self defense

[May(be)]

Hypothetically, if your SO enrolled you in a womens defense class:daydreaming:, how would that make you feel?

I ask because my wife suggested that I join 1 at her gym. she said that they would let me in, because they know me and I would not have to go in drag. I got huffy and offended when she asked because I have had several years of martial arts training, and don't find it necessary. I found that I needed to prove my masculinity my reciting the many different forms of martial arts taken to her. I don't usually get macho over things like this, but this kind of rubbed me the wrong way. feel free to psychoanalyze

[Amy Fakley]

hey ... get her go with you! then you get to do something with your wife ... and she's happy and you don't gotta 'splain nothin' to nobody.
bonus .. now your wife will have ass-kicking skills and can totally have your back in the event of a zombie apocalypse :)

[Tracii G]

Be open it never hurts to learn a new style.
Studied Shao-Lin since I was 14 and added Sieki Kahn to the list one is Chinese soft style and one Japanese hard style.
Learned a portion of Mui Thai( Muay Thai as some spell it) in Vietnam so its always good to learn more.
Key is to learn as much as you can.

[kimdl93]

I don't think its any reason to get huffy. She was very kind to offer to let you in. The rest of the girls would have gotten a kick out of having a guy join them - and maybe used your for practice ;)

[Ayame]

You do realize that your wife is just trying to be supportive and might be trying to bond with you, since she is taking the class and knows you like this stuff as well. I wouldn't think too far into it and I would go and have a good time.

[kellycan27]

I'd say go for it! I have been kick boxing for almost 4 years, not so much for the self defense aspect, but rather to keep toned and flexible. Great way to help stay in shape without building muscle.

[Cynthia Anne]

What could it possibly hurt spending a little time do something your wife suggested!

[Laura912]

I think your wife should take the class and come home and pin you to the floor till you say "Uncle!" Just kidding. :D It seems like a kind effort to place you with women which you wish to emulate. Besides, have you seen some of those work out outfits?

[Nikki A.]

You'd be doing something together, and besides maybe you can add something with your previous training. I'd say do it

[bridget thronton]

Judo is much different than wrestling and Akido is different from Judo (I enjoyed greatly learning social Akido from a woman as a means of dealing with cyber bullies in virtual worlds)

[May(be)]

Thank you all for the kind and wise advice, unfortunately this is not possible anymore because this conversation came up 3 or 4 months ago and now she lives in a different state than I do. I wish that I had gotten this advice at the time, but it was a wasted opportunity. I was only remembering this conversation now and reflecting on my behavior because of an earlier thread that was made by Katie Barns. For further clarification, my wife was not going to take the class with me.

However, I feel that I have been missunderstood-

I truly was interested in your responses to this hypothetical situation. what if your own SO suggested this as something that you should do?

I will admit that 3 or 4 months later I can see now that it was definitely an ego problem on my part to react the way that I did, and I would definitely not react in the same way now that I did then. To be honest, though, I am a little surprised that this sort of suggestion from a SO would not offend anyone masculine sensibilities. I am not saying you should be offended, I am just surprised that no 1 here would be even a little bit offended.

I am still trying to reconcile the masculine and feminine parts of my brain. if it is true that you all are so confident in your femininity, I think that is incredible and I can only hope I am and sure of myself as all of you by the time I get this figured out

[Marie-Elise]

I studied martial arts for 12 years; I, too, would be miffed. Mostly because I don't find feminine gym gear or clothing all that exciting.

[Tracii G]

We all make mistakes in life no need to dwell on something thats in the past.

[Sophia Claire]

I think I'd be upset too. I'm a martial artist as well. I've studied combat arts from four continents. What in the world is the local gym going to be able to teach me? But that rhetorical question would also be my downfall, because I'd have to know. Exactly what can I learn from this? I think I'd probably go. Plus, it's good exercise.

Also, Is there a reason that she is concerned for your safety? If she's not aware of your previous training, maybe you should have that talk. Less about showing her how big your junk is and more about reassuring her that you can handle yourself. Just my thought on the situation.

[Beverley Sims]

If you are out to your wife, go!
Not dressed but go and take part.
Forget the macho BS. You are practicing to be a lady aren't you?
Do a bit with her and you can both discuss the girlie bits freely in context and without weirdness..
You will have both done the exercises. More progress you see.:)