I saw a new magazine on the stands today: Black Belt Presents Self-Defense for Women, from Black Belt magazine (http://w3.blackbeltmag.com/). It featured Erin Vunak prominently. It was Vol. 1 No. 1 of what appears to be intended to be a regularly publiched magazine.

It had articles on Krav Maga, choosing an art, etc.; I was pleased to see that it had a lesser emphasis on physical techniques and a greater emphasis on environmental awareness and such.

Hey there...

Do you have any idea if this new type of magazine will be available in Canada?????
THanks!!!:asian:

It's from Black Belt so I'm guessing it'll be widely available, but I don't know.

I think Black belt Magazine has a good idea. I also would like to get a subscription or purchase the magazine off the news stands!
Sincerely, In Humility; Chiduce!

Diana Lee Inosanto (http://www.dianaleeinosanto.com/) will be on the next cover of this magazine.

Thanks... that site gave a link to the Self Defense magazine for women... now i can go and pick up a copy and check it out!! :D

That new magazine looks great! I sure hope it will be on newsstands in Canada as well. Might have to buy a subscription to this one just to be sure we get our hands on it. Even 10 year old Tashtigress wants a look at it. :cool:

Personally I thought that the Women's Self Defense Issue sucked. They had techniques in there that I definately wouldn't teach to my girls. It would only put the agressor in a more advantageous position.

dki girl

DKI Girl, I take it you have a copy of it?? Is there anything else in it (besides the techniques) that might interesting or worth reading?? Anything in there that might be inappropriate for my 10 year old daughter? Inquiring minds want to know! :idunno:

In addition to techniques, there was general self-defense advice, advice on eating/diet, etc. It was not like Black belt--intentionally, I'm sure. The Diana Lee Inosanto interview was interesting reading.

Tune,

I haven't seen the second edition, but if it is anything like the first one, I don't know that I want to.

I felt that the techniques described in the magazine where just not very realistic. Even a trained martial artist would not do some of those things and I sure wouldn't want an untrained person doing them!!

The other articles on diet and eating are fairly common from any magazine, but I don't think there is anything inappropriate for your daughter, just bad techniques.

For instance....an attacker comes up behind you on the street. Elbow him in the soloplex....headlock and sweep the leg to take him down. Even MA would probably find this technique to be weird.....why put him in a headlock if you can just knock him out and then go on your way...you already have the head at your disposal if you can get the elbow in.

Personally, I would go after the fingers...he has to grab you somehow and they are right there for the taking....then once you have control, go for the knockout or submission.

dki girl

I went on black belts web site and couldn't find anything about self defense for women. Where can i get info on it? also, is there a beginner martial arts magazine out there? Thanks.

I have always found the “self-defense for women” to be nothing more than a marketing ploy to hit an untapped niche. Similar to teaching kids classes……… maybe you have seen them advertised as “little Ninja” classes.

Shouldn’t “real” self-defense” work for anyone considering bigger/stronger people usually attack smaller/weaker people.
If a defense technique only works for this or that type of person then it is not really a self-defense technique then is it.

I was always taught that a “REAL” self-defense technique can be used on anyone regardless of size.

For example, I am younger, bigger and can lift more weight than my teacher………why is it he can dispose of me in a nanosecond?

Real technique works regardless of gender or size.

Self-defense for women………teach them not to be “victims”.



As far as Black Belt Magazine goes………it is like the National Enquirer/Soldier of Fortune of the martial arts publications.

Originally posted by RyuShiKan
...
Shouldn’t “real” self-defense” work for anyone considering bigger/stronger people usually attack smaller/weaker people.
If a defense technique only works for this or that type of person then it is not really a self-defense technique then is it.

...

Real technique works regardless of gender or size.

...

Self-defense for women………teach them not to be “victims”.



I agree that self defence should not be based on size or strength, so for that reason it should work for anyone. However, some tailoring may be needed when, for instance, there is a large difference in height between attacker and defender.

In regards to female self-defence, I see a benefit in separating such classes from a standard martial arts class for at least a couple of reasons:
* Females are attacked in different ways than males (eg. more grabs and holds than kicks)
* Some females feel more comfortable in a ladies-only class and this promotes learning

I agree with your "teach them not to be victims" comment. I have seen this written another way in that "if you cannot win then do not lose".

