Krav Maga The Best Self Defense for Women

Have you ever heard of something terrible happening to a woman or child and thought, ‘there’s no way that would ever happen to me’?
Guess what? It could very well happen to you. Anything is possible, and we’re going to show you how to handle some dangerous situations in the safest way possible.

We’re not trying to turn you into a paranoid tinfoil-hat-wearing hermit; rather, we’re informing you of some of the dangerous situations you could face and how to best prepare yourself for each one. Because women and children are seen as vulnerable targets, they’re subjected to robberies, rape, and assaults more than men are. That’s why it’s very important for you, as a woman, to be alert and prepared at all times. Why is Krav Maga The Best Self Defense for Women? It isn’t just about fighting and fitness, it also teaches you to be aware of your surroundings. It also helps you to be fully aware of some of the most common dangerous situations women find themselves in every day.

Let’s take a look at four of them:

ATM attacks

When you’re at an ATM, you have your back turned to everyone, and you have your bank account open. That makes you the perfect target for someone who wants your money. Women are being attacked at ATMs everywhere, and it’s not stopping anytime soon.

How to keep yourself – and your money – safe: While retrieving money at an ATM, look around you and check. If you see any suspicious characters lurking behind you, or if you feel uncomfortable for any reason, immediately sign out of your bank account and leave. Also, be very discreet when withdrawing cash. Don’t let anyone see what you take out.

You want to be ready before approaching an ATM. If you spend time fumbling with your wallet or purse at an ATM, you’re making yourself an easy target. Always be alert, especially after leaving the ATM. If you think that you’re being followed, go somewhere safe and call for help.

Parking garage predators

Parking garages are supposed to shield your car from bad weather or car thieves, but they don’t protect you from predators. Actually, they do the opposite. Predators love parking garages because they’re empty, quiet, and full of good hiding spots. We hear about women being attacked or abducted in parking garages all the time. They’re very dangerous places for women.

How to keep yourself safe in a parking garage: If possible, have someone accompany you to your car. If you’re alone and uncomfortable, ask a security guard to escort you to your car.

Always keep your eyes peeled. Some women use pepper spray even if it is just to feel safe. If something happens, and you’re threatened just give the attacker your money, then attract attention for help.

Elevator attacks

Elevator attacks happen more often than we’d like to admit. In fact, last January, an East Harlem man was arrested for attacking and robbing eight different Asian people in various elevators across Upper Manhattan. To a predator, an elevator is the perfect place to attack and rob or assault a woman. They’re alone between floors with a defenseless target.

Solution: Don’t use elevators in dangerous places, especially alone. If a predator ever tries to attack you on an elevator, it makes sense to employ any strategy you can to avoid antagonizing your attacker, talk to them, give them your phone or wallet to keep them at bay and as soon as you can, press the alarm button and get out of there as soon as you can. If you feel the elevator stopping at a floor, press the “door open” button and bolt out of there!

Tips on avoiding a dangerous situation

Appear confident. Many predators target women who look timid, lost, or intoxicated. Keep your head high, maintain a good posture, and always look you’re going somewhere.

Your hair. You’re more vulnerable if you’re wearing a ponytail or braids and have your hair down. A predator can easily grab your hair and drag you around. If you wear under a cap, a predator will have a harder time grabbing you.

If you’re intoxicated, have a friend accompany you home. An intoxicated woman is an easy target. Don’t drink stupid amounts of alcohol and attempt to get home alone.

Don’t park your car in a dark area. A dark area is a predator’s dream hiding spot. It helps shield him from you and any witnesses that may be around. Always park your car in a well-lit area.

Don’t talk on the phone or wear earphones when you’re walking alone. Talking on the phone, texting and listening to music will distract you from your surroundings – your iPhone’s white headphones attract attention. You want to be able to hear everything around you.

Don’t feel bad for assuming that someone is dangerous and worry about hurting their feelings. You know the saying: better safe than sorry! An innocent and decent person would understand your safety concerns.

Self Defense for Women: Our Student’s Story

When I moved to New York City, as a 23 years old female over a year ago, I realized the importance of taking care of myself and make friends in NYC. I wanted to learn self defense or a martial art, make friends and get fit. So I looked at gyms, martial arts schools and got in touch with old friends.

I couldn’t find a Japanese Jujitsu dojo so I searched for another style of martial arts. I dabbled in kickboxing, Karate and Coung Nhu, but none of them gave me the intensity and adrenaline that I needed. I heard about Krav Maga and decided to check out a few classes. I was immediately hooked and I have been hopelessly in love with it ever since.

I remember my very first class. The instructor used me to demonstrate that even a small female could cause real damage with a weapon. He gave me a padded stick, held one between his hands and asked me to swing at him as hard as I could. I happily accepted. Unfortunately I was a bit uncoordinated and I smashed his fingers with every swing. I knew I had found my new home.

Now, over a year later, I am still with the Krav Maga Institute, I have a ton of friends there and I am still deeply committed to my training. Although it is not competitive, I enjoy it as much as any sport, I enjoy learning the new techniques and trying out variations of them. Mastering a difficult technique and learning to execute a clean and effective defense is as much an accomplishment as learning to hit a fastball and scoring a home run. Unlike any other sport, however, Krav Maga has the potential to save my life.

I have never been in a fight or seriously attacked, but I have still used the techniques I have learned on many occasions. Our instructors emphasize prevention in every class and this is something I have taken with me outside of class. Being a small woman (5″5′ and 110lbs), I know if it ever came down to a fight between me an average-sized man, or worse, multiple men, the odds would not be in my favor. With my training, I am confident I would fare much better than someone with no training, and I would make it out in one piece, but I always opt to prevent rather than take the risk. Krav Maga has taught me the importance of awareness and allowed me to avoid dangerous situations. Our street clothes classes have taught me that I can still use the training I’ve received when I’m wearing heels and jeans instead of the workout clothes and sneakers I normally wear for training. I live alone down a dark ally in Queens, NY so there are plenty of times when my spidey-senses are on high alert. Krav Maga has given me the ability to make the best of a potentially dangerous situation, as well as the confidence that I would not be powerless in the event that I had an encounter with someone who was up to no good. I have found my NY home at the Krav Maga Institute.