Posted on 12/05/2017 4:23:27 PM PST by x1stcav
It's easy for martial artists to talk about self-defense for most of us. Most of us probably don't struggle with physical challenges throughout the day. But what about senior citizens? I have taught self-defense to people in their late 60s and 70s. They were actually quite mobile and had the strength to hit the focus mits hard. (I remember one student was a 73-year-old retired physical education teacher. She was in great shape, had an awesome attitude, and man could she knock the stuffings out of the kick shield!)
However, in many cases, our elderly citizens struggle daily with loss of hearing, fading eyesight, arthritis, balance issues, and general lack of strength. Yes, I know there are exceptions like the amazing Helio Gracie (founder of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) who was still practicing his art well into his 90s:
(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...
(I prefer a Glock 19 to some of the tips but its a personal choice.)
Yeah, someone on FR once posted that an old person isn’t going to fight you, they’re going to shoot you. It’s just so much easier.
I’m not woke yet to the replacement of the perfectly good word “aware” by the hipster/rapper slang `woke’.
I would love to find a certain kind of Sensei (Karate Teacher). A Sensei who was willing and knowledgable enough to work with arthritic older people who still have a lot of upper body strength.
I can’t run warm up laps around the Dojo now with the rest of the class, as I used to do. I don’t want to slow down those who can do it.
When I find someone who I can afford, I shall return to the Dojo! I miss the sparring most of all.
Yeah, I was indulging in a little hipsterism.
I’ll behave from now on.
The only self defense issue I face, as a senior citizen, is remembering to take out my hearing aids before pulling my 1911.
Trying to fight is just gonna get you killed if you're old, slow, and haven't trained continuously for years.
Martial arts training is a serious lifestyle, not something you pick up in a self-defense seminar.
When I go for my morning walks I’m packing and carrying bear spray. Different defenses for different situations. (Who’d want to unnecessarily hurt a dog for instance)
LOL!
Post of the day!
Yes, except where seniors are unable or (sadly) opposed.
As one who is in his bonus years (If someone were to call me "old", I'll challenge that person to a five-mile foot race followed by a game of concentration), I'm able (if needed) to defend myself, and responsible gun ownership is a part of my preparation.
I teach self defense to many senior citizens ... including my 84 year old mother and a retired federal judge. I am ranked as a 5th Dan (5th degree black belt)master in Kyusho Jitsu which is pressure points. That system can be lethal or debilitating to the attacker with minimum effort and requires just a few months training to begin use it affectively. The system does not require any fancy kicking nor any fancy punching and no rolling around on the ground. Perfect for seniors ... (I’m 66 years old) I have been teaching it for 30+ years .... and yes I have had to use it in real situations ... as recently as last summer. Anyone interested can google Kyusho Jitsu
Yeah, pretty damned good.
Small easily excitable dogs with the hearing acuity of a fruit bat make excellent companions for seniors, and provide enough warning time to access a firearm.
:)
:)
I am too old to fight a young hoodlum and for the last few years I have taken some precautions.
If a person knocks on the front door, I can see who it is but have a Walther PP in .380 in my hand until I do. I have better self defense handguns but the Walther has a fairly stiff, long double action so I will not accidentally pull the trigger.
If they are at the back door, I will answer it but as I pull the door back, I step back with the pistol in my right hand.
I have had a few embarrassing moments but rather that than take a chance. If it is after around 10, I just don’t answer the back door.
I keep a Cold Steel black thorn walking stick when I walk. It is a bit too heavy for a walking stick but still the best choice.
I sometimes walk the neighborhood with a big walking stick. It is lightweight, 1” diameter and almost 6’ long. It is about 10% heavier than bamboo. I’m too old to run from dogs and I don’t like to shoot them in front of little children in the park.
AND DON’T LEAVE OUT THIS, ... https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/hatpin-peril-terrorized-men-who-couldnt-handle-20th-century-woman-180951219/ “The Hatpin Peril
Canes are freaking dangerous in the hands of someone knowing what to do with it.
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