You know that the world is a violent place, and you're worried that sooner or later you will find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. You have at least three options when faced with the harsh realities of modern life:

Option 1: Do not change anything. Carry on with your life and hope that you stay lucky.

Option 2: Restrict your movements to avoid potential trouble. Stay in more, curb your social life, and steer clear of other people.

Option 3: Seek out a self-defense course so that you will know what to do if you are ever attacked.

Let's explore the most proactive choice which is, of course, option three. Not everyone wants to attend martial arts classes, and not everyone can afford them, so what is the alternative? Inexpensive online lessons. You learn simple techniques in your own time following the instructions that you read and see online. Thousands of people have already given themselves a massive confidence boost and a whole new lease of life by learning how they can protect themselves using methods and courses they found on the Internet. It's a perfect solution that almost anyone can benefit from, including you.

What should you expect from online self-defense lessons?

Let's get something out of the way right now - you should not expect to become the next Bruce Lee, although there is an ex-middleweight mixed martial arts champion called Rich Franklin, who first learned submission fighting by watching and copying instructional videos! However, becoming a champion is not your goal. Your goal is to teach yourself hand to hand combat techniques that will protect you, and might even save your life.

After watching some of the self-protection methods promoted in the many videos you can find scattered around the Internet, you might find yourself slightly perplexed, wondering what your first steps should be. You should look at your lifestyle and find a course that is appropriate for your needs.

• Does your occupation put you at more risk than normal?

• Are you fit and healthy enough for strenuous training methods?

• Do you have training partners or are you learning alone?

• Do you want to be trained in weapon defense?

• Is there a particular martial art that appeals to you?

• Would you prefer very basic or more complicated methods?

• Do you expect to be training for years to come?

All these questions, and any others that apply specifically to your situation, should be considered when choosing a method of teaching yourself self-defense online. Spend some time searching through the vast and fascinating online world and take notes as you go, marking down favorites as you go. Make a short-list and read about the instructors, the methods, and the claims, and from their pick whichever one you feel will benefit you most.

Tell your friends that you are starting an online training course for self-defense, and try to enlist their help. A training partner is not necessary for good results, but it is more fun and more effective for a realistic learning environment.

Above all, keep in mind that this is a serious business that you need to get right. If you're out there in the big bad world some day and an attacker decides to target you, then the techniques you learn now could save you from serious injury, or even save your life.