just need some general advice....

I've never taken karate, but I needed advice... this seemed like the best place for it, so thank you in advance!
I'm a fairly athletic female (about 5'6") and I justed moved into a rough part of my city. I carry pepper spray, but I also wanted to ask anyone about simple self defense moves to break a headlock or hold from behind... anything you might think is useful would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks for your patience with my inexperience.

Hi carrie18,
Really the best advice we can give you is to seek qualified instruction in your area.There is no best style to take just look around and see what you think. Trying to learn moves on the internet is virtually impossible withour prior experience.
Keep that pepper spray at the ready and avoid dangerous places and walking alone.
You might want to read this www.nononsenseselfdefense.com
Hope I helped.If you have anymore questions don't hesitate to ask. [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]

For FAQ on martial arts..http://martialarts.about.com/od/martialarts101/l/blfaq.htm

Good luck

[This message has been edited by SANCHIN31 (edited 04-20-2005).]

If you're comfortable telling us what city you live in, it's likely someone on here is from there and can help recommend a dojo.

Take up running.(seriously)
If you are really interested in self defense, you will have to put in some serious training time.
Going to seminars or trying to learn 1 or 2 moves is not going to work, especially over the internet.
It is a physical skill that requires constant practice to be effective.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Shadowfax:
If you're comfortable telling us what city you live in, it's likely someone on here is from there and can help recommend a dojo.[/QUOTE]

Lansing,MI. Sometimes they list it in their profile.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SANCHIN31:
Lansing,MI. Sometimes they list it in their profile.[/QUOTE]

And some people have enough smarts to go looking at the profile. Too bad I'm not in that group [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif[/IMG]

Carrie18,
One option might be to look for a women's self defense class in your area. They are very helpful and can jump start you into a MA that you are comfortable with. This is how I got started. Good luck! [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif[/IMG]

Keep your eyes peeled, don't wear high heels, start your running training now. Don't go out too late, walk confidently and try not to let anyone you don't know approach you to within arms length. Make a run for it at the first sign of trouble.

Read as much of the site www.nononsenseselfdefense.com as you can.

Thanks so much everybody... the website you recommended was really helpful!

One born every minute...uh..I mean,you're welcome,glad we helped!!

carrie18,

Greetings!

I just read your post, and realized that you and I are in the same city. I teach karate at the MSU karate club: www.msu.edu/user/karate/. We are a student organization, but we have several non-student members (I am a staff member myself) and you do not have to be an MSU student to join. If you are interested in MA in our fair city, you can feel free to come check us out.

If you are not interested in a full-fledged MA class, I know there is at least one womens' self-defense group on campus (they happen to use our dojo to train in after our classes). I do not have contact info for them, but I am sure you can find out info if you do a search on www.msu.edu.

Other than that, there a few other MA schools in our area, some of which I know something about, others I do not. Since I am a "qualified instructor in your area" [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG], feel free to email me at mahaffey@msu.edu with questions if you are serious about learning SD or MA.

Sincerely,
Mike Mahaffey

[This message has been edited by Xibalba (edited 04-21-2005).]

[This message has been edited by Xibalba (edited 04-24-2005).]

If someone gets you in a "school yard bully headlock," reach over with the hand that's on the side that he is choking you on, and push his face. With the other hand grab the back of his knee that is closest to you, and lift it up as high as you can, then slam them to the ground.

streetsensei,
If you please. How old are you and what is your experience?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by streetsensei21:
If someone gets you in a "school yard bully headlock," reach over with the hand that's on the side that he is choking you on, and push his face. With the other hand grab the back of his knee that is closest to you, and lift it up as high as you can, then slam them to the ground.[/QUOTE]

Oh boy.

Is that all? I'd be interested in hearing about your training and experience as well.

BOOO. State stinks!! jk, Ann Arbor student over here.

Your best move is to get in touch with Xibalba, learn some Tang Soo Do. Everyone else pretty much said the same thing, gave you some good advice, I just wanted to post cause I saw your a student in Lansing [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif[/IMG].

GO BLUE!!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by UofM Shorin Ryu:
BOOO. State stinks!! jk, Ann Arbor student over here.

Your best move is to get in touch with Xibalba, learn some Tang Soo Do. Everyone else pretty much said the same thing, gave you some good advice, I just wanted to post cause I saw your a student in Lansing [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif[/IMG].

GO BLUE!![/QUOTE]

Hey, I wouldn't listen to that silly Wolverine if I were you (except for the part about learning some Tang Soo Do at MSU) [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif[/IMG]

BTW - I am just kidding, UofM Shorin Ryu. My wife went to grad school at UofM. I have to be nice about it or I sleep on the couch [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif[/IMG]

Mike