Don't be a target! Attackers are looking for easy targets. They choose victims that look tentative or pre-occupied.
Look at the above image. Who looks more vulnerable to an attack? Who looks strong? Who looks weak? Which one is going to fight back? Which one are you?
Now I'm not saying that people get attacked because of the way they carry themselves. However, based on my experience, research and training, attackers often go for the person that they think will be an easy target. According to a new study cited in Psychopathy and Victim Selection: The Use of Gait as a Cue to Vulnerability,” inmates chose victims based on their gait, on whether they "walked like an easy target."
Project a confident, assertive attitude by keeping your head up, back straight, having a peaceful face and body. People are less likely to be picked on if they walk, sit, and act with awareness, calm, respect, and confidence.
Walk with purpose and long strides, looking ahead and around you. When your head is up, you can make brief eye contact with people and you are much more aware of your surroundings, which is another primary component of safety.
“I am a bad ass and I am ready for anything.” Your body language tells any potential threat, I am capable, confident, and not going to be your target today.
When you are walking with confidence you're also balanced and stable and have the ability to defend yourself or flee. The confidence of your walk will transfer into your life because you feel and look good and strong and are able to absorb or deflect the energy around you, good or bad.
Now put this into practice. Walk over to a wall. Any flat wall will do. Stand up against it, bringing your heels, butt, shoulders and the back of your head flush with the wall. Arms are by your side, chin is parallel to the floor (not tilted up). Breathe in and as you breathe out, step away from the wall. Now slightly squeeze a penny between your butt checks. Yes, I know it's weird, but try it. That should set your core and bring your spine even more in line, essentially stabilizing your stance. Practice walking around like that, with long purposeful strides. Practice this until it feels normal. It is often said that it takes 21 days of repeating something for it to become a habit.Try walking with confidence with intention for 2 weeks and see what happens. Let me know here!
Source:
Peters, Justin. "Study Suggests Attackers Choose Victims Based on the Way They Walk." Slate Magazine. The Slate Group, 9 Apr. 2013. Web. <http://www.slate.com/blogs/crime/2013/04/09/journal_of_interpersonal_violence_study_suggests_attackers_choose_victims.html>.
Look at the above image. Who looks more vulnerable to an attack? Who looks strong? Who looks weak? Which one is going to fight back? Which one are you?
Now I'm not saying that people get attacked because of the way they carry themselves. However, based on my experience, research and training, attackers often go for the person that they think will be an easy target. According to a new study cited in Psychopathy and Victim Selection: The Use of Gait as a Cue to Vulnerability,” inmates chose victims based on their gait, on whether they "walked like an easy target."
Project a confident, assertive attitude by keeping your head up, back straight, having a peaceful face and body. People are less likely to be picked on if they walk, sit, and act with awareness, calm, respect, and confidence.
Walk with purpose and long strides, looking ahead and around you. When your head is up, you can make brief eye contact with people and you are much more aware of your surroundings, which is another primary component of safety.
“I am a bad ass and I am ready for anything.” Your body language tells any potential threat, I am capable, confident, and not going to be your target today.
When you are walking with confidence you're also balanced and stable and have the ability to defend yourself or flee. The confidence of your walk will transfer into your life because you feel and look good and strong and are able to absorb or deflect the energy around you, good or bad.
Now put this into practice. Walk over to a wall. Any flat wall will do. Stand up against it, bringing your heels, butt, shoulders and the back of your head flush with the wall. Arms are by your side, chin is parallel to the floor (not tilted up). Breathe in and as you breathe out, step away from the wall. Now slightly squeeze a penny between your butt checks. Yes, I know it's weird, but try it. That should set your core and bring your spine even more in line, essentially stabilizing your stance. Practice walking around like that, with long purposeful strides. Practice this until it feels normal. It is often said that it takes 21 days of repeating something for it to become a habit.Try walking with confidence with intention for 2 weeks and see what happens. Let me know here!
Source:
Peters, Justin. "Study Suggests Attackers Choose Victims Based on the Way They Walk." Slate Magazine. The Slate Group, 9 Apr. 2013. Web. <http://www.slate.com/blogs/crime/2013/04/09/journal_of_interpersonal_violence_study_suggests_attackers_choose_victims.html>.
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