Should I take a self-defense class?

Should I take a self-defense class?

I'm often asked the question "Should I take a self-defence class, so when I'm out in public I can defend myself?". My answer always is "Sure. It's exercise. It can't hurt. It'll help get you in shape, maybe it'll help you lose a few pounds. By all means takes a self-defence class". In reality it is probably not likely that you are going to be going into a fighting stance as learnt in self defence class when someone comes up to you and successfully defend yourself. Unless you have years and years of self defence training, fully prepared to take a blow, to deliver a blow, you feel comfortable doing that, then taking self defence class might do you some good, but for the average person your best self-defence weapon is right here, right between your ears and knowing when to turn around and retreat and knowing when not to go to that dangerous place in the first place and knowing when to make better decisions. Sometimes it's not a good idea to stand up and take on somebody, to try to win and beat them, as demonstrated in some self defence classes.