Are Self-defense Classes Re-traumatizing (victimizing) Or Actualizing (victorious)?

[Seasounds]

I've found that self-defense classes, when taught with the right amount, and the right kind of support, are transforming, turning my wounding into confidence. They help me connect to, and act on my will, vs being in a PTSD-like fog (fearful, indecisive, etc.)

What is it like for you? And if you are better after taking the classes, how would you describe it to a professional?

I ask because a T questioned my perspective (due to triggers increasing with my workload); he wanted to make sure the self-defense work wasn't a trigger, in and of themselves. I imagine the results, and experiences of self-defense classes vary.

What about for you?

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

It depends on the situation you're in, the type of self-defense you are learning, the people who teach it, and the other people who participate in your group.

I did wing-chun twice and it was triggering, because there was a dude there whom I think had never seen a girl in his fighting classes and he was rather eager to touch me. I left almost immediately.

Then I enrolled in KravMaga which was kind of awesome, but same story: only men. It was pretty exhausting. In the end I did not go anymore because I felt I wasn't confident enough for it. It did give me a degree of confidence, because frequently I endured through the exercises while some of the men had already given up.

Self-defense does really help against the fog. Make decisions. Just choose a self-defense class that feels good :)

 

[Suzetig]

I do karate and am working towards my 2nd Dan grading. I've found it brilliant for helping my confidence and focus but my class is nearly all adults and has a number of women. The guys are used to having women in the class and tend to be respectful and careful rather than aggressive - which I couldn't cope with. I think it just depends on the class, the people and where you are in your journey - it may be for you or not.

 

[xena21]

I worked in law enforcement and the military and learned various forms of self defense. I loved it! I would plan in my mind times when I would be able to use it on men that would need it. It was so useful and rewarding to me. I was such a good student to what they taught. Everything they explained I ate up.

I can't imagine it being re-traumatizing only helpful. I see it as being a step into the future. I see the person who was the victum now taking charge of their own life. I see them being able to have confidence that they can control the outcome of what might happen in the future.

I know that what is what I think. I love knowing the tactics that I know. I feel so confident and I want all females to know those things. My anger drives me, but I also know I could kick their ass.

 

[p-no]

I took classes specifically for learning to stand up for yourself (verbally (e.g. if someone hit you on the street that you would loudly and clearly, so others hear it and react, respond saying e.g. "You have just hit me. Do not do this again. If you do, I will call the police.") and physically (without touching another person, i.e. putting your feet flat on the ground to gain stability, straightening your back, lifting your head up and showing with your body posture that you mean it type of things) in public. This was specifically to help me with strengthening myself so I could learn effective ways to deal with assaults/abuse and to help me get help instantly and come across differently (not as a (possible) victim but as someone strong and not accepting of abuse). Those classes helped me a lot!

Some things on the path of recovery have made me (literally) only *feel* better, which was nice but didn't really change anything in my life (e.g. I would still be attacked in public by strangers and/or would just run for the hills in such a case), but these standing-up-for-yourself classes really changed something long-term, they gave me new options for taking action right there and then when an assault/attack happens and immediately afterwards. This in the longer term has helped me various times to stop abuse early-on and/or to get help and get me and my life back on track. Before having taken those classes (and before having really learned to act according to what I learned which needed some practice), I thought you couldn't do anything against others abusing/attacking/assaulting you and I was feeling very helpless with regard to getting help afterwards; after all, the abuse/attack/assault had already happened. These classes really helped.

As a teenager I took judo classes for a while. Those didn't help me at all with regard to trauma/self-confidence/PTSD. I find that "normal" self-defense classes (classes not specifically designed for self-defense in real-life situations) really do not help with dealing with things in real life. So, I would encourage people with traumatic experiences (abuse, assault) to look for classes specifically designed for dealing with every-day situations of abuse/assault.

 

[anthony]

I ask because a T questioned my perspective (due to triggers increasing with my workload); he wanted to make sure the self-defense work wasn't a trigger, in and of themselves.

I think it could be a stressor, but not a trigger. If you're overloaded and stressed as a result of attending such a class, then yes, it could lead to more triggers occurring during your day. If you find it relaxing and stimulating, I honestly wouldn't believe it has any correlation to increased triggers.

I always found self-defence relaxing, fun, rewarding and great exercise. At times I found it demanding and stressful too.