Does anyone know of a place where I can....(Serious thread)

Where can I take a self defense class in NYC?

I have taken kickboxing classes at the gym before but I want to take a real self-defense class. I completely forgot to write about this last week and DH reminded me you guys are a source of info so figured I would post and see.

I was walking towards the Port Authority through the Times Square area. I was right on the corner where THE GAP is. You know how there is a subway entrance there and then across the street is Ann Taylor's Loft? Well as I was walking there last Friday before the holidays, some guy veers straight into my path and tries to get up in my face saying 'beautiful' and all that usual garbage. I wave him off saying, 'I am nto interested,' but as I start to walk away he GRABBED my arm and tried to pull me back towards him and towards the subway entrance saying, 'come here.'

Now in my rational mind in hindsight I know he was probably not meaning me actual harm, but just being a completely aggressive and innapropriate d*uchebag for lack of a better word. he just couldn't concieve the idea that someone might not be interested in him I guess.

Anyway, my instincts went into full gear and I did scream 'Get your fawking hands off of me!' but otherwise I froze because I was just so startled. I did manage to swing my left arm up (he had my right) and I swung my 20 pound purse and hit him in the arm and he turned tail and backed off (more because I was screaming my head off than anything else I think), but the whole event scared the crap out of me.

One, because I realized just how easy it is for a woman to be assaulted in plain sight and to be abducted, because you just freeze up in complete shock and those few seconds are all someone really needs to overpower you.

Two, because it was frickin TIMES SQUARE rigth across from the TIMES SQUARE TOWERS where I used to work and where security is SO high and yet NO ONE offered me any help. It was 1pm during a holiday season so there were TONS of people around but not one person came to my defense. So I realized I need to come to my own.

I want to take a class not to become Xena or anything, but just to train myself not to freeze and to do everythign I can to make myself the mother of all PITA's so no one will want to waste the energy to try and take me.

I am also ROYALLY pissed that I even have to learn to defend myself because some @sshat thinks he has the right to put his hands on me.

I am going to start recommending every woman I know to try and take one too if they offer it enar you because it really was scary crap. So if anyone knows of a place, I would appreciate it.

ETA: Kath I know you take martial arts. Would you happen to know of anywhere in the city? TIA!

OMG!! W t f do you have a freaking sign on your forehead that says 'please, harrass me?' You poor girl! That's so scary!! Unfortunately I don't know of any places, but I hope you find one and learn to kick some a$$!!

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Posted by dgirl0114

OMG, Jenn-how scary!! I am always petrified when walking to my car in a parking lot or even walking up to my house after work when it's dark. You have got me thinking that taking a class might not be a bad idea.

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I would say take it. I mean whats the worst that can happen by taking one? You're better prepared. I know they have defense classes for kids now, teaching them how to become the most obnoxious targets they can be so people think twice about taking them. if Pete and I have kids I am going to defiently make them take it because this world is just a frickin scary place these days.

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Posted by Lools

OMG!! W t f do you have a freaking sign on your forehead that says 'please, harrass me?' You poor girl! That's so scary!! Unfortunately I don't know of any places, but I hope you find one and learn to kick some a$$!!

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-chuckles- Ugh i think I do. A friend of mine calls me Sitcom Queen because she says if they were to make a sitcom of my life adventures it would be a better seller than FRIENDS

I am used to guys harrassing me. I mean we all are-we just walk away but this made me realize some guys just DO NOT get it. And maybe had I been able to kick him in the balls or break his nose he'd have sued, but he would definetly think twice about touchign ANY woman again once she says NO.

Holy cr*p what a sc@mbag. DH trains hard at both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (mostly ground stuff, which is where most 'actual' fights end up) and Thai K-Boxing. He's shown me a few amazing moves over the years; I haven't had to use any though!!

A good class is all about overcoming that 'freeze' instinct with repeated practice; they'll cover tons of evasive maneuvers, like if the guy grabbed your right forearm a quick elbow twist would free you, stuff like that.

