Greets; Mr. PJS
What a great inquiry… I hope Harley. will respond to you as well. I will give this a go… yes.. WSD should be taught in a completely different program other than your existing martial arts program for many reasons. A few are: The mentality and content of a WSD program is VERY sensitive and are worlds apart from ANY martial arts curriculum. Considering there is a sexual assault every 2 minutes in this country.. It is a silent epidemic. The sensitivity of that must be addressed in your quality program. Rape crisis centers usually have educators on site that are masterful at this aspect of it.
The beauty of us being martial artists is that we can take a step further what they already do. We CAN empower with simple affective tools that at least give the option to fight. Most females fight in an attempted assault (given drugs and alcohol where not used and they are not mentally grappling with an “acquaintance” assault ~all very different elements) and it is our duty as martial artists to give them the tools they can apply and not have to practice day after day. A quality women’s personal protection program should be simple when it comes to the application of physical or natural weapons. As martial artists in general we may slip from the simple. This type of program must be simple and effective. Driving home many points that it’s a lifestyle, anyone can learn to apply the techniques and everyone should know the likelihood of a sexual assault happening to themselves or someone they love and what to do about it.
I chuckled at your cardio kickboxing deal. Because that is common. Again, it is our responsibility to educate and inform the public the truths. I tell the girls this: “The best thing that this program (cardio class) does for you in self defense is play the High card~which in my program is self confidence. .. And I say it helps for you to run run run!” lol.. I address the issue. Its not, “martial arts” its not, “cardio kickboxing” it is the development of a personal protection system.
Peering into this aspect has lead me down enriching roads that the “martial arts” only pointed to. You will learn to wear more hats than, martial arts instructor (even though it complements what you will do) and more than, “fitness instructor” ~but develop into educator & motivator as well.
With all that said I would like to make two things very clear. First: martial artists are as misdirected to believe they can properly educate and instruct an appropriate WSD program as students in cardio kick classes believe they are learning “self defense”. Secondly, (because I will not leave us with out direction) if you are considering seriously becoming a community pillar in WSD hook up with your local rape crisis center. I mean hook up, go volunteer ~ make time~invest. Invite those educators out and let them speak to you, to your people then consider taking it a step further after assimilating all that information on how you would teach to fight that information mentally and physically. Continue to network as you are outside the box I am available to you.
My best to you.
Heather
denverama@aol.com 