Self-defense is a long term process and therefore, dedication. Its secret lies NOT on mere accumulation of the knowledge which you possess like a bookshelf consisting of different and compartmentalized textbooks, but on the realization and integration of the minimalistic relationships between instinct and its deliberate and kinesthetic assessment of the cause and effect arrangements under pressure. That’s what the true definition of martial art, or the purest framework of the science of fighting lies in. This realization and understanding is a process that begins with the brain, but it must ultimately settle in every muscle fiber, and more importantly, within the innate and acquired intuition and human psyche.
Moreover, physical stages of learning such as: Initial learning, early on physical adaptation, major adaptation, application, and performance——all take time to develop. If there is no long term and consistent resistance (sparring, rolling), then there is no applied learning and development.
Short term self-defense programs (15-18 hrs) could not possibly be sufficient amount of time for what I had mentioned above. The more continuous your sparring and rollings are the more promising the results. Taking seminars and workshops are also very good, but unless you spar and roll, they can easily become nothing but leisure time, distraction, and mere entertainment.
Again, self-defense is not a mere accumulation of the knowledge which you possess like a bookshelf consisting of different and compartmentalized textbooks, but on realization and integration of the minimalistic relationships between instinct and its deliberate and kinesthetic assessment of the cause and effect arrangements under pressure.