Harry Hanson recently reported on a self-defense workshop hosted by third degree black belt named Josh Waltzing. Before doing hands on exercises, Waltzing described a seven step ladder:
At the base of the seven-step ladder is the defensive mechanism known as “walk-aways.”
“Walk-aways are things one does once and walks away. An example is locking doors,” emphasized Waltzing.
One student said she would cross the street so she wouldn’t have to stare eye-to-eye with a walker coming towards her she did not trust.
His second rung of the ladder was “habit.” Do not start out walking in the same direction each day, parking in the same spot in a parking lot or ramp, or leaving and arriving at a destination at the same moment each day.
Awareness comes next. “A blend between habits and knowledge: how a crime really happens and the habits to forewarn you of potential danger areas such as elevators or dark hallways,” he said. “ATMs, leaving an event, public restrooms and apartment laundry rooms are dangerous places to single persons.”
The fourth step was “maneuvering and positioning.” This told the student to identify the potentially criminal act before it is too late to act, and positioning one’s self away from the situation.
Next came “knowledge of self-worth and boundaries.” This pertains more to how you look and how you perceive yourself. This infers the student should take a quick appraisal of the situation confronting them as whether to talk, shout for rescue, or concede to the criminal act to prevent permanent injury or death.
“Verbal boundary enforcement.” The sixth step tells the student to be assertive, but not aggressive. Communicating to the criminal that awareness of the situation is to be followed by a commitment to defending one’s self. Waltzing explained there is a difference between an assertive mechanism and aggressive hollering.
Lastly, “physical self-defense.” Should it get that far, Waltzing stated “…the situation has been forced and you are justified to do whatever it takes to stop him.”
I agree with the method that instructor Josh Waltzing taught. His “ladder” shows that one can most effectively avoid victimization by avoiding the need to use physical defense; i.e. avoid getting into dangerous situations. However, he still explains that if one still gets attacked, then use physical defense, which he shows them how to do.
What do you think?
