Don’t Become the Next Victim, Learn Self defense

To avoid becoming the next victim of a crime, women are being encouraged to take an active approach to protecting themselves.

AWARE is a self defense system designed specifically for women. In the class women learn, not only how to defend themselves with basic blocks and strikes, but also how to prevent attacks before they happen.

"What we want to teach women is to walk around and hold their heads high, which makes them look confident and makes them less of a target," said AWARE Instructor Brad Seward.  "If I’m only watching the little space in front of me or my vehicle I don’t know what’s going on around, but if I see every possible scenario I know my escape route, I know if there is something in my car before I get in it, I know if someone is there and I’m going to make the eye contact to deter them from attacking me."

Seward said the most important thing is to teach quick techniques that will cause physical damage to an attacker- giving the victim time to get away.

"We teach them stuff like driving their thumbs through their opponents eyes, or fingers through their throat, or knees to their groin,"explained Seward. "Then we extend how to actually generate power from their own body."

Classes are currently being held at the Tri Valley Fitness Center in Dresden. For more information visit, www.awareforwomen.com or call 740-754-2978.