Free Women's Self Defense Class

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF FARMINGTON VALLEY EMPOWERS WITH

“BEST FOR WOMEN” SELF-DEFENSE WORKSHOPS

 Farmington Valley, CT – In a world where one in three women will experience a violent attack or be sexually assaulted, Soroptimist International of Farmington Valley, CT (SIFV) - a group of women business professionals, some who are black belts in Taekwondo - continue to hold their “Best for Women” self-defense workshops free of charge at Yu’s Academy of Martial Arts. The next self-defense workshop is scheduled for Saturday July 28th from 2 - 4 PM.  Last year, members of “Best for Women Self-Defense” taught over 200 women basic self-defense moves in workshops held at Yu’s Academy, Avon High School, and in Hartford and Bloomfield schools through the YWLC (the Young Women’s Leadership Connection  http://www.ywlc.org.sg/).

“The first rule of self defense is RUN,” comments Kathleen Oyanadel, one of the instructors.  “That is what Grand Master Yu teaches us at the school.”  Kathleen holds a black belt in Taekwondo, 2nd brown belt in Judo, and has completed Rape Aggression Defense classes.  She explains that the workshops are geared toward women and teen girls.  Attendees learn to be aware of their surroundings, look for exits and protect themselves in aggressive situations.  They also learn to use their voices in a defensive stance to tell their attackers to “BACK OFF.”  Several techniques are taught and the students get to practice each technique.  They are encouraged to pick one or two of the many techniques taught and hone in on them. The last 30 minutes of the workshop is dedicated to individualized instruction where the attendees punch and heavily kick padded “attackers”. 

 To register for the July 28th “Best for Women Self-Defense” workshop or more information, please contact Kathleen at (860) 614-5676 or visit www.bestforwomenselfdefense.com.  Soroptimist International of Farmington Valley, CT is a 501(c)(3) organization comprised of a diverse membership of professional and business women who are committed to improving the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.  For more information about SIFV visit www.soroptimistner.org.