Self Defense quite literally means using whatever means necessary to quickly end a situation that offers you grievous bodily injury. So taking evasive actions out of danger is self defense. Running away from a potentially dangerous situation for your is self defense. The best self defense is not putting yourself in danger in the first place. But this is not always possible.

Legally self defense is the use of force is justified when a person reasonably believes that it is necessary for the defense of oneself or another against the immediate use of unlawful force. However, a person must use no more force than appears reasonably necessary in the circumstances.

Self Defense is always geared towards one thing only i.e. ending an immediate physical threat directed towards you or your loved once. But bear in mind that self defense is not intended towards ending a perceived emotional threat that might hurt your feelings. Self Defense cannot be used to prove your superiority over others.

Self defense begins with self respect, knowledge of your rights and the determination and ability to protect those rights. We can learn self-defense against verbal and physical assaults by becoming aware of the facts about violence against women, by becoming assertive and skilled in physical self-defense.

Fighting or inciting violence is illegal but self defense is legal. If you are strolling in a garden and a few armed people come up to you and threaten you with your life and ask to give up all your belongings then defending yourself with any means possible is self defense. But on the other hand calling people with bad names or using foul verbal language to prove your dominance or inciting an attack on you first so that you get a chance to retaliate is not self defense.

Self Defense can only be in a situation when where you are honestly trying to withdraw from physical danger which occurred without your provocation.

In self defense your body language counts for a lot. The moment you stand up for your rights, walk and shout with authority, people think twice about attacking you. This can apply to anyone, even the elderly or women. If somebody has breached your privacy, the boundary of your property, your voice if used legally and your bold presence can be enough to deter them. But always mind your language while shouting. You could be withdrawing from a situation while calling bad names to your potential attacker will not be considered as being attacked without provocation. That would still constitute escalating the problem situation. You were physically backing off but you were still verbally attacking. In fact in some states have laws that state that you cannot use certain terms and then claim that you were attacked without provocation.

Clear thinking and decisive action are needed during any confrontation.