I bet someone on here has taken one they recommend. Good luck and we have a title for your book now... 'Port Authority Diaries'.

I found this link and I thinking of checking out the second place because they are all about teaching you RL situations; padded 'muggers' come up to you and grab you and its supposed to be highly realistic so that you go into that adrenaline mode so that you learn to fight back instead of freezing. Because like you said, Colette, you need to overcome that intial instinct t just stand there.

Its not cheap-almost 500 bucks for several sessions but I'm going to look inti it more and if I think we can swing it I will. I think my safetys worth that.

These classes are all supposedly geared more towards women in the sense thats its less about meditationa nd real martial arts training then it is just about learning to get the HELL outta there.

link to self defense classes NYC

That same thing happened to me one day in front of the port authority bus station (around the corner from times square) but in my case I was a little tipsy. I wasn't scared (the drink made me bold) and I punched him in the stomach. He let me go and I just walked away but I have never forgotten that moment.
The following year a man tried to open my driver side door while I was waiting at a red light in brooklyn. I ran the light and I hate to think what would have happened if my door hadn't been locked.

The point is that it can happen to anyone right in public in front of everyone. If you find a good place for self-defense please post it on a board for all of us to see.

Try a contuning ed course through the school district you live in.

I know Comsewogue mails out a booklet once a semester for the following semester on the courses they offer, and the price for the course. They're all inexpensive.

I've taken a few of the courses and I've loved it!

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Posted by ewickens

Try a contuning ed course through the school district you live in.

I know Comsewogue mails out a booklet once a semester for the following semester on the courses they offer, and the price for the course. They're all inexpensive.

I've taken a few of the courses and I've loved it!

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Thats a good idea! Thanks I will look into that.

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Posted by PeteysBride
ETA: Kath I know you take martial arts. Would you happen to know of anywhere in the city? TIA!

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I take Tae Kwon Do...my school is closed for the holiday but i will ask my Master who he recommends when we get back...my personal suggestion is as long as it's a Korean master...i am a bit prejudice at some white guy teaching me something he's only spend a few years doing (personal experience) ...Koreans tend to keep more of the spiritual sense of it as well which i love...we learn alot of self defense moves as well as the usual kicking & punching...learning how to yell is a big help too...i always joke to my master that i can yell loud & run fast....I've been taking it since '01 and i've noticed my fighting instinct has become more of a reflex now than thought when i have to spar...i also had 2 older brothers...haha...i had to learn how to fight from an early age!

Remind me if i forget!

Some simple painful things to do in a situation like that are...
1) step down hard on their instep of their foot...especially if you are wearing heels

2.) aim for their chin...it knocks them off balance

3.) remember that your elbow is the strongest part of your body

OMG!
That's so scary! I'm so sorry that happened to you.. I don't know what I would have done!

thats so scary! it really s*cks that we have to learn to defend ourselfs because of a**holes out there! im glad you want to take up a class so god for bid next time you will know what to do!! im really sorry this happen to you!!

What an asshoIe!! Who grabs someone like that. I learned self deffense from Miss. Congeniality S.I.N.G

Stomach
Instep
Nose
Groin

and your best weapon is your mouth. Don't forget to scream for help. I officially hate that guy

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Posted by MeNBobs

What an asshoIe!! Who grabs someone like that. I learned self deffense from Miss. Congeniality S.I.N.G

Stomach
Instep
Nose
Groin

and your best weapon is your mouth. Don't forget to scream for help. I officially hate that guy

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I love it.....SING!

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Posted by CourtandJon

Now THAT is something we can do together!!! The gym may be a bit tough since we are on opposite sides of the city- but I will gladly meet you somewhere for self defense classes!! I'll ask DH to find us a good place...

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Oh that sounds awesome. We can kick butt together. think Ninja....

LMAO Cat...Sing..I was too frozen to sing let along squak but my hanbag whapped him good. My cell phone, hairspray everything went flying into the street. Maybe it was my scattering tampons in their new 'discreet' shiny packaging that scared him away