Frequently Asked Questions

Dynamic Self Defense is a dynamic, progressive and complete martial art system that combines the best aspects of traditional martial arts modified for self-defense with the latest scientific training methods. For those familiar with traditional martial arts, it can be best visualized as mixed martial art cross between Muay Thai Kickboxing and Jujitsu. Of course everything taught in Dynamic Self-Defense is adapted for practical self-defense. (Read our article "What's In A Name" for more...)

For most people training in Dynamic Self Defense it's their first time taking martial arts of any kind. Our program is designed to quickly build usable self-defense skills regardless of prior background. We also have people in DSD that have trained in other martial arts. DSD is a very open system (we adapt the most practical self-defense tactics from a variety of traditional and combat styles) and we welcome participants regardless of prior background.

While you should take the same care in your self-defense training as you would in starting any exercise program, there is nothing special you need to get started in your training. Everyone is allowed to rest when and as they need to. We are here to teach you self-defense and to motivate you to get into shape. Our exercises are adapted to your ability and your fitness will grow as a natural result of continued training.

Our children's curriculum is designed for kids age 6 and up. Kids younger than this often have difficulty understanding concepts of self-defense. It's also often the age when bullying begins in their daily setting, such as at school, on the bus or on the playground.

We do not separate our kids into groups based on age or size. This benefits students because they learn that techniques work differently for them depending on the size of their attacker, thereby developing skills they can actually use beyond the controlled setting of the training room.

Parents should be aware  that martial arts programs for preschool children are not true martial arts programs at all. They are simply an activity with a uniform and as such provide the same benefit that any other sport or gymnasic activity provides. However, they do not teach your child self-defense.

You can read more about Master Lowery, Master Hennings and their backgrounds here... Learn more about the history of Dynamic Self Defense here...

In short, we're all about survival, not rituals or tournaments.

Traditional martial arts have a lot of aspects that are not related to self-defense. For example: Complex forms, often known as kata's, can show technique but often include unrealistic visualization and impractical stances. Weapons training such as staff, sword or nunchuks look good but again are impractical in real world scenarios. Other cultural aspects like meditation, fasting, chi and so forth only dilute time spent training for actual survival.

Anther key difference is that Dynamic Self Defense isn't a sport - at least not in the competitive sense. We don't train people to fight in the ring or compete in the Olympics. These environments have rules which are counterproductive to surviving a real violent encounter.

Learn more about how DSD is different from traditional styles in detailed article "What Makes Dynamic Self Defense Practical Defense" and from our Blog.

Both DSD and Krav are essentially street fighting arts. In that context, there is less difference between DSD and Krav as say between DSD and Karate. Though we may have slightly different ways of getting to the same end result.

The biggest difference between DSD and Krav Maga is that Dynamic Self Defense is an American Martial Art where Krav is Israeli. Both are based on a foundation of practical and instinctual movements and both have a background in traditional as well a military application. New Albany DSD is multicultural or rather we don't present culture as part of our curriculum. In fact, our founders have stated that martial arts should not be used as a political tool or run as a cult.

On a technical level, DSD varies from Krav in that we tend to incorporate more ground fighting into our curriculum (because the odds of a defense situation ending on the ground are high) while Krav incorporates using weapons, for example, a rifle in self-defense - something we don't see as practical for civilian use.

We encourage questions and we would invite you to preview a class to see if Dynamic Self Defense is right for you.