To prepare for physically demanding roles, many Hollywood heroines turn to the Israeli martial art Krav Maga. Created by the Israeli army for training its troops, this intense workout will whip you into shape while also teaching you some self-defense moves. LA-based sensei Roy Elghanayan showed us five basic Krav Maga moves. Watch the video to get acquainted with this martial art; it might just be the workout you've been looking for.
Tasers are not without controversy, but the Taser C2 ($400) is hoping to change all of that. Our hope is that you will never need to use it, but if you do find yourself in serious trouble, the Taser C2 will immobilize your attacker for a full 30 seconds — enough time for you to run and find help. And unlike pepper spray, you won't have to worry about the wind blowing the spray back at you. Purchase does require a background check, and in some states, a permit to carry. Could this be a new way to protect yourself while running alone at night?
The device seems like it has the potential to provide peace of mind, but the idea of carrying a taser is sort of intense. Less intense (and oddly funny) though is that the Taser C2 is pink and its holster doubles as a MP3 player.
I have to admit that I've never taken the time to enroll in a serious self-defense course. Luckily, I've never been in a situation requiring it (knock on wood!), but I think it's about time I sign up!
Yesterday I posted a comical vintage ad for a book on secret self-dense tips. It got me thinking: how many of you have taken a self-defense course and had the unfortunate opportunity to test it out?
This book promised to make self-defense so easy that you could do it with a smile, while standing on one toe no less! Now that she knows the secrets to self-defense, half-pint can show the big bad wolf who's boss.
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My husband and I were at the park over the weekend watching our kids climb on a pirate ship structure when I overheard a couple of other parents chatting. Their daughter who looked to be about six or seven was complaining about a little boy bugging her. Her father said something about the other child being smaller and then advised, "Give him three warnings and then use martial arts." While it's clear that this daddy didn't want his daughter getting bullied, is it appropriate to advocate a physical solution...on a younger child? Some moms and pops tell their tots to steer clear of troublemakers and others ask that their wee ones try and resolve sandbox issues themselves before telling an adult. What advice do you give your child?
As soon as I try to focus on a self-defense technique I could actually learn from, these dorks do something weird that makes me laugh. So I guess my answer to the question above it. . .comedy routine.
In making the transition from playing Jane Austen to super agent/action hero, Anne Hathaway decided to buff up. She told Self that she wanted her character, Agent 99, to have muscles and curves. 
After wrapping the movie, Hathaway was inspired by her tough character to take a self-defense class. Not wanting to play the victim literally, she learned how to take care of herself if someone attacked her. I'd say she has made a 180-degree turn, with a round house kick, since her days of playing princesses.
How about you . . .
As women, it's important that we think about safety, particularly those of us who live in cities. A lot of women I know carry pepper spray in their purses, while others go so far as to take self-defense classes. But I was a little shocked when I heard about Shieldher, a company offering "Taser parties" — sort of like Tupperware parties, except at these home gatherings, women learn about and shop for Taser-brand stun guns.
Founded by an Arizona entrepreneur named Dana Shafman, Shieldher sells Taser C2 models ($350 each), which are not considered firearms but which are prohibited for citizen use in many states. The Tasers use laser pointers to aim and can stop an attacker from up to 15 feet away. For details on the Taser parties, read more
If you're looking to try a martial art for both fitness and self-defense, you may want to give Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu a try. Jiu-Jitsu stands for "flexible art" and is considered by some to be the oldest form of martial art. It originated in India, spread throughout Asia into Japan, and eventually landed in Brazil.
Even though this combat sport is practiced mostly by men, it's especially great for women to learn to defend themselves in unsafe situations. Why? It's all about the belief that it doesn't matter if you are small or weak. As long as you master the techniques of gaining leverage over your opponent, then you'll be able to protect yourself against an attacker who may be larger or stronger.
Check out this video to see what it's all about.
Want to hear more about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? Then read more
Okay ladies, I just found something that I have to share with you. Let me first say that as women, it's incredibly important to do everything we can to keep ourselves safe. Some women carry mace, others a cell phone, and some women I know are even learning Kung Fu. Here's another idea for self-defense: It's called FemDefence.
This “product" (which is presently just an idea) is a kind of protection for women against sexual assault. It's similar to a tampon in that the user inserts it into her vagina, but it has a sharp pin on one end, which has a penetrating effect on a perpetrator’s penis in the event of a rape. The construction is such that the pin cannot injure the woman wearing it.
Whoa. When I first saw it, I thought it was something you kept in your purse — not in you! What do you guys think? Would you put this inside yourself if it meant you'd be more safe, or do you think this product is going too far?
