states away at the end of next summer, to Los Angeles from a small town. I know big cities aren't as bad as people say... but still, I wouldn't know what to do if someone ever attacked me or threatened me, etc., even where I live.

I'm terrified of the thought of being unable to protect myself and I feel vulnerable when I'm out and about on my own, so I plan on taking a self defense class so I feel like I can take care of myself.

Has anyone here taken one before? Did you feel more secure afterward?

[angel_cutie]

lol~

i havnt but i kinda wish i do
cuz then i'd excersise more and not
spend so much time on the computer sitting on my butt ^^"""

like martial arts or somehing like taekwondo?
(haha would be so good for me,im so weak T^T)

[Makaveli]

Just take up a martial art instead of a "self-defense" class.
A self-defense class is only once or a couple times at best and doesn't
prepare you adequately to use those skills like it's an instinct.
In martial arts you hammer the skill in so many times that it becomes
pretty much a natural reflex. I'd recommend kickboxing or Muay Thai.

[scotty]

I would say that you wouldn't really need to take self defence classes for Los Angeles.
Los Angeles isn't really that bad as people say it is unless you are moving into the downtown LA area.

If worst comes to worst just carry around mace.

If you don't mind me asking what city are you moving to in LA?

[slynn]

Just take up a martial art instead of a "self-defense" class.
A self-defense class is only once or a couple times at best and doesn't
prepare you adequately to use those skills like it's an instinct.
In martial arts you hammer the skill in so many times that it becomes
pretty much a natural reflex. I'd recommend kickboxing or Muay Thai.

I wish I had the time for something like that but I don't. Thanks for the advice though.

I would say that you wouldn't really need to take self defence classes for Los Angeles.
Los Angeles isn't really that bad as people say it is unless you are moving into the downtown LA area.

If worst comes to worst just carry around mace.

If you don't mind me asking what city are you moving to in LA?

Yeah, like I said, something can happen anywhere. I just want to be prepared, and also importantly, feel confident living on my own for the first time.

I'm undecided where in LA. Right now I'm thinking Hawthorne. Wherever I end up, it'll just be temporary until I get settled down there and can choose with more personal experience of the area.

[conzerz]

i took one in gym class last year. and the test in the end was this guy came in and like tried to tackle us one by one. it was really scary T_T

but i forget everything i was taught. all i remember is when ur walking alone at nite / day, carry your keys with you and put it like in between your fingers. if someone creeps up on you, SLASH THEM IN THE FACE but if its your friend.. oh god. hahaa thats all i remember

[~Sw33tz~]

took it
it was practically compulsory in our all girl school.
it was all the ways to hurt your attacker, how to get out of a hold, how to fall and everything.

quite useful, but never used it in real situations... but at least i know some...
then we learnt some tae-kwon-do so it wasn't too bad...

it was more fun that anything!

[dafleur]

i took one in gym class last year. and the test in the end was this guy came in and like tried to tackle us one by one. it was really scary T_T

but i forget everything i was taught. all i remember is when ur walking alone at nite / day, carry your keys with you and put it like in between your fingers. if someone creeps up on you, SLASH THEM IN THE FACE but if its your friend.. oh god. hahaa thats all i remember

i took one as part of a P.E. requirement in undergrad and same as you, i've already forgotten most of what they taught me. unless you're constantly going those routines so they become second nature, i think that most people would just clam up and panic.

[EHNerJI]

uhhh i took a class in grade.. 6/7?
and then last year in phys.ed/health we learned some other stuff =/
i also forgot most of the stuff too.. x: LOL.
sucks ~.~;; well, i got a book on it.. somewhere -.-
tells you how to escape from someone if they're grabbing you..
(specific to different parts of your body)
and if they have a weapon, what to do...
and how to use random objects as weapons for self defense ahha X:

[WildSevenGirl]

._. Uh, keeping your keys in your fingers don't always work 'cause you might end up hurting yourself. >_<.

As for the self-defense thing, I have never taken one before. [I'm doing kumdo right now, but I don't think the skills in that could be used for defense, 'cause no one carries around a shinai and bashes people that tries to mug 'em. xDDD It's good for building up stamina and strength, however.] I just carry a jackknife with me whenever I go out.

