Women need to know martial arts. We are living in times where it's irrelevant for a man to always protect you because he can’t accompany you to the ladies room. Transgender laws were just passed and now transgenders can use the bathroom of their choice, based on how they feel that day. Do I need to go into detail on how messed up this is? No, I thought not. So I’ve compiled a list of five martial arts that are perfect for women. I keep it real! I will say, however, and most importantly: Fighting is always a last resort.

1. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

I have had bad experiences. The most recent event pushed me to get into Jiu Jitsu. I had someone who was very threatening towards me and was scared to walk out to my car in the parking lot. I knew Tae Kwon Doe as a kid and got pretty good, but I didn’t consciously remember anything to do. She would not fight fair. I needed something, something quick, effective and easy to learn. And so when I went onto YouTube to look up any kind of martial art, one video caught my interest. Head movement and how to escape a fight, without beating the life out of your opponent. Yet.

This was and still is my instructor. I’ve never met him, but he helped me feel safer. I studied and practiced (alone) everything he taught and I gained muscle, a little skill, and felt a lot safer walking out. He taught me a lot and you can learn. If you have a partner, practice these moves with him. He gives you workouts, instruction, and is always open to giving advice and getting emails. Here is his website.

This is my other instructor, the one I went to very recently.

If you live in the Virginia area, please contact him. I will give you the website here. But what is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? It is a martial art, combat sport, and a self-defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting. It was formed from Kodokan Judo ground fighting (newaza). Brazilian jiu-jitsu eventually came to be its own art through the experiments, practices and adaptation of judo through Carlos and Hélio Gracie.

The reason women should do BJJ is because it is designed for a smaller, weaker person to use their leverage to successfully win a fight. It’s not easy per se, but it’s really fun to do. Once you get it, the reward is confidence. And also to know how to break someone's arms in three seconds or less. It also translates to the gentle art. Its name is pretty if you’re into that, but the moves are graceful.

Also, this beautiful girl right here, Eve Torres, knows BJJ. I really don’t think I want to cross her. Not only was this beauty in Stars Earn Stripes she was a damn good shot, always ready to learn, and did I mention she won?

2. Judo.

Many MMA (Mixed Martial Arts gyms) will incorporate Judo into their BJJ throws, but it’s also different. Judo is a martial art that was born in Japan, and it is now known around the world as an Olympic sport. Judo was established in 1882 by Dr. Jigoro Kano (The Father of Judo). He formed Kodokan Judo. The term Kodokan breaks down into ko (lecture, study, method), do (way or path) and kan (hall or place). Thus, it means “a place to study the way.” Similarly, judo breaks down into ju (gentle) and do (way or path) or “the gentle way”. In Judo, it incorporates elements of jujitsu, a form of wrestling, with mental discipline.

Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the objective is to either throw or takedown an opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue an opponent with a pin, or force an opponent to submit with a joint lock or a choke.

I cannot vouch but so much for Judo. I have only briefly studied it and never practiced it. The reason women should do this is because it’s competitive. It’s mental and physical fitness programs are a must. Also, women should get into this, because of this chick right here.

I have so much respect for her. Ronda Rousey is a talented woman who can kill you five ways from Sunday. And looks gorgeous! She's also 5'7" and is not much taller than me. She's like 20lbs more of pure muscle.

3. Krav Maga.

Ah, yes, Krav Maga! I love this art and it’s different, totally different from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo. Krav Maga was founded by the IDF (the Israeli Defense Forces). If you know anything about Israel, you know that they are an amazing group of people…who will beat the heck out of you with your own fist or weapon. Krav Maga translated from Hebrew into English, as ‘Contact Combat’ was initially developed as an unarmed combat system by Imi Lichtenfeld for the IDF due to its no-nonsense approach. Krav Maga has since been adapted by Eyal Yanilov to meet the needs of civilians, law enforcement officers and security personnel.

One reason why women should get into it is this beautiful woman right here. Avital Zeisler is an instructor in Krav Maga. Her story is sad but all too common. After being sexually assaulted by someone she knew, her father suggested she get into Krav Maga. This girl took it to the max. She is strikingly beautiful and I would love to train under her. Krav Maga also focuses on striking and you can't always get to a place where you can grapple, knowing Krav Maga can save your life. Plus Israel uses it to train their soldiers, and I trust and love my Israel.

4. Kali.

Kali is a striking form of Martial Art and it incorporates the use of sticks and knives. The focus of Kali is much like Krav Maga, though it’s origins are different, and it has been described as the “defensive” style to Krav Maga. I think about it like this. Krav Maga style gets the weapon out of your hand and then uses it against you to beat the life out of you and never let you forget it, Kali just disarms. It is still an extremely valuable, invaluable, actually, piece to the Martial Arts puzzle, and do not take it lightly.

Kali is the Filipino style of fighting and was started by various tribes in order to defend against one another. It is a martial arts style that puts the focus on the ability to transition from fighting with weapons to empty hands fluidly, as there is always the possibility of losing or being without a weapon. Though there are several systems of Eskrima/Kali in use today, most teach elements of weapons fighting, striking, grappling and throwing/ takedowns. There are many aspects to Kali and it’s great for women. Men are not going to expect you to know this. It may seem intense, but that is the world for you.

5. Muay Thai.

This is a combat sport of Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques.This physical and mental discipline which includes combat on shins is known as "the art of eight limbs" because it is characterized by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees, shins, being associated with a good physical preparation that makes a full-contact fighter very efficient. Formal muay Thai techniques are divided into two groups: mae mai or major techniques and luk mai or minor techniques. Muay Thai is often a fighting art of attrition, where opponents exchange blows with one another. This is certainly the case with traditional stylists in Thailand but is a less popular form of fighting in the contemporary world fighting circuit where the Thai style of exchanging blow for blow is no longer favorable. Almost all techniques in muay Thai use the entire body movement, rotating the hip with each kick, punch, elbow and block.

Because of the full range of motion used in Muay Tai, it is a very powerful form of striking. It’s quick and more importantly effective.

This girl is Amanda Kelly if you want to research her more. So this is exactly why we as women need to know Martial Arts.

1. It’s just common sense to know how to defend yourself.

2. You protect others, too, because it isn’t just about you!

3. You look like a female John Wick when you do. Don’t you wanna be John Wick? Well? Do you?