High heels are a symbol of feminism.
Even if they hurt women's feet, they wear them because a high heel can make the legs look prettier and longer.
But some warn your choice of footwear could make you an easy target.
Rick Seid dedicates his life to helping women learn how to defend themselves. He is the founder of Frontline Krav Maga - Israeli Fighting System and the "Women's Fighting Chance" self-defense programs.
Women who take his classes are often dressed in comfortable clothes and sneakers but, Rick says, "At almost every woman's fighting chance seminar or workshop I do, one question always comes up."
The question is, 'How do I defend myself when I'm wearing heels?”
Seid says the most obvious answer isn't one women will want to hear.
"Wear flats. Wear something you can run and kick with and when you get to your destination put your shoes on."
If flats aren't an option, make sure you can do more than just "walk" in your heels.
Rick advises to, "Move around. Put your shoes on so you can move and go up on one leg. In case you are off balance you would have practiced ahead of time to be able to kick."
Another tip: When possible choose high heels that are easy to take on and off in case you need to use your shoe as a weapon.
Seid says a sharp high heel shoe can actually do some damage to an attacker.
"I'm grabbing her tight and she can come up to my neck and face and push (the heel) into my neck, face and eye or tender targets. What that will do is open me up and you can finish up with a strong kick."
Seid never teaches women to try to overtake or overpower their attacker. He teaches practical but effective moves that any women, of any size, can learn and use. The goal is always to simply "stun and run."
"You can do more damage with your head, a head butt, ripping to the eyes. A pencil is always good to use. If caught in a pinch there is nothing wrong with picking up something to use to get you out of a dangerous encounter. We're going to stomp, kick and high tail it out of here at quickly as you can or use your voice as a weapon and start yelling as you run away. You never know who's around to come help you," Seid says.
For more information contact Rick Seid at: http://fightingchanceprograms.org/
