If you were in your car and a man came jogging towards your window asking for directions what would you do? Would you roll up your window or drive away and feel embarrassed doing so? Would you put your hand up, letting him know to slow down and stop at least a few feet away, so that if he didn't pay attention you would know something was up?
If the best looking guy you ever saw offered you a drink in a bar, what would you do? Would you blindly accept, or ask yourself why he didn't order it from the bartender in front of you? (Watch this video on Night Club Dangers. Skip ahead to 2:25 to find out what one under cover officer confirmed about how cautious we really are with strangers in bars.)
These questions may seem slight and unrelated, but they are actually similar and important for two reasons; One, they could each be the first consciously notable moment in a life or death scenario. Two, they are both about INSTINCTs with a capital "I".
What is instinct but a combination of all your senses, experiences, reflexes and evolutionary tweaks to myriad, nameless, primal survival mechanisms. That said, instincts and intuition (sort of interchangeable terms) can be trained through awareness and practice.
Your senses' job is to take in information. Your brain does the rest, adding together sights, smells, sounds, etc. to form questions and answers that inform you in a never ending stream of subconscious thought. "Is that a red light? Stop!", "Is that guy looking at me? He looks familiar. Didn't I see him here last week causing trouble?", etc. This can happen faster than the speed of thought, so the more often you consciously pay attention and ask yourself question, the more you exercise your subconscious which gains strength and agility from daily experiences.
Deciphering your intuition takes practice as well. Emotions inform our common sense. But sometimes emotions misguide us. Some kids are afraid of men with beards because the doctor has one. Listen to your little voices, but ask questions. When you get a signal, ask yourself where it's coming from. If you don't know, go forward with caution. Don't just write your thoughts off and go on blindly.
A large percentage of women who were assaulted said they had a bad feeling before the fact but just thought they were being jumpy for no reason.
Pay special attention to these signs of Intuition:
- Nagging feelings
- Apprehension
- Suspicion
- Persistent Anxiety
This may not be as revelatory as a secret ninja technique, but it's an important reminder that much of what you need to stay safe is already in you.
Take a look at an amazing little book I wish I'd written called the Gift of Fear, by Gavin DeBecker. I really believe that if every woman read it the statistics on violence would be much lower. You can also check out this article on instincts.
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Don't forget to download this graphic Five D's of Self Defense PDF as a starting point. Use it as a quick reference reminder of how to avoid crime. Print it, fold it, laminate it, The Secrets of Women's Self Defense online workshop is framed by these concepts. They will help you stay one step ahead of crime.
This isn't easy stuff to face, but to be smart, safe and happy a friend of mine told me you sometimes have to look the tiger in the eye!
Pass it on.
Teja
Teja Van Wicklen
Owner, Head Trainer
Devi Protective Offense and Mommy & Me Self Defense