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The ABC’s of Empowerment Self-Defense: The Letter O

May 1, 2023
2 min read

Self-defense is more than just how hard you can hit. It is the full spectrum of tools that you can use to protect yourself every single day. We utilize skills from self-defense in our decision-making processes, such as when we communicate with people, when we drive or do activities, and more! Self-defense is really so expansive that we thought we would give you a better idea of what to expect when you take a self-defense class with IMPACT by breaking it down for you ABC-style.

The Letter O: Options

“We must learn to explore all the options and possibilities that confront us in a complex and rapidly changing world.” (J. William Fulbright)

One of the key pieces that we train in our students is the knowledge that they have options. It can be easy to feel stuck and limited when experiencing a stressful situation. We help students see all of the tools that they have to utilize and learn how to put them into practice. We teach students to go through a decision-making process every time they are faced with a stressful situation. Part of this is identifying what they need out of the situation (what their boundary is) and then identifying all of the choices or options they have in order to achieve that boundary (including the creative strategies). For example, let’s say we are passing someone on the street and they start staring and pointing at us and we need them to let us pass and continue on our way. Some of the options we have could be:

  • Setting a verbal boundary with them

  • Pretend to know someone on the street and go up to them to ask for help

  • Go into a business and wait for them to pass

  • Distract them from the current situation by spilling or dropping something

  • Keep walking and keep our awareness up as we pass them

  • Cross the street

  • Being prepared to use physical skills if it escalates

Physically, we are equipped with a multitude of tools that we can use to keep ourselves safe. We have protective stances we can get into, parts of our body that are effective to strike with if needed, and even just remembering to breathe. Verbally, we have many ways that we can use our voice to set boundaries, de-escalate, or otherwise communicate our needs. Mentally, we have our brains and nervous system that can help us manage our adrenaline, think critically, and be aware of changing dynamics that might require different strategies.

When all of these tools work together, we are presented with a lot of options. By recognizing our options, we can help ourselves move into taking action.


9 Comments


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Really enjoyed reading this! I like how the article highlights the importance of empowerment and feeling more confident in our ability to protect ourselves. It’s a valuable reminder that understanding personal safety can make a real difference in everyday life. Even peel paragraph examples can help communicate these important ideas in a clear and relatable way. Thanks for sharing such a helpful and thought-provoking post!

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The part that stood out to me was the example of someone being followed or stared at on the street and the way the article lays out several possible responses, from crossing the street or entering a business to using a verbal boundary or seeking help, rather than presenting self-defense as one fixed physical response. I found that idea of having multiple options especially interesting because the article connects physical awareness with communication and decision-making, which makes the subject broader than simply learning defensive techniques; in a completely different context, HND Assignment Helper in UK also reflects how people can face situations where having different ways to respond matters. I’m curious whether students tend to find the mental process of…

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Stive joy
Stive joy
Sep 14

This is an insightful addition to the ABCs of empowerment self-defense series. The focus on building awareness, confidence, and practical decision-making skills is especially valuable because personal safety is not just about physical techniques but also about recognizing situations and responding thoughtfully. For students researching personal safety, psychology, communication, or related subjects, an Assignment Help Website can also be useful for finding academic guidance and developing well-researched coursework. Overall, a thoughtful and informative post that highlights the importance of feeling prepared and empowered in everyday situations.

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