Q: Can I join your karate school?
A: Sure. But you'll have to cut your finger nails.
Q: My what?
A: Your nails. Yep. Otherwise you can't make a good fist and you might hurt someone.
Q: But I love my nails.
A: Sorry. But it just isn't safe.
Q: But isn't that the whole reason to learn self-defense? Is to be less safe? Would you tell a tiger to cut his claws?
A: Um..I don't know. It's always been that way.
Finger Nails Q & A
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Finger Nails Q & A
A: Ok, I will pair you up with the guy who refuses to stop using his fangs, he bites.
Finger Nails Q & A
Tigers can retract their claws. 
I find that my nails are just as effective short as they are long. Better in fact, because my nails are less likely to break and I have full use of my fingers (making a fist, typing, putting in a contact lense, etc.).
I find that my nails are just as effective short as they are long. Better in fact, because my nails are less likely to break and I have full use of my fingers (making a fist, typing, putting in a contact lense, etc.).
Finger Nails Q & A
I don't want to practice joint locks with someone who has nails. If you HAVE to keep them, that's fine it doesn't bother me. You're just not going to work with me.
I can't imagine someone trying to play basketball with long nails.
I can't imagine someone trying to play basketball with long nails.
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Dana Sheets
- Posts: 2715
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:01 am
Finger Nails Q & A
Most women need self-defense training.
Most women will not cut their nails.
Therefore, most women will not get self-defense training at a traditional martial arts school where you must cut your nails.
So most women, who need to learn self-defense are not going to be able to learn it from the most high profile and likely source in this country.
So that means they're going to go to 1, 2 day or 1-6 week workshops where they don't have to cut their nails and we've talked about how that may not build any skill, it may only build confidence (which is equally priceless.)
This bothers me. I've been responsible for thinking - HA, she won't last one I tell her she has to cut her nails. And I've been right. And now, I really question the rationale and the consequences of this standard practice.
Dana
Most women will not cut their nails.
Therefore, most women will not get self-defense training at a traditional martial arts school where you must cut your nails.
So most women, who need to learn self-defense are not going to be able to learn it from the most high profile and likely source in this country.
So that means they're going to go to 1, 2 day or 1-6 week workshops where they don't have to cut their nails and we've talked about how that may not build any skill, it may only build confidence (which is equally priceless.)
This bothers me. I've been responsible for thinking - HA, she won't last one I tell her she has to cut her nails. And I've been right. And now, I really question the rationale and the consequences of this standard practice.
Dana
Finger Nails Q & A
Hmmmm. You certainly make a good point to consider, Dana.
I don't think that it's truly the nails issue that prevents women from training. The cutting my nails scenario is just a convient excuse for them to opt out. There's always a way around having to cutting nails...wear gloves/pads when she's doing self-defense, tape them up, have her do techniques where she's not going to claw someone to death, have her partner up with another long nailed person, etc.
The crash course self-defense seminars that you mentioned are, in my opinion, more appealing than your typical martial arts to most women. It wouldn't matter if traditional martial arts let women have 12 inch nails, wear more jewellery than Mr. T, more make up than Tammy Fay, and doused in enough perfume to kill an elephant. Your traditional martial arts won't able to compete for most women's attention.
Why? Because the crash courses are taught within a very short time frame, don't require a huge commitment, you don't receive nearly as many bruises, it's not as daunting as going into a dojo, you're surrounded by other women, you receive a huge confidence boost for accomplishing very little, the main aim is to defend yourself against an attacker, and most importantly it's marketed and aimed specifically at women .
Back to your original statment about long nails..wouldn't cutting your nails be the first step into admitting you need self-defense lessons? It's like wearing a tight fitting skirt and three inch heels because you look good in it, but you wouldn't be able to run or fight in it. Vanity or survival?
[This message has been edited by Colleen (edited May 20, 2002).]
I don't think that it's truly the nails issue that prevents women from training. The cutting my nails scenario is just a convient excuse for them to opt out. There's always a way around having to cutting nails...wear gloves/pads when she's doing self-defense, tape them up, have her do techniques where she's not going to claw someone to death, have her partner up with another long nailed person, etc.
The crash course self-defense seminars that you mentioned are, in my opinion, more appealing than your typical martial arts to most women. It wouldn't matter if traditional martial arts let women have 12 inch nails, wear more jewellery than Mr. T, more make up than Tammy Fay, and doused in enough perfume to kill an elephant. Your traditional martial arts won't able to compete for most women's attention.
Why? Because the crash courses are taught within a very short time frame, don't require a huge commitment, you don't receive nearly as many bruises, it's not as daunting as going into a dojo, you're surrounded by other women, you receive a huge confidence boost for accomplishing very little, the main aim is to defend yourself against an attacker, and most importantly it's marketed and aimed specifically at women .
Back to your original statment about long nails..wouldn't cutting your nails be the first step into admitting you need self-defense lessons? It's like wearing a tight fitting skirt and three inch heels because you look good in it, but you wouldn't be able to run or fight in it. Vanity or survival?
[This message has been edited by Colleen (edited May 20, 2002).]
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Dana Sheets
- Posts: 2715
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:01 am
Finger Nails Q & A
When I go to a formal event, should I not wear heels and a dress? Because I should be more concerned about the "combat readiness" of my outfit than how I look as a woman?
