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Comment by movix | Hacker News Reader

I do Movement Meditation in a class run by a seventy year old guy. I'm the youngest at fourty-five. It's an art, no violence or aggression, but intense training. I don't get injured - ever.

Previously kubatan, and some close protection training. I rate Systema very highly, but I still think running away is the best self defence. As I mentioned in a previous post, go surfing for the best exercise of mind and body.

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I'm intrigued by the fact that you did close protection training, I've been looking into the same thing. I find the whole concept really interesting.

After seeing the damage the a knife-fight can do in very short order I agree that running away is the best overall tactic. I do martial arts for fun and for the situation where I run away and the guy chases me :-p

The training I did was based on 'Sudden Attack' principles, i.e. where you're being suddenly attacked. These are the most common forms of attack, and in most cases, no amount of martial arts training is going to help you, because you probably won't see it coming, or if you do, you have almost no time to react. I know lots will disagree with me, but that's my opinion. Most attackers are looking for an easy target, even they don't want to get hurt. Reading the situation, and getting away from it, is far more useful than fighting your way out of it.

If it does get rowdy, Systema or an improvised kubotan - a pen, dining spoon, memory stick, may help you. It's always better to get out of the situation in one piece though, and get back to some nice programming that will do some good in the world.

No, I totally agree with you. Walking away is always the better option: that way there's no possibility of getting hurt!

I train for fun and for the rare situation where there's no other option but to stand your ground.

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