Being aware leads to power

I had the recent pleasure of co-teaching a self-defense workshop with my wife and several friends of ours from martial arts.

The class was a success; we had 18 participants with and without disabilities.

It always amazes me during classes like these how people are greatly affected by simple awareness exercises. The greatest asset we have available for self-protection is the ability to cultivate a fuller awareness of our surroundings, as well as our body's natural responses to the environment.

The simple acts of making eye contact and holding oneself with confidence can go a long way in deterring danger. The way I hold myself, even in a wheelchair, has a profound effect on me and my environment. I am much more aware of my surroundings, not only because I have greater access to peripheral vision, but also because my other senses are more alert. I tend to be more relaxed and so have at least slightly better control of my body.

I also find that when I am intentionally more aware, those I come in contact with relate to me differently because my humanity is not overshadowed by their perception of my limitations.

Just last week, Megan and I were walking around downtown Raleigh, trying to decide where to have dinner. Megan was pushing me in my manual wheelchair, and a man began to approach us. I first noticed him about a block away and had an uncomfortable feeling.

As the man drew closer, I noticed him making an effort to avoid eye contact. At about 10 feet away, I clearly and intentionally said, "Hi!" He shot me a quick glance and veered off in a different direction.

It is possible he had no mal-intent, but my instincts told me otherwise.

So often we're taught to ignore our body's natural wisdom and its ability to alert us to imbalances, both external and internal. Many of us, particularly those with disabilities, have been taught through a lifetime of experiences that we are powerless victims of circumstance. Yet as ingrained as that mentality may be, it is a choice we can consciously step out of.

When we begin to recognize that our attitudes have shifted to those of victimhood, we can begin to relearn the tools for success and move into a place of empowerment and confidence. Awareness is the first step, but it is a powerful one.

As we begin to understand that we have choices and start learning the skills needed to act on them, we can then act, be it getting out of a dangerous situation or navigating work and family life with greater ease. One way I do this, in addition to my coaching practice, is through studying martial arts because it offers me a venue to continually assess and refine how I move through challenges, physical or otherwise.

It has been my experience that many of us have untapped resources at our disposal that could enhance how we respond to various situations, from using a wheelchair to protect oneself when being attacked, to working through an internal fear that keeps us from fully expressing ourselves.

Having confidence in my ability to remain aware of the situation and to respond as needed changed the dynamic that evening in downtown Raleigh before it got dangerous. But as those who attended the self-defense class know, we can learn to protect ourselves should things not go as smoothly. We're all more powerful than we know!