In our classes, "self-defense" refers to techniques applied against grabs, holds, etc...not punches or kicks (since standard training takes care of that). It's taught to all students, regardless of sex. As women are more likely to be attacked by men rather than other women, I think it's important for them to work with men.
I have found, after teaching for over 30 years, that a "women only" self-defense class may make the ladies feel more at ease, but they won't learn how to really apply the techniques and gain confidence in them if they aren't training with men.
When a lady takes down another lady, they're usually very careful about it. This is not usually the case with male partners, and when they see that the technique actually works on males, they feel more confident; they know it'll really work.

The magazine was decent reading and did a good job at being geared toward women in the MA. I just hope that it stays that way and does not follow the path of so many other MA or fitness magazines. All ads and usually way to much bias for a product or style etc. and not enough factual information that people can use.

Is the next issue out yet?

Originally posted by arnisador
Is the next issue out yet?

I keep an eye out for it, I bought the first copy.

But I have yet to see another issue. Guess it must only be a couple times a year.

Dot, did they happen to mention in that first issue the expected publication date for the second? Can one purchase a subscription to it? I don't think I'll find it anywhere in this neck of the rainforest unless I subscribe. :(

Originally posted by tunetigress
Dot, did they happen to mention in that first issue the expected publication date for the second? Can one purchase a subscription to it? I don't think I'll find it anywhere in this neck of the rainforest unless I subscribe. :(

Can't remember off hand. I'll dig it out and see what I can find.

:D

I think two issues have come out so far; I was wondering if the third is available yet. I recently saw #2 on the stands at Books-A-Million here.

The phone number to subscribe to Black Belt is 1.800.57.KARATE; I suspect they could comment on subscribing to this series.

Having the opportunity to train with Mrs Vunak, I can say, if she is doing it, it works! She is one very tough cookie. She threw me around like nothing, and I am much much larger then her.

I agree, often in magazines, they show techniques that look good on tests, but I would never use on the street.

Erin is the real thing. I hope the mag doesn't dilute real self defense!!


bb

Originally posted by tunetigress
Dot, did they happen to mention in that first issue the expected publication date for the second? Can one purchase a subscription to it? I don't think I'll find it anywhere in this neck of the rainforest unless I subscribe. :(

Black belt mag IS available right here where we live. I can pick one up for you next time I see you!!!:cool:

"Martial Arts Presents...Unique Woman"

Seems to be meant to compete with the Black Belt magazine directed at women.

I think women like Erin Vunak, Lisa McManus and Christa Schearer are excellent contribiturs to the martial arts, not only in their character, but their size. Very small framed women who are not affraid to mix it up with adult, full size guys, and can handle their own..

Any other small women with Big time talent out there that need to be mentioned?

There must be a million of them out there!

Originally posted by jules
Black belt mag IS available right here where we live. I can pick one up for you next time I see you!!!:cool:

Jules, That would be great if you could find one for me! If it's really ink-stinky, could you please air it out a bit before you bring it out? Jeesh I hope they haven't put any of those awful 'scent-strips' in the women's version! If you find any please rip them out, as I am still attempting to maintain the ability to breathe on a fairly regular basis.

Self-Defense against those hidden enemies like Petro-chemically based fragrances is virtually impossible these days; they seem to be adding phoney fragrances to just about everything. The more Petro-Scented 'Freshness' is aggressively advertised, the more people are lulled into believing all these scented products are 'safe.' Yikes!

Inhalation (or Huffing) of solvents has long been known to cause brain damage. Gotta protect my remaining neurons from getting fried, lol, as I am dumb enough already, don't need to get any dumber!

It will be interesting to see what kind of advertising is aimed at female Martial Artists. Do we really desire to look and smell 'pretty' while we are kicking some jerk upside the head?

:rolleyes:

You know, I have long since heard of ms spiro, but never met her. She is very respected lady in Detroit, and I have been making plans to visit her, but to this date, I have not.

Thanks.

Go for it!

On the topic of this forum, she's very active in teaching women's self-defense.

A new issue is now on the stands.