Finger Nails Q & A
Overalls and barefeet would be much more appropriate. 
No, I didn't mean for it to sound as though women shouldn't dress up. Women can look gorgeous without having to risk their manoeuvrability. I don't think it's either-or situation, you can incorporate both. For instance, if a gal wants to wear a form fitting dress...there are lots of materials out there which will supply form fitting look but also allow for a wide range of movements.
If you can barely walk in three inch heels and have to shorten your stride because of an exceptionally tight skirt/dress, how could you expect to run or fight off unwanted attention if you needed. It's not just attackers on the street, there can be predators dressed up at parties too.
[This message has been edited by Colleen (edited May 20, 2002).]
No, I didn't mean for it to sound as though women shouldn't dress up. Women can look gorgeous without having to risk their manoeuvrability. I don't think it's either-or situation, you can incorporate both. For instance, if a gal wants to wear a form fitting dress...there are lots of materials out there which will supply form fitting look but also allow for a wide range of movements.
If you can barely walk in three inch heels and have to shorten your stride because of an exceptionally tight skirt/dress, how could you expect to run or fight off unwanted attention if you needed. It's not just attackers on the street, there can be predators dressed up at parties too.
[This message has been edited by Colleen (edited May 20, 2002).]
Finger Nails Q & A
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dana Sheets:
When I go to a formal event, should I not wear heels and a dress? Because I should be more concerned about the "combat readiness" of my outfit than how I look as a woman?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Excellent points, Dana-Sensei.
I'm old enough to remember the days when a woman HAD to wear heels to work at an office, department store or just about anywhere else that wasn't on a farm.
I was never more glad than when I started seeing women opting to wear running shoes to and from work a few years back - for several reasons, including combat readiness and flight readiness.
The other reason is that heels (delightful as they look and make the legs look) are very damaging to the foot, generally speaking.
But a good set of heels makes a REALLY great impromptu weapon system - use them like a pick-hammer. NASTY!
In a formal situation, one does not generally expect mortal combat. One might expect a drunken twit to attempt fondling or the like, but rarely have I ever seen a full-fledged fistfight break out at a formal event - and I work a lot of those as an entertainer, so I have a pretty good base to make that statement from.
However, going TO and FROM said formal event, one might expect a problem and allow for it by taking an extra pair of tight slippers with good rubber ridged soles. I know several women that do that (and admitted it only after I mentioned that it might be a good idea). That allows you the mobility that a flat, rubber sole gives and also allows one to change into the killer heels when needs be.
Just a couple of thoughts from a professional entertainer who used to study actively.
Lee Darrow, C.Ht. http://come.to/Lee_Darrow
When I go to a formal event, should I not wear heels and a dress? Because I should be more concerned about the "combat readiness" of my outfit than how I look as a woman?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Excellent points, Dana-Sensei.
I'm old enough to remember the days when a woman HAD to wear heels to work at an office, department store or just about anywhere else that wasn't on a farm.
I was never more glad than when I started seeing women opting to wear running shoes to and from work a few years back - for several reasons, including combat readiness and flight readiness.
The other reason is that heels (delightful as they look and make the legs look) are very damaging to the foot, generally speaking.
But a good set of heels makes a REALLY great impromptu weapon system - use them like a pick-hammer. NASTY!
In a formal situation, one does not generally expect mortal combat. One might expect a drunken twit to attempt fondling or the like, but rarely have I ever seen a full-fledged fistfight break out at a formal event - and I work a lot of those as an entertainer, so I have a pretty good base to make that statement from.
However, going TO and FROM said formal event, one might expect a problem and allow for it by taking an extra pair of tight slippers with good rubber ridged soles. I know several women that do that (and admitted it only after I mentioned that it might be a good idea). That allows you the mobility that a flat, rubber sole gives and also allows one to change into the killer heels when needs be.
Just a couple of thoughts from a professional entertainer who used to study actively.
Lee Darrow, C.Ht. http://come.to/Lee_Darrow
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tunetigress
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:01 am
- Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
- Contact:
Finger Nails Q & A
I have had plenty of experience with girls and women and their nails throughout my training and long career in the Music field. You want to play the violin? You must cut your nails, male or female, you just can't get anywhere on violin if you don't play in tune because you won't cut your nails. Same goes for guitar, or any other stringed instrument. Piano as well, for that matter, how many female concert pianists have you seen with long nails? They have all had to cut them in order to advance in their training. I cut mine to learn to play guitar in 1969 and discovered I could do way more things without them. I also discovered that you can have lovely, nicely manicured nails, and still keep them short. Women in many professions and activities must modify their appearance from the culturally dictated 'norm' in order to do their jobs effectively and have done so for ages without making a big deal about it. I can't help but think the fingernail issue is just a major cop-out by people not particularly interested in pursuing Martial Arts training in the first place. Fingertip push-ups must be really hard to do with long nails! How much common sense does a woman need to use to realise that the darn things *do* grow back all by themselves, and if they don't enjoy training after all, well they can grow them back, just like musicians or anyone else for that matter.
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Respectfully, _(_)_ Tune
[This message has been edited by tunetigress (edited May 20, 2002).]
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Respectfully, _(_)_ Tune
[This message has been edited by tunetigress (edited May 20, 2002).]
