Self Defense Seminars First, avoidance. Second, dissuasion. Failing those, strike first. These were the self defense lessons of the Self Defense for the Real World Seminar led by former International Karate competitor and career night club bouncer Ian McCranor. The class of 20 (from high school students to retired attorneys) who attended the seminar on a Sunday afternoon at Broad Ripple Martial Arts School received those valuable lessons within the first 5 minutes of the seminar - then spent the next four hours learning what that really means and how it could save their lives. I've attended 3 or 4 self defense seminars over the years, and always left feeling more informed, but no more confident that I could successfully defend myself from an attacker. The techniques offered as "self defense" were frequently complicated and confusing. As such, these techniques were difficult to perform -- even in the controlled environment of a seminar on an "assailant" who, more often than not, resembled my grandmother far more than the big, aggressive rapist from whom I was trying to protect myself. Make no mistake, however, Self Defense for the Real World is not your typical self defense seminar. An open discussion about what constitutes an attack and effective self defense techniques started the seminar rolling. Ian discussed many topics: recognizing the rituals of attack, learning to deal with the physical reaction of one's own fear, and actual instruction on physical defense were all covered. Employing simple, effective self-defense techniques (avoidance, dissuasion, strike first) were the main emphasis of the seminar. "At the age of nineteen, I had a black belt around my waist and was competing internationally for my country", says Ian, a native of England. "But there is nothing I learned in my years of karate that can help you defend yourself. What I learned in 15 years as a night club bouncer - diffusing and participating in hundreds of fights - that is the experience that can help save your lives." Take note…this is not a seminar for the faint of heart! Ian draws frequently on his own experience for both explanation and for role playing exercises. The language can be crude, the stories Ian relates can make you cringe. But, he delivers it all with an honesty and humor that makes the 4 hours fly by. Will I be able to defend myself against a real attacker? I hope I never have to find out. After Self Defense for the Real World, however, I definitely feel like I have a fighting chance!