Self-Defense Club, The Gym, Monday afternoon

[itsjustlanguage.livejournal.com]

"Sometimes staying safe means that you have be aware of your surroundings," said Hoshi. "It's easy to get distracted by talking on the phone or text messaging when you're walking around on your own. In a sense, it feels safer because you're connected to someone else. The problem is that you miss the all the other signs that may otherwise tell you to beware. Today we're going to practice being silent and aware. Pair up with someone else, watch them silently, and try to figure out what's going through their mind."

She paused for a moment before adding, "Of course, if the silence is too much for you, there's still the punching bags."