Due to a recent change in my work schedule, I often don't finish up until 9:30 or 10:00pm at the earliest. That means I have to walk a block and half to get my car out of the public parking garage when it's pitch black outside. I don't work in the safest neighborhood in the city to begin with, and having to walk alone that late at night doesn't help matters. Of course I always pay close attention to what's going on around me and I carry pepper spray in my hand until I actually buckle myself into the driver's seat, but I still don't feel 100 percent safe. That's why I think it's time to take a self-defense class.

I've always heard that taking a self-defense class is better for me in the long run than simply carrying around things like pepper spray, whistles, and other safety devices. That's because would-be attackers could potentially wrestle those items away from me, leaving me stuck without any protection at all. But by taking a self defense class, I wouldn't have to rely on devices to keep me safe. I'd be able to protect myself without weapons by using the techniques taught in a basic self defense class.

I checked the Yellow Pages in order to find a self defense class in my area. I quickly saw that there were many self-defense class options for me. For example, there were classes offered by private gyms, by the local community college, and even by off-duty law enforcement officers. The variety of meeting times as well as the affordable prices meant that I would be able to start taking a self-defense class immediately. I signed up for one of the classes and will have my very first lesson next weekend.

In the meantime, I wanted to continue researching ways to protect myself, so I checked the Internet for some tips. I was surprised to discover that there are online self defense class options as well. Some websites have videos that customers can access after paying a membership fee. In addition, there are even home-study options (via DVD rentals) for people who simply don't have time to attend classes at an outside location. If I had known about these choices, I would have seriously considered doing one of those instead of taking a self-defense class at the gym.

But that doesn't really matter now; the important thing is that I am being proactive about my personal safety. I hope I never have to use any of the techniques I learn in my self defense class, but at least I know I'll be ready if the unthinkable should happen.