I know this isn't politically or feministically correct but I have to add one more thing on the side of reality versus idealism or ignorance, so here goes: it seems like part of ms snortland's self defense agenda (having also read her book, seen her movie trailer and other articles) is to propegate the fact that size doensn't matter, and that a woman can be super fat or disabled and still effectively fight back. On that note, there's a picture above of a VERY VERY large overweight (OK, fat, there I said it)self defense teacher named "lisa Gata" who apparently is the HEAD of IMPACT self defense, the sensei I gather.

I'm all for women learning to fight back regardless of their size and ability but anyone worth a wit in the world of real fighting arts, defenisve tactics or self defense knows that if you have to physically fight off an assailant or rapist, your size and WHAT SHAPE you're in DOES matter and it effects, for example, how you move, your body mechanics, how much air you have, and your level of cardio fitness (for example, can you run? maintain a rapid heart rate engagement for at least two minutes; are you fit enough to take getting struck or thrown; can you deliver repeated moves without running out of air?) Simply put, essential fitness matters a lot. Don't kid yourself. Ask any one who's "been there."

I'm not saying women have to be in "great" shape to protect themselves, that's not true either or that overweight women cannot do so-- there's ample eviddence to the contrary - but you DO have to draw the line somewhere, and to be realisitc without all the feminist rah rah. So this party line mantra about any size, any shape being equal and that the HEAD of a prominnet women's self defense group is so grossly obese is not healthy or sane role modeling-- and most importantly, it is NOT grounded in reality.

I don't know whehter Ms Snortland or Ms. Gata has ever been attacked FOR REAL and acutally had to fight off an attacker who is pumped up on adrenaline and who hits HARD and FAST (unlike their padded guys), but being obese or excessively overweight is a serious detriment, a really overweight woman would have one helluva time fighting off a commited male attacker, and if she ended up on the ground, frankly (there's no pretty way to say this), she would be a little like a beeched whale, severely limtied in her ability to move, strike or kick quickly, explosively to defend herself. (Physically speaking, how can you even get off a good chambered kick with all that baggage in the way, holidng your legs back?) You can't.

I have to say this because we must be realistic while encouraging all women to learn to protect themselves. Especially if the women you are trying to reach are not going to train ongoingly in a martial or fighting art and are relying on a short term course to provide their survival tools and above all, the truth.