When a person enrolls in a martial arts or "self defense" program (or even contemplates doing so) their intention is to learn techniques for defeating another person in a physical confrontation. Their goal is to "stay safe." Makes sense, right?
Wrong.
Physical techniques are only a tiny part of the picture. If you truly want to maximize your safety and mitigate danger then you need to work on behaviors, habits, and beliefs. A person who has written about this extensively is Rory Miller. Read everything you can by this man. See the link in the menu "Reading List." Also, read his blog: http://chirontraining.blogspot.com/
I know what you are thinking, "Okay, smarty-pants, so if 90% of self-defense is mental preparation than why spend so much time practicing your kicks, punches, and other stuff?!"
1. I enjoy it
2. It is fun (see number 1)
3. It is good to have the option of ripping a hole in the other guy if the need arises...Just saying
On a side note: I have become fascinated with the whole parkour/free-running phenomena lately. It strikes me as perhaps the ultimate, non-confrontational martial art. Don't fight, run away, let the other guy injure him/herself trying to catch me.