Model Mugging

[magid]

Grannyvibe's post about an intense self-defense class reminded me of the class I took at Model Mugging (now called IMPACT) back in early 1993. I was living alone while going to grad school, and my mom asked if I'd take the class. It was only five (long) sessions, and I was interested, so I agreed.

I never expected to be fighting full strength, and it was mostly wonderful, learning new ways to move to keep myself safe, and learning them with the speed and power I'd need if I ever used the training, though some of the situations were close to some unstated fears ('waking up' with an about-to-be rapist pinning me down made me particularly jumpy). However, I think I was the only woman in the class who hadn't been attacked or violated; it was rather different for them, more intense, more vivid, more ultimately freeing. We all had the chance to add personal details to a fight, and a lot of women used the chance to exorcise the demons of the past, telling the unhelmeted guy words or situations that had made them afraid, which he'd use once the helmet was on again.

I have enormous respect for those men who made it obvious that they were doing this difficult job because they wanted women to become stronger. When the helmets were off, they were themselves, caring and compassionate. Helmets on, and they became the thugs, drunks, or other attackers we learned to fight, gouging their eyes, stomping on their feet, kneeing them in the balls, kicking from the hip as we scooted across the floor (women are stronger in the hips). It's a good thing they wear such excellent padding.

I've never been attacked on any of my walks, day or night, by bars or through parking lots. Some of that is luck, some is genetics (I'm tall and not narrow), and some is likely due to this class. I'm not nearly as hyperalert as I was that spring, but I remember the suggestions for not looking like a victim, avoiding getting into a situation that will escalate into violence.

I hope I never have to use any of the fighing moves I learned.

Comments

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

I recall having very similar thoughts after completing the Women's Self Defense class I took in the fall of 2003. And just recently (under non-threatening circumstances, more to show someone the "ready" stance), I realized just how much of the training I recalled.

I hope to never have to use the skills, but I'm glad I have them.

[magid.livejournal.com]

*nod*

I have a video of our 'graduation,' and whenever I see it, I (wince at seeing myself from the outside and) remember things that my conscious mind hasn't held on to all that actively, but I suspect my hindbrain is still familiar with...

(and yay for you having taken the class :-)

[rosefox]

In some ways I'm more scared of doing IMPACT than I am of actually getting mugged; I'm more afraid of what's in me than of anything anyone external could do.

Then again, my life growing up in New York taught me a great deal about how not to look like a victim despite being a small pallid female, so I think my chances of confronting something scary inside myself are actually much higher than my chances of confronting something scary in the person of someone else.

[magid.livejournal.com]

We didn't spend all five hours of each class fighting. There was time for people to talk about feelings brought up by what we'd done; it was thoughtfully done. (And I remain very impressed with the women in the class who'd overcome some impressive obstacles to get to a place where they could take this and feel confident about themselves.)

You seem to me someone who could deal with whatever scary things you have, actually.

[rosefox]

Thank you. That's a very high compliment.

I'm very familiar with how IMPACT does things, and I do think I'll be able to do it someday. I hope so. I want to. Just... not yet.

[magid.livejournal.com]

You already juggle far more things than most people I know. Someday will become some day.

[powerfrau.livejournal.com]

You go girl!

[magid.livejournal.com]

*grin*

I could totally see you enjoying taking a class like this...