Page 114 - issue
P. 114
SAFETY Any one of us can
IT’S UP TO YOU “walk into any situation
at any point; we have
by Margie Pensak to be a step ahead.
We need to be aware
How many of you think twice of our surroundings at
before taking a walk because all times, starting with
you are afraid of being con-
fronted by a stranger? our homes. Look
Especially if you are a around the house as if
female? How many of you feel you were the criminal
vulnerable, especially when
you are alone, because of and ask yourself
your advanced age and/or because
of a physical limitation? ”whether and how you
could break in.
Last month, I attended an intro- ing self-defense and making it happening right in front of you –
ductory self-defense class for women doable for everyone. I would like to being so busy that you have trouble
in my neighborhood taught by black share just some of the many invalu- focusing in the moment. It is then
belt instructor and president of able safety tips and self-defense tech- that, all of a sudden, you are faced
Comprehensive Survival Arts Martial niques I learned from her. with having to employ self-defense
Arts and Wellness School, Jen Lake. against an external enemy.
Beyond being a terrific neighbor- Jen emphasizes that the goal of
hood bonding experience, the class self-defense is not about fancy mar- “Any one of us can walk into any
was downright fun, and Jen empow- tial arts moves. It’s about survival. situation at any point; we have to be
ered us to make smart choices. Effective self-defense is based on the a step ahead. We need to be aware of
principle of least resistance. Jen gives our surroundings at all times, starting
Jen, who is an instructor at the an example: “The best way to not be with our homes. The weak points
JCC and in our community for over caught in a bad situation is to not put around our homes include doors and
25 years, is passionate about teach- yourself in a bad situation,” she windows,” cautions Jen. “Look around
advises. “However, if you do find your- the house as if you were the criminal
self in one, whatever works, works.” and ask yourself whether and how
you could break in. Do you store lad-
A lot of the fear, Jen says, comes ders outside your house? You might
from the unknown. And the easiest as well put a sign on it that says, ‘Use
route to safety is simple awareness this to come inside my house, please!’
techniques. “I look at it from the big If you can find a way to break in,
picture – not only do we have to take criminals can, too, so make changes.
care of the external enemy but even Alarm company signs, cameras, and
the internal enemy, stress. It’s when “beware of dog” signs are good deter-
you have so much going on around rents. It is important for neighbors to
you that you can miss something
110 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
IT’S UP TO YOU “walk into any situation
at any point; we have
by Margie Pensak to be a step ahead.
We need to be aware
How many of you think twice of our surroundings at
before taking a walk because all times, starting with
you are afraid of being con-
fronted by a stranger? our homes. Look
Especially if you are a around the house as if
female? How many of you feel you were the criminal
vulnerable, especially when
you are alone, because of and ask yourself
your advanced age and/or because
of a physical limitation? ”whether and how you
could break in.
Last month, I attended an intro- ing self-defense and making it happening right in front of you –
ductory self-defense class for women doable for everyone. I would like to being so busy that you have trouble
in my neighborhood taught by black share just some of the many invalu- focusing in the moment. It is then
belt instructor and president of able safety tips and self-defense tech- that, all of a sudden, you are faced
Comprehensive Survival Arts Martial niques I learned from her. with having to employ self-defense
Arts and Wellness School, Jen Lake. against an external enemy.
Beyond being a terrific neighbor- Jen emphasizes that the goal of
hood bonding experience, the class self-defense is not about fancy mar- “Any one of us can walk into any
was downright fun, and Jen empow- tial arts moves. It’s about survival. situation at any point; we have to be
ered us to make smart choices. Effective self-defense is based on the a step ahead. We need to be aware of
principle of least resistance. Jen gives our surroundings at all times, starting
Jen, who is an instructor at the an example: “The best way to not be with our homes. The weak points
JCC and in our community for over caught in a bad situation is to not put around our homes include doors and
25 years, is passionate about teach- yourself in a bad situation,” she windows,” cautions Jen. “Look around
advises. “However, if you do find your- the house as if you were the criminal
self in one, whatever works, works.” and ask yourself whether and how
you could break in. Do you store lad-
A lot of the fear, Jen says, comes ders outside your house? You might
from the unknown. And the easiest as well put a sign on it that says, ‘Use
route to safety is simple awareness this to come inside my house, please!’
techniques. “I look at it from the big If you can find a way to break in,
picture – not only do we have to take criminals can, too, so make changes.
care of the external enemy but even Alarm company signs, cameras, and
the internal enemy, stress. It’s when “beware of dog” signs are good deter-
you have so much going on around rents. It is important for neighbors to
you that you can miss something
110 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
