Published:

Most Forms of Self Defense Practiced in Martial Arts Class Couldn't Have Saved Nancy Cooper, Says Expert

WAYNE, N.J., July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Say you're a young mother like Nancy Cooper out taking a jog and suddenly an attacker springs out from nowhere.

First, you must assume your assailant is armed, advises real world self defense expert Damian Ross (http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com/), who is upset over so many young women being found murdered like Nancy Cooper inCary, NC.

"The problem is that most martial arts and self defense systems today teach separate defenses for armed and unarmed assailants. Yet there's no time to choose and one must react instinctively," said Ross, President of The Self Defense Co inSaddle River, NJ. (www.theselfdefenseco.com)

Most of the weapons defenses taught today come from Japanese Jujutsu, which in real situations are outdated and inadequate to save your life, warns Ross, a 4th degree black belt.

Practicing separate weapon and empty-hand techniques adds another difficult step to an already difficult situation, increasing your chances of being severely injured or killed exponentially, he said.

"Under extreme stress of an assault, you can only react one way. When your life is in danger your conscious mind is gone. Your ability to reason, even to speak, is all but eliminated. Hormone induced heart increase (FEAR) prepares your body for fight or flight. So those complicated weapons defenses you spent hours practicing are useless.

"What you can recall in life or death situations are gross motor skills that come naturally and don't require intricate movement or athletic ability.

"When you're stressed you depend on your instinct. There's no time for thinking. You must react in one way that applies to both empty-hand and weapon attacks.

"Fancy, flashy weapons defense may make you feel good, but they do not work and stem from a different time and culture. They have no place in today's world," he said.

According to Ross, Hapkido, Brazilian Jujitsu Self Defense and all forms of Self Defense come from Japanese Jujutsu. Ross is a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Judo also.

These old forms of defense have their place in practice and study, but not in real world self defense, which demands instinctive and convulsive techniques that can be applied in any situation.

CONTACT: Lynn Lewis