WOMEN OF HAKHOFSHIM
if you would like to learn
BASIC SELF-DEFENSE ANGELFORMS
Then present yourselves to Sister Hava
on the 21st of Shavat
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notice on the announcements board of the HaKhofshim Mekdash
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"Good morning, Sisters, and welcome to Basic Self-Defense Angelforms," Sister Hava says. She hangs up her shawl and outer coat and rolls her shoulders. "First, I would like to thank all of you for coming, both for the sake of your own physical and spiritual cultivation and also for the sake of your safety. I would also like to thank our good sages for granting us the use of the temple in today's schedule."
The temple floor is occupied by rows of kneeling women, most of them girls and young women, but with all ages represented, even venerable Babas. Hava rolls her shoulders again; an involuntary flex of the muscles meant to limber them up, brought on by the tension of the moment. Hava has faced down charging Originator Juries, but somehow public speaking impresses a great deal of weight on her.
"While today we are here to discuss the physical act of self-defense, I would like to say a few words on preventing fights before they occur. Simply put, it is my hope that none of you will have to put what you learn here into practice, as doing so should be a last resort when you are only certainly in harm's way. I am sure many of you know the value of not walking unaccompanied in unfamiliar neighborhoods, but an assault is if anything more likely, and shamefully, to occur in the home or workplace at the hands of one you already know. Remember that running is a preferable option if it is possible, especially if your attacker is armed."
Hava paces back and forth, hands clasped behind her back, less like a learned guru and more like a big cat in a menagerie. The words come out rapid-fire, but she stops and faces her audience, allowing their meaning to sink in.
"It has been said by the wise that to learn, one must first unlearn. For example, the great Pasan Ghadi spoke rightly of a Fist to the Jaw of Evil, but in my experience doing so literally is more likely to end in broken fingers than a broken skull. God in his wisdom has granted us with very hard heads to protect our brains, as I'm sure some of you know from experience with men."
A smattering of polite giggles; that is good.
"I have found that a strike with the heel of the palm, directed at the throat or the eyes, is more effective, although I will concede that 'a Heel-Palm Strike to the Throat of Evil' perhaps does not roll off the tongue quite as well. Similarly, the elbows and knees have more direct power behind them.
Still, if you must make a fist, it must be in the proper shape."
At Hava's bidding, the women rise and present an outstretched fist. Hava walks the rows and corrects them with gentle nudges.
"Hmm, we will have to work on proper stances next week. Here, first and foremost, the thumb goes on the outside of the fist - if your punch connects otherwise, you are liable to break your thumb. Here as well, keep your wrist straight. Ensure the force of the blow travels along your arm, and that your wrist is not damaged."
The other quickly women correct their form at Hava's suggestion; already, their effectiveness has increased twofold, in Hava's estimation.
"This is a good cause for contemplation - it is not enough to simply make a fist and present it to the Jaw of Evil, the fist must have the correct form, to maximize effectiveness and reduce your chance of harming yourself more than your enemy. Meditate on this between now and next week's lesson, while you practice.
Now, bring out the practice dummies and I shall demonstrate a proper heel-palm strike. Remember, aim for the eyes and the throat."
