Body Language

Knowledge of body language can help a woman with self defense in two ways. First, by knowing what attackers are looking for in a victim and second by knowing what she should look for in a potential attacker.

In 1984 researchers Betty Grayson and Morris I. Stein videotaped pedestrians on a busy New York City sidewalk without their knowledge. The goal was to determine the selection criteria applied by predators when choosing their victims .

They showed the recording to criminals convicted of violent crimes. The convicts were asked to identify desirable victims. The selections were made within seven seconds and interestingly enough not made dependent on race, age, size or even gender.

When the researchers studied the tape, it became apparent that the potential victims all displayed a certain body usage. They walked slower than the rest of the crowd; they dragged or shuffled, lacking a smooth natural gate. They appeared to be uncoordinated and awkward. They had a slumped posture and downcast eyes indicative of weakness or submission.

While some believe that body language is motivated by the unconscious and can’t be changed, I disagree, since I have learned to change my body language image. Being a introvert, my motto used to be: AEC, Avoid Eye Contact! No More! I keep my head up and meet the eyes of those I walk by.

Police reports confirm that predators will often test their victims through eye contact. People looking down or to the side in what has been labeled downcast demeanor, are far more likely to be attacked. This also included people who are distracted reading, texting, searching through purse, starring at sidewalk, etc.

To develop effective body language for self defense you would develop your awareness; predators are looking for the unaware, they are easier to ambush. Get in to shape; a strong body will manifest the movement of a non-victim. Enroll in a self defense or Martial Arts course; once you know you can defend yourself you will exhibit self confidence.

Learning to read other people’s body language will be helpful in recognizing potential predators. A predator may be nervous and/or excited, showing signs of agitation, paranoia and defensiveness. They may clench and unclench their jaw and hands. They may display erratic eye and head movements. They may even stand in a fighting stance.

They may actually engage you in small talk as a method of interviewing you to verify that you would make an appropriate target. While you are looking them in the eye you may notice a contradiction between their words and their body usage. The conversation may hesitate because their brain is busy laying out the plan on when and how they plan to strike.

Trust your instinct! If you feel something is not right, you need to start looking for an escape while mentally preparing to defend yourself. Even if you can’t exactly put your finger on what isn’t right, don’t worry, just assume it isn’t right. Your subconscious mind probably interpreted his unconscious body usage as a pre-attack indicator. Hopefully you have enough time for you to use your pre-planned avoidance maneuvers to escape.

Body language can be used for your self defense in two ways: projecting the image that you are not a victim as well as reading other people to identify potential predators.

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