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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? Topics Fitness Food Health Natural Pamper Special Style Events Medical Directory Reader's Picks RSS Info About OHL Advertise Archive Photos Return to Mail Tribune NEWS NOW Beach bacteria thresholds may tighten By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Read Beach bacteria » Our View: Who politicized the UCC shootings? Not Obama Read Our View: Who» View from 100,000 feet By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Read View from 100,» Beach bacteria thresholds may tighten By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Read Beach bacteria » Our View: Who politicized the UCC shootings? Not Obama Read Our View: Who» View from 100,000 feet By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Read View from 100,» Brain Before Brawn Many people have the misconception that knowing self defense requires extensive martial arts training. And it's true that karate or some form of martial arts moves are often taught, but anyone can learn a few basic techniques that can be very effective when used with confidence and determination. Comment By CINDY QUICK WILSON • PHOTOS BY DENISE BARATTA MailTribune.com By CINDY QUICK WILSON • PHOTOS BY DENISE BARATTA Posted Oct. 6, 2014 at 2:00 AM Updated Oct 6, 2014 at 11:32 AM By CINDY QUICK WILSON • PHOTOS BY DENISE BARATTA Posted Oct. 6, 2014 at 2:00 AM Updated Oct 6, 2014 at 11:32 AM » Social News Many people have the misconception that knowing self defense requires extensive martial arts training. And it's true that karate or some form of martial arts moves are often taught, but anyone can learn a few basic techniques that can be very effective when used with confidence and determination. "When we talk about what we do here, the first impression is that we're teaching people how to fight—to kick and punch," says long-time martial arts champion and holder of a fifth degree black belt, Shantell Dawson. "And yes, martial arts training teaches them how to move their bodies, how to control the movement and how to defend themselves. But what we try to instill in our students is that we use common sense before self defense and hope you will never have to use your fists or your feet to defend yourself." Dawson is general manager and head instructor with Chip Wright's Champion Karate studio in Medford. Russell O'Connor, senior martial arts instructor with America's Best Kids (ABK) academy in Medford, agrees with this philosophy. "Avoidance first is always the best defense," he says. "Most people assume self defense is using your hands and feet to protect yourself from an assailant. But the most important thing we teach is about recognizing and avoiding situations where you might have to defend yourself." Instructors focus training around three basic principles: Identifying dangerous situations through awareness of our surroundings; knowledge and physical skill to, without hesitation, use defensive techniques if a confrontation is unavoidable; and the mental ability to control our emotions and be assertive. Be aware of your surroundings Being observant does take practice, Dawson says. "There's a fine line between being paranoid and being aware. Like not having your attention on your phone as you're walking through a parking lot and having your keys out and in your hand. Maybe taking note of what people around you are wearing or doing." As a free community service, O'Connor conducts self defense seminars. "We cover what we call the five A's of self defense: awareness, avoidance, attitude, arming and attack. The first thing is maintaining a safe distance. We all have a personal space where we are comfortable with family or close friends. But the safety zone is breached as soon as your intuition kicks in that says I am not comfortable with this situation or this individual. The goal is to maintain a distance, to prevent things from getting physical. It is making sure you understand where things are, spatially speaking." When it's your life or his If the first line of defense is your ability to foresee situations that might pose potential risks and avoid them altogether, the second is the ability to react swiftly and decisively in the case of an actual confrontation. Bill Keefer, former U.S. Marshal and self defense trainer in Medford, says most attackers do not expect their victims to put up much of a struggle. "Frightened victims often make it too easy," he says. "One of the most important things to instill about self defense is that in order to be effective, you have to be willing to do someone bodily harm, understanding that your life depends on fighting back with everything you've got. You must be determined, decisive and quick to take action. You'd be amazed at how many victims offer no resistance at all." There's no doubt that physical conditioning, focus and reflex training learned from martial arts can be an advantage, but other self defense techniques can provide the knowledge, skills and composure to defend yourself in the event of an attack. "If your life is at stake, you have to take action and it really comes down to just a few basic moves," Keefer says. "Most people don't know that it only takes 12 pounds of pressure to break a collarbone. If you're close enough, make a fist and whack that collarbone as hard as you can. That's a very painful break and the guy's going to go down like a sack of potatoes. Another effective move is a side kick to the kneecap. Kick it hard enough, the guy goes down and he's not going anywhere." It's all in your mind Dawson says attackers may think twice if you're someone who looks confident, who walks a little taller, who doesn't act shy and timid. "Attackers look for someone who appears vulnerable. These guys are experts at spotting easy prey. When you learn how to defend yourself and have that confidence, your whole demeanor changes. It's not cockiness or arrogance or anything like that. It comes from being much more aware of what's going on around you so if need be, you're a couple of steps ahead of the bad guy." It's wise to be wary. "People don't realize how many monsters there are out there," says Keefer. "He may be sitting in a booth next to you in a restaurant or in line behind you in the grocery store. Most of us are blissfully unaware that danger lurks in the most unexpected places." Self Defense Classes in Medford Chip Wright's Champion Karate 427 E Main St, Medford 541.772.1576 chipwrightkarate.com America's Best Kids (ABK) 1914 Sky Park Dr, Medford 541.245.0432 www.abkfun.com Bill Keefer Personal Security Medford, Jacksonville 541.531.3691 wn.com/exact/personalsecurity411 By CINDY QUICK WILSON • PHOTOS BY DENISE BARATTA MailTribune.com By CINDY QUICK WILSON • PHOTOS BY DENISE BARATTA Posted Oct. 6, 2014 at 2:00 AM Updated Oct 6, 2014 at 11:32 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction Archive Terms of Use Privacy Policy Contact Us Advertise Careers Copyright © . Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Southern Oregon Media Group: Mail Tribune.com | Ashland Daily Tidings | Medford Nickel