How to pick a Self Defense Program outside our area:

There are an number of issues a woman should consider when searching for the right Self Defense program.

Program type
Short Course, Lifestyle Course, Employer sponsored Course, College Class. For more information on these types of classes, see the "How do I get Started page". Once you have decided what type of class you are interested in, then start looking for a class with the following tips.

Short Course
Try calling local martial arts schools, or research them on the iternet. You should ask specifically, who is teaching the class and what their qualifications are. Although the instructor does not have to be a woman, it should be someone that has worked with women in Self Defense for an extensive time. Just because some teaches martial arts or has a Black Belt, does not make them a good Women's Self Defense instructor. Try asking these questions and see if you get the same answer I would give.

1. Can you tell me, for an example of how you teach, what is the best area of the attacker's body to strike in most situations?
Kathy Olevsky's answer - Well NOT the groin! The best initial area to strike if you are a female and it is a male attacker, is almost always going to be the knee. Once you take my class it is simple to understand that the knee is almost always availble to be hit, whereas other areas are not. Also, the attack to the groin is only effective under certain circumstances. (picture your attacker grabbing you with his legs spread - not very likely)

2. How much of your class is physical and how much of it is awareness type training?
Kathy Olevsky's answer - It depends on what type of class you take. In a short course usually it is about 1/3 awareness and 2/3 physical.

3. Have you ever had any women acually use the simple techniques taught in a short course to defend themselves?
Kathy Olevsky's answer - Yes, definitely. One student was put in a date rape type situation at a college party, and she was visually impaired. One technique that I taught in a very short class on Self Defense was successfully used to get him off of her (he was on top of her on a bed) and she was able to get to away to friends for help. There are other similar situations that have also been successful.

Lifestyle course
This usually involves signing up on a membership type class at a martial arts studio. It usually is between 6 months and 2 years and will cost anywhere from $50 to $100 a month. You should make sure that there are lots of women in both beginner and advanced status in this school before you enroll for a long term. You should be allowed to try two or three classes in the regular beginner adult class to see if you like it. You should not have to take classes mixed with children, as they have a different learning style than you. You can ask if they have exclusively women's classes, although I do not advocate that as the only means of training. I learned with men and I feel it is important for all women to have men as their training partners. I recommend that you talk to the instructor who will most likely be teaching your particular classes and ask him some questions. You should decide if you like his/her personality and if you think they will respect you as female and teach you to become more confident at the same time. Other female students in the school are a good source of information.

Employer Sponsored Course
I suggest that you research someone in your area who is willing to teach an Employer Sponsored Course, and learn the pertinent facts. For instance, cost, time, qualifications, liability (insurance). Then take the idea to your Employer and see what they are willing to do. They may want you to continue researching the program, or they may turn it over to the Human Resources Office in your company.

College Courses
Call the registrar of the local university and see if they offer a Karate or Self Defense Course. If they offer either, find out which department it is offered through. If it is a course for credit, it is likely to be offered through the Physical Education Department. Call the head of the department and ask them what they think of the instructor and how long they have been teaching at that college. Ask them if there are any students who have taken the course, that they know. If so, give them your email address or phone number and ask them if they'd mind giving it to that student. (They would not be likely to give you any student information, but they might let a student contact you). If the student does contact you, ask them what they though of the class and the instructor.