Adaptive Self Defence and Martial Arts

Core Principles:

• Individualization: The most crucial aspect. Adaptive self-defense isn’t a one-size-fits-all system. It takes into account a person’s physical abilities (e.g., mobility limitations, sensory impairments, chronic conditions), age, size, prior experience, and even emotional state.
• Situational Awareness & Prevention: The first and most important line of defense. This involves being constantly vigilant of surroundings, recognizing potential threats, trusting one’s instincts, and avoiding risky situations. It emphasizes proactive measures to prevent an attack from happening in the first place.
• Verbal De-escalation: Learning to use one’s voice confidently and assertively to set boundaries, communicate unease, and de-escalate potentially volatile situations before they become physical.
• Leveraging Strengths and Adaptive Tools: Identifying and maximizing an individual’s natural ”weapons” (fists, elbows, knees, feet, voice) and adapting them to their capabilities. This also includes creatively using mobility aids (canes, crutches, wheelchairs) or everyday objects (keys, pens, flashlights) as defensive tools.
• Mental and Emotional Resilience: Building confidence, self-efficacy, and a strong mindset. This includes understanding the psychology of self-defense, managing fear and stress, and developing the ability to think clearly under pressure.
• Realistic Training: Engaging in scenario-based training that simulates real-life situations to help individuals practice their skills and build muscle memory for effective responses. This often involves practicing with padded instructors in realistic settings.
• Non-Prescriptive and Trauma-Informed: Adaptive self-defense does not tell individuals exactly what they should do, but rather provides a range of options and tools, acknowledging that individuals are the experts in their own lives. It’s also mindful of trauma and aims to empower individuals rather than re-traumatize them.

Who Benefits from Adaptive Self-Defense?

While often associated with people with disabilities, adaptive self-defense is beneficial for a much wider audience, including:

• People with disabilities: This is where adaptive self-defense originated, helping individuals with physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments learn techniques tailored to their needs.
• Older adults: Who may have decreased mobility or strength.
• Individuals recovering from injury or surgery: Who may have temporary limitations.
• Smaller individuals: Who need to learn how to effectively defend themselves against larger attackers.
• Parents with children: Who might need to defend themselves while holding a child.
• Anyone looking for a personalized approach: Who wants self-defense training that truly fits their unique circumstances.

Examples of Adaptive Techniques:

• For wheelchair users: Using the wheelchair itself as a barrier or a weapon (e.g., footrest for striking, pushing the chair into an attacker), striking vulnerable areas from a seated position, or learning how to fall safely and get back into the chair.
• For visually impaired individuals: Relying on heightened auditory awareness, using a cane as a defensive tool, and focusing on close-quarters techniques.
• For individuals with limited arm mobility: Emphasizing kicks, headbutts, or using the body’s weight for leverage.
• General techniques: Eye gouging, throat strikes, groin kicks, elbow strikes, and using loud vocalizations to attract attention and deter an attacker.

In essence, adaptive self-defense is about maximizing an individual’s potential for safety by recognizing and building upon their unique abilities, rather than imposing a rigid set of techniques that may not be feasible or effective for them. It prioritizes empowerment, awareness, and realistic strategies for personal protection.