Be A.W.A.R.E.

So I took a break from my quest for new style today to take a self defense class from the Denver Police Department. (Although side note, I dropped five HUGE boxes and bags of clothes from Book Club Clothes Exchange off at Goodwill today... That felt good!)

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Years ago I got pretty into kickboxing. Not the Billy Blanks Tae Bo kind, but the real deal with wraps, gloves, strike pads and all, and I LOVED it. Unfortunately I moved too far away to make the classes feasible, and I fell off the kickboxing wagon. What I learned today, however, is that once you know the basic moves they do not go away - and they can serve you really well!

I'm admittedly out of shape, but when it came time to act out some self defense moves today at one point after I kneed the instructor a few times and then threw a crazy hammer punch, he said, "Well - okay then!" and gave me a big smile. I've still got it.

That's not to say I'm ready for an attack (who is?) but I feel way more prepared today than before. Here are some great tips I came away with today - all around the acronym A.W.A.R.E.:

• A(lert): be alert to your surroundings all the time. Get off the phone when you're walking around downtown, make eye contact with someone you pass on the street, don't sit with your back to the door... be alert.
• W(ary): be wary. If a nice-looking person approaches you randomly and tries to strike up conversation, ask yourself what he (or she) wants. If someone knocks on your door and asks to use the phone, offer to call 9-1-1 for them.
• A(ttitude): ladies, it's okay to be come across as a bitch. When you're talking about your safety, who cares if someone you don't know thinks you gave them a dirty look if they approached you a little too quickly? Let them know you mean business.
• R(esponsible): you have a responsibility to yourself and your friends/family to stay in control and make good decisions. Don't give away your power. You have to respect yourself, too.
• E(mpowered): pay attention to the news, practice your self defense moves, have a plan in case something happens. An expert can give you all the tips in the world, but you need to empower yourself to put them to use.

If you've always wondered about taking a self defense class I highly recommend it, and the police trainers were awesome. These guys live out self defense every day, and they have the benefit of learning from lots of situations, so I recommend you contact your local police department if you're interested in a quick course!