Self-defense and martial arts
are not the same thing!
The difference between martial arts &
self-defense
Many people think that to learn to protect themselves against everyday dangers they have to learn a martial art — they have to master Michelle Yeoh’s or Jackie Chan’s moves. This simply isn’t true.
While many martial arts did evolve as self-defense systems, they suited the needs of a people in a specific time and place (such as sword-fighting on horseback in 17th century Korea). They don’t translate well to practical, modern-day needs. You’re not, for example, going to do a flying kick to a potential rapist, workplace harasser, or child abuser.
Instead, you can use self-defense techniques for the real dangers women, girls, and LGBTQIA+ people face today. These are best addressed through a quality empowerment self-defense class.
Self-defense and martial arts each have strengths — and they do have things in common. Here are a few:
SELF-DEFENSE
Anybody can learn basic self-defense skills, even somebody small, elderly, with physical disabilities, overweight, or out of shape. It’s not a form of exercise.
MARTIAL ARTS
Is a good workout. Will get you in shape and bring you the benefits of fitness. Some schools are geared toward sports and competition and attract younger or more athletic people. Other schools are non-competitive and view martial arts as a practice open to anyone.
BOTH
Get you in touch with your physical power.
SELF-DEFENSE
Teaches skills to use against harassment, abuse, and assault, including everyday situations that don’t involve physical attack.
MARTIAL ARTS
May teach awareness to help with prevention, and may help develop confidence to handle daily situations. The physical fighting techniques of martial arts, though, are not usually practical or realistic for the kind of attacks that happen in today’s world.
BOTH
Increase confidence.
SELF-DEFENSE
Effective skills that can be learned quickly.
MARTIAL ARTS
Must be studied for a long time to attain proficiency; often a life-long pursuit.
BOTH
Create a stronger mind-body connection.
SELF-DEFENSE
Develops self-respect and awareness. Facilitates healing of past traumas.
MARTIAL ARTS
Develops discipline, respect, focus.
BOTH
May spur internal change as well as learning specific skills.
SELF-DEFENSE
Depending on the program, may connect to feminism, anti-racism, and larger social justice issues. Develops a broader awareness of issues related to gender-based violence.
MARTIAL ARTS
Depending on the focus of each school, may encourage spiritual development and/or martial arts as sport and competition.
BOTH
May make connections beyond the particular focus of the program or school.