Watch Elements Academy on CBC News with Andrew Chang.
On March 30, 2015 we were proud to demonstrate self-defence techniques on CBC News with Andrew Chang. In response to a number of recent attacks on women in Vancouver it is always helpful to share basic safety awareness tips that apply to anyone.
- Don’t block your senses. Headphones, cellphones, even hoodies can all block our natural senses of sight and sound and these senses can be our first alert to danger, especially when out alone. If you listen to music when you run, cover only one ear with your headphones, keep your hood down to increase your periphery vision, and don’t get distracted by texting.
- Trust your instincts. We were born with instincts for a reason. When the hair on the back of your neck, or that feeling in your gut tell you something is wrong, listen to it! You won’t regret using a little extra caution when your body warns that you might be in danger.
- Be a hard target. Walk tall and show confidence. Don’t let someone identify you as a victim. Instead, present yourself to the world as someone who will fight back with everything they have to get home safe and sound to their loved ones.
CBC posted an interesting article on what’s acceptable as self-defence under Canadian law. This is a good read that looks at various situations where a person might need to defend themselves and their property. We believe your body is your most precious property and we have been told by friends in law enforcement that women who fight back have the greatest chances of escape.
We hope everyone out there equips themselves with some basic knowledge of self-defence, which is why we run regular Women’s Self-Defence workshops at our Academy. You can also contact us to book private workshops for your friends, family or co-workers.