A Different Kind of Safari

Class Photo

Very recently, I had a different kind of safari. It was more than a trip. It was a safari of self-actualization.

When I first moved here four years ago, I didn't know a anyone, and I'll be the first to admit that I was a little frightened. I was unable to anticipate much of anything, and this uncertainty left me feeling uncomfortable. I decided that taking a self-defense class - to help me deal with expecting the unexpected - would help.

I'm happy to report that it has.

Thanks to the many wonderful connections I've made on Twitter, I met Jake Steinmann, a mixed martial arts and self-defense instructor. When I explained my interest in learning more about self-defense, Jake invited me to participate in one of his courses based on the Personal Defense Readiness System, which is a holistic self-defense program focused on finding realistic solutions to hostile confrontations in real-world scenarios. The class, held at a local gym in Central Square, was a combination of lecture, group discussion, and hand-to-hand exercises.

I was nervous at first, but Jake's easygoing style and sense of humor calmed me immediately. Most of all, I welcomed his perspective of self-defense. Using logic and reasoning, he encouraged us to determine the tools we have available to defend ourselves - right now. This realization was amazing given that my impressions of self-defense involved needing to know how to fight.

The class was a mixture of curious individuals, like myself, and trained fighters. I was surprised to see fighters present, but soon realized that they, just like the rest of us, cannot always be prepared for the unexpected. This gave me even more assurance that I was in the right space to learn and grow.

Before You Go

• Check out Jake's Blog. Visit http://honestphilosophy.blogspot.com to learn more up his upcoming classes and his teaching ideology. To learn more about the Personal Defense Readiness System, visit http://pdrteam.com/. 
• Interested in attending a session? Check out Jake's next class scheduled for Feb 26, 2012. 
• Don't be afraid. While the subject is serious, the environment is open and honest. You have nothing to be afraid of! 

*Special thanks to Matthew Gaskill and Jake Steinmann for making this safari in self-actualization possible!