Confrontations can happen anywhere - at work, school, on the street, at a party, in a parking lot, or even when you're at home. These confrontations can also take many forms, from subtle hints and innuendo to more aggressive verbal and even physical altercations. Unfortunately most people don't really know what their options are when these situations occur, and the result can be that things go from bad to worse!
These situations have become such a concern that Oprah Winfrey did a show on January 29, 2008 on this topic. Entitled "How the Gift of Fear Can Save Your Life" featuring Gavin de Becker, one of the nation's leading experts on the prediction and management of violence. The episode was quickly followed by a write-up on CNN which you can see here (link).
The FAST Defense program is designed to not only teach you what your options are, but also to allow you to practice them in a realistic but safe and fun environment. By being able to practice with a well-trained team you can gain the tools and experience you need to turn fear from being your worst enemy into your most powerful ally!
The FAST of FAST Defense stands for Fear Adrenal Stress Training, meaning that you learn to work with your natural adrenaline and fear and make them into the great equalizer they can be instead of a liability. To accomplish this, in the class you will learn:
- How to respond assertively in a state of fear with an adrenaline rush.
- Awareness skills that allow you to detect a potential threat before it occurs.
- How to avoid being picked out as an easy victim. (Interviews with convicted felons show that attackers search for specific body language to identify their victims. Learn how to carry yourself so that assailants will not single you out!)
- How to avoid common mistakes such as AGGRESSIVE behavior (how not to pick or escalate a fight) and PASSIVE behavior (how not to be picked on by others).
- How to act ASSERTIVELY - to ask for what you want in a straightforward manner.
- How to avoid assault, rape, and other violent encounters.
- How to transform your fear into a source of power and strength.
- How to find the power of your voice. (FBI statistics say that 70-80% of assaults can be stopped by good verbal boundaries alone!)
- What to do in the worst case scenario - when you find yourself physically attacked!
FAST Defense is a life-changing investment in yourself that will help you become fluent in the ABC's of Self-Defense:
A - Awareness Learn to develop an awareness of your surroundings and how your own behavior can influence it!
B - Boundaries Learn your Boundaries and how to enforce them!
C - Core Confidence Develop the Core Confidence you need to address situations that might otherwise freeze you like a deer in headlights!
During a FAST Defense class you will learn to be more aware of your surroundings, to use the power of your voice, and simple yet extremely effective strikes to vulnerable areas on an attacker's body. You will also be able to practice these strikes in a safe, secure environment while learning to adjust and work with your Adrenal Fear!
FAST Defense is the latest technology in an evolution of over 30 years of trial and error to test and determine what really works to protect yourself in real life situations. With FAST Defense you learn how to react during the adrenaline rush of an attack and how to use that adrenaline to your advantage.
Minnesota Valley Martial Arts offers
three different FAST defense programs to address a wide variety of
needs for people of all ages and all walks of life. None of these
courses involves martial arts training, however all are guaranteed to
help you learn to Turn Fear into Power!
• FAST CATS - a 2.5-hour course open to children age 7-12. Cost is $40 per participant.
• FAST Defense - a 3 to 3.5 hour course open to ages 13 and above. Cost is $99 per participant.
• FAST Solutions - a course catered specifically to your business or corporate needs. Contact us for pricing information.
Minnesota Valley Martial Arts is a member of the FAST Defense Fast Success Association as featured on their website, FastDefense.com.