And of course, if you DO get attacked, don't freak out and whatnot. Scream your head off, aim between the legs, [run if you can, though someone like me wouldn't 'cause I'd want to ldsafjaskfd the idiot that tried to attack me >_>], and um.... yeah.

xD

[loveabella♥]

My school was teaching that in the Physical Education class AFTER I already finished me two years required X __ X
I think it would've been fun and helpful if they taught it before. But my sister carries pepper spray disguised as a pen lol. (:

[Flicksityy]

If a guy tries to touch you just kick them in the balls, that's the main self defense I need.

[TVSJ18]

^
what is someone is ontop of you, do you kick thier balls? what if someone traps you into a car, do you kick thier balls? what if, it's a female. it still hurts to be kicked there, but not as effective. it's very easy to say, kick them where it hurts, but, it's over used. THe man is able to guess that you are gonna make that move and maybe grab your leg, and bleh.



lol I had to take self-defence cuse of gym.
it was quite fun and informative.
=3= they didn't only tell us do this, do that.
they also told us who they target, and why etc.
=\ plus, ways to help us get out of situaltions we would have never thought of.
some of you may say you forget, but it's good to know.
you might remember once it happens to you.
I know I remember some, like how to get someone off of you when they are ontop of you(very important, cuse it happens often), or if someone traps you in a car.
n_n it was just a fun experience and good knowledge.

[brian032]

Get a 642 or a PM9 and a concealed weapons license. It's smaller than the average hand and looks like a wallet if put in your back pocket. I used to carry one when I took night classes last semester.

[mikomi]

I took 8 years of Taekwondo+5 years of weapons during those 8 years and 2 years of american boxing. Through all this, nothing really prepares you for getting attacked better than experience-like practicing with your friends, have them sneak up on you when you are not expecting it because you may know what to do when you are aware, but when you are attacked, you are not expecting it. Your reaction and your reaction time will be completely different- trust me I know this for a fact. My first reaction, bend forward and bend my knees so they cant push me over or lift me up.

^
what is someone is ontop of you, do you kick thier balls? what if someone traps you into a car, do you kick thier balls? what if, it's a female. it still hurts to be kicked there, but not as effective. it's very easy to say, kick them where it hurts, but, it's over used. THe man is able to guess that you are gonna make that move and maybe grab your leg, and bleh.



lol I had to take self-defence cuse of gym.
it was quite fun and informative.
=3= they didn't only tell us do this, do that.
they also told us who they target, and why etc.
=\ plus, ways to help us get out of situaltions we would have never thought of.
some of you may say you forget, but it's good to know.
you might remember once it happens to you.
I know I remember some, like how to get someone off of you when they are ontop of you(very important, cuse it happens often), or if someone traps you in a car.
n_n it was just a fun experience and good knowledge.

then go for the neck! palm to adams apple.

[felinius]

Get a 642 or a PM9 and a concealed weapons license. It's smaller than the average hand and looks like a wallet if put in your back pocket. I used to carry one when I took night classes last semester.

From what I understand, CCW are hard to get in California, and since OP is from out of California, will not be able to get one for California. (Cali doesn't accept out of state licenses)

Anyways -- guns are impractical if you don't know how to use them. OP, just take a few self-defense classes and choose to live in a nicer area. California is just like Washington, with bad parts and good parts (with more bad parts since there are more people, lol)

[spixder]

It is never a good idea to "fight/defend" against thugs. The best thing that you can do is join a gym to get fit so that if something bad does happen u can gtfo asap.

[joie.de.vivre]

yes...in middle school...it wasn't fun ><

[KateLove]

In HS. Haha. It was fun, ...

"Head Butt!
Foot Stamp
Testicle Seize" >.< !!

& I got to "beat up" a cop, haha. Knocked him right off his feet.

[``j&.]

i took kung fu before for about a year
it was fun and got me more fit, but i honestly learned nothing about real self defense hahah

then sophomore of hs, we had a self defense unit in pe, it was fun too but again,
i don't feel like i really learned anything of value :|

if you're worried about your safety, just be smart and safe. and try to live in a good neighborhood lol.
don't walk in the dark alone or go to shady neighborhoods. walk with a large male friend hehe. travel in groups. only go where there are people. always have a cell phone handy. buy yourself some mace, pepper spray or a gun if you really feel scared o _o. and buy a rape whistle haha.