Newsgroups: hp.misc


[This message is rather long - if it is a duplicate, I appologize, I 
mucked up posting it the first time.] 

Several people have mentioned, either directly or indirectly, the Model
Mugging self defense course for women. I, and many others have taken
this class and I feel that it is an excellent class (other graduates:
what do you have to add?) I do not beleive it is offered outside
the USA, but maybe someday. There may be other classes that are similar
or as effective, but I'm not familiar with them so I will speak of what
I do know about. Those of you who have seen me post on this before will
find this stuff a repeat of information. If anyone wants more information,
the MM addresses are at the end, or contact me thru e-mail.

Model Mugging is a self defense and empowerment course designed to 
provide women with a knock-out defense against a single unarmed assailant. 
Model Mugging is different from most other self defense courses in some 
important ways.

- Model Mugging trains women in life-like, full-force rape scenarios, the
women's bodies are trained to learn and remember the feel of delivering
knock-out blows. Women fight *full-force* against the "model mugger"
(a male instructor in a protective suit). The body is taught to remember
these techniques, like riding a bicycle, the body doesn't forget. It does
not require constant practice to remain effective.

- M.M. concentrates on ground defenses, since virtually all rape victims
end up on the ground. This works for the woman's advantage, since the 
ground is her strongest position if she knows how to use it. In a woman's 
body, her strength is concentrated in her hips (as opposed to the upper 
body in a man.)

- Model Mugging also trains a woman's mind. Women are taught how *not*
to be victims. They are taught that fear and anger can be focused and
channeled to her advantage, they need not paralyze her. She is taught
that she has the right and the choice to fight an attacker and that
she has the power to win.

- Any able-bodied woman can learn these techniques.

- Model Mugging asks its graduates to report back to them if they are
ever attacked. Of the women who have reported back to M.M. of attacks,
all those who chose to fight, knocked out their attackers. Some of 
these women had taken the class up to eight years before they were 
attacked. You need not have been recently trained to be effective!
The few women who chose not to fight reported minimal after-rape trauma.
Choosing not to fight is always an option. But it is the woman's
choice, which makes the difference.

- Women from ages 12 to 65 have been trained by Model Mugging. Just
recently a blind woman was trained. You need not be physically
fit to take this course.

- Knowing when and how to fight back can be the difference between life
and death, between being raped and not being raped. According to FBI
estimates one out of every three women in America will be sexually
assaulted sometime in her life. One out of every two women will be
battered sometime in her life.

I have taken the class, and I am confidant now that if I choose to fight 
an attacker, I could knock him out. This does not mean that I think I
am invincible, that is unrealistic. There are indeed situations where I
might very well choose not to fight in order to survive. I trust myself
to make that decision and if I choose to fight, I trust that I can knock
the attacker out and avoid being sexually assaulted.

The best way to get an idea of what this class teaches is to arrange to
see a graduation class (open to the public) or a demonstration. Call or
write MM to find out how. Especially if you are skeptical, seeing it will
show you what I can only inadequately describe in words.

You can contact Model Mugging headquarters in California:

	Model Mugging
	Personal Empowerment Center
	P.O. Box 921
	Monterey, CA  93942-0921

Or their office in Boulder, Colorado:

	Model Mugging
	1705 14th St. Suite 133
	Boulder, CO  80302
	(303)444-6994 

There are other local Model Mugging offices around the country. Below
I have included the entire list, as it was published in the last
newsletter. For more recent information, contact the MM headquarters.
Model Mugging is a non-profit organization.

Katherine Albitz
k_albitz%hpcnd@hplabs.hp.com
CND

================================
Model Mugging of Boston
P.O. Box 31
Boston, MA 02199
(617) 730-4129

Rocky Mountain Model Mugging
1705 14th St, Suite 133
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 444-6994

Self Empowerment Group
P.O. Box 597094
Chicago, IL 60659-7094
(312) 338-4545

Model Mugging of Hawaii
P.O. Box 12073
Honolulu, HI 96828-1073
(808) 735-7598

Mid-America Model Mugging
4030 Broadway
Kansas City, MO 64111
(816) 931-8022

Model Mugging of Los Angeles
13550 Roscoe Blvd. #7
Van Nuys, CA 91402
(818) 509-8166
(800) 345-KICK (nat'l info)

Model Mugging of Modesto
P.O. Box 51969
Pacific Grove, CA 93950-6969
(408) 375-1670

Model Mugging of Monterey
801 Lighthouse Ave.
Monterey, CA 93940
(408) 646-KICK

New York Model Mugging
P.O. Box 20316
New York, NY 10028-0052
(212) 650-9546

Model Mugging of Phoenix/Flagstaff
P.O. Box 51969
Pacific Grove, CA 93950-6969
(408) 375-1670

Model Mugging of Sacramento
801 Lighthouse Ave.
Monterey, CA 93940
(916) 362-5753

Model Mugging of San Diego
P.O. Box 51969
Pacific Grove, CA 93950-6969
(408) 375-1670

Bay Area Model Mugging
3410 Devon Way
Redwood City, CA 94061
(415) 342-BAMM
   or 368-8932

Model Mugging of SLO
P.O. Box 986
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
(805) 544-KICK
   or 995-1224

Model Mugging of Santa Barbara
P.O. Box 1243
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-8228

Model Mugging of Seattle
P.O. Box 51969
Pacific Grove, CA 93950-6969
(408) 375-1670

D.C. Model Mugging
701 Richmond Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 589-1349