Either of the two major forms of individuals that occur in many species and that are distinguished respectively as female or male.

Visual skill to diffuse energy. Soft focus involves controlling one's attention to look through the eyes using the peripheral vision rather than direct, eye-to-eye focus. See also: Direct Focus.

An ideology of male domination and the resulting actions that hold one half of the human race as lesser or subordinate, due to gender; gender-conditioning of children, women, and men.

Inappropriate behaviors which involve the Violation of personal Boundaries, including those resulting from or indicating a lack of respect for individual privacy, dignity and self-determination, and/or property.

The relationships, people, institutions, objects, or environments that can be affected by an individual's actions. To act outside one's sphere of influence (e.g., to complain about national politics) is generally regarded as disempowering. Recognizing the sphere of influence is one method in controlling one’s personal power.

That which is traditionally believed to be the vital principle or animating force behind the quality of livingness. In self-defense training, spirit is seen as the quality of a person and is reflected in one’s thoughts, actions, emotions and speech. Personal empowerment is a spiritual activity as it involves all aspects of the person.

1. A plan of action, often subconscious.
2. The aggressor’s plan to assault.

A model for evaluating the level of integration of new skills and information. MLS teachers use the SOL to assist students to evaluate their learning and attainment of self-defense skills. Stages in this model include: Exposure; Values Shift; Organizing Principle; Proficiency; and Embodiment.

1. The state, quality, or fact of relating to, consisting of, or having the nature of what is not tangible or material.
2. Of, concerned with, or affecting the soul.  Within the MLS context, spirituality refers to one's Values and beliefs concerning personal potential and connection with universal and unknown forces.