It reads like a regular women's magazine to me. It seems targeted not at those who currently study the martial arts but rather at those considering learning self-defense--or those who are willing to fool themselves into thinking that reading such a magazine substitutes for actual self-defense training, to be quite frank.

Of course, I am not in its target audience. Perhaps others feel differently?

I have read the current issue of BB Self Defense for Women.

Personally I thought that it is already going downhill. There are already ads for birth control and salts and other off the wall stuff.

The "self Defense" articles are going to get someone hurt. In particular the article that includes Page 62.

Ladies. try the defense that the author demonstrates. And have the attacker not just go along with the attack. have him actually struggle and try and prevent you from what you are doing. That is the only way it will show you that it won't work on the street.

We tried this here and we even used two males and it couldn't be done. There is not enough strength in the person on the ground to apply this technique.

I challenge you all to actually try it and report back!!!

dki girl

I'm glad someone tried the technique but am sorry to hear that what they're publishing is--as I feared--less than useful and possibly less than neutral.

I was in Barnes and Noble the other day and saw the magazine. I glanced through it and I wasn't impressed. I'll take Black Belt Magazine anyday over this.

The sad part about it is:

Some woman is going to try that technique. Their partner will let them do it to them with no resistance. Then someday they may get attacked, will try to do that technique and then be astonished that it didn't work after they are robbed or raped.

That is the injustice of that technique in print.

Becky

I'll take your word for it- not gonna spend my $$ on something I figured for a scam from that get-go.

I don't want to be a good marital artist for a chick- I want to be a good martial artist. The techniques are a woman's technique when a woman does them.

:soapbox:

Originally posted by DKI Girl
The sad part about it is:

Some woman is going to try that technique. Their partner will let them do it to them with no resistance. Then someday they may get attacked, will try to do that technique and then be astonished that it didn't work after they are robbed or raped.

That is the injustice of that technique in print.

Becky


Hmmmmmm where have I heard that comment before…….:rofl:

I wonder how sales are. Perhaps it'll fold.

It must be about time for the next issue of this.

The Fall 2003 issue is out and the "Black Belt Presnts..." is gone.

As a martial arts mag., it's pathetic. If you hadn't seen the title on the cover you wouldn't know it was meant to be a martial arts magazine as opposed to just a generic women's magazine. It's mostly about food, a story on surving cancer, dieting, and so on.

That's too bad...I guess they felt that that type of marketing would draw the "female crowd"...jerks

I'm not in any way a fan of Black Belt Magazine. They're opinions and far reaching and out of touch with reality in my opinion. It's a McDojo's wet dream for the most part. It's the sad result of when money becomes too much in the equation in creating a good damn martial arts mag.

Originally posted by Jay Bell
That's too bad...I guess they felt that that type of marketing would draw the "female crowd"...jerks

I'm not in any way a fan of Black Belt Magazine. They're opinions and far reaching and out of touch with reality in my opinion. It's a McDojo's wet dream for the most part. It's the sad result of when money becomes too much in the equation in creating a good damn martial arts mag.
Jay, I have to agree with you. With time, luck, and patience; hopefully, Martial Talk Magazine will accomplish what Black Belt has failed!

The current (Oct. 2003) issue of Black Belt features Diana Lee Inosanto on the cover. There was also a woman doing "cardio capoeira" featured in an article on the art:
http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=149368#post149368

It seemed to me as if they had chosen this issue of Black Belt for a tie-in to the Women's Self-Defense magazine.

The Winter 2003 issue of Self-Defense for Women is out. Much of it is non-self-defense unless construed very broadly: Safety in online shopping (for identity theft), the psychological value of journaling, and so on. There is also stuff on self-defense in parking lots, etc., that is more in line with sensible self-defense that isn't necessarily martial arts, and some martial arts tips. There were four different 1 or 2 page profiles of female martial artists (not celebrities).

Some of the models used make me wonder who the target audience is--for the articles and for the ads. The pictures certainly held my attention, but not for the same reason a picture of Bill Wallace performing a technique would.

Danielle Burgo, stuntwoman from the "Matrix" films, is on the cover.

I haven't seen one of these in a while--are they still publishing it?

Anyone know?