If you’re gearing up to begin an unarmed self defense class, your mind is likely occupied with thoughts of learning powerful kicks, punches, and other protective moves. While physical tactics are obviously a huge part of Krav Maga, there is also a mental component that can go a long way in keeping you safe.
By increasing your confidence and awareness through goal setting and practice within the Krav Maga system, you’ll begin developing a level of mental awareness that can help you spot a potential threat long before you’re actually in danger.
Unarmed Self Defense: How Awareness Can Lead to Avoidance
If you want to effectively defend yourself, it’s a good idea to understand the factors that must be in place for an attack to happen. A predator needs a reason and an opportunity to attack you. You can’t control whatever is going on in the head of an attacker, but you can make it as difficult as possible to attack you. Staying aware of your surroundings is one way to keep yourself from falling victim to an unsuspected attack.
Stay in Tune with the World Around You
These days it’s all too common to see people walking along the street lost in their own worlds. Wearing headphones, texting, or reading online create a disconnect between you and what’s going on in the real world around you. In the dangerous world we live in, this disconnect can mean the difference between spotting an approaching attacker just in time or being caught off guard completely.
Knowing all of the best self-defense moves won’t do you a lot of good if you’re clubbed over the head by someone you didn’t even see. Krav Maga is your self-defense weapon, but awareness is your shield.
How to Work on Increasing Your Awareness
Increasing your awareness isn’t difficult. All it takes is a little effort. Chances are that simply taking an unarmed self defense course like Krav Maga will help sharpen your senses, but you can go the extra mile by actively working on paying attention.
- Unplug for a Bit
As previously mentioned, being glued to your phone while out in public will dramatically decrease your awareness. Not only will it make you oblivious to an attacker, but it also may put you in danger of being hit by a vehicle. Sadly, studies are showing that texting and walking can be nearly as dangerous as texting and driving. Try pocketing your phone on your next walk home. Your messages will be waiting when you get there.
- Take Note
Now that the world around you has your undivided attention, try making note of what you see and pay attention to how they make you feel. Does that guy who hangs out on the corner by the liquor store give you a bad feeling? If so, why do you think that is? Sometimes we carry a bias that may affect the way we view someone. The more you can recognize those biases and pay attention to both your internal and external worlds, along with learning unarmed self defense techniques, the easier it will be to use your awareness to keep yourself safe.
Taking note of your surroundings can also help you recognize what’s normal versus abnormal over time. For example, if you walk the same route home every day, and each time, you see the same guy on the corner, you will begin to associate him with normalcy. Over time, you might even realize you were wrong about him and become friends.
However, if you suddenly spot a new shady character who you’ve never seen before, or the guy you regularly see suddenly starts behaving strangely, you will know to watch out.
- Power in Numbers
Do you regularly notice the same mother struggling to control her three kids on your daily walk? If so, why not say hello and ask if they’d like to walk together? You’ll help her keep an eye on the kids, and in turn, walking in a group will help keep you safe. Most attackers won’t bother going after a group if the chances of success are low. Even if an attack does occur with others around, there will at least be more witnesses and a better chance that the attacker will be brought to justice.
Krav Maga Worldwide National Training Centers: Unarmed Self Defense Tactics
At Krav Maga Worldwide, our instructors can help teach you more about staying safe and aware in a variety of situations. Please contact us today to begin learning this highly effective self defense system.
