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Opening the Doors to Healthier and Stress-Free Living

A Column by Alice Abbott-Moore,
Content Access/Information Delivery Teams, Ekstrom Library

In Defense of Yourself

They say some of the best things in life are free. Well, I have to say that I encountered definitely one of those gifts in life yesterday afternoon: Women's Self-Defense Training.

This is a class I have heard about for years but never found the time to take. When I saw the class being offered in the Staff Development & Wellness Opportunities brochure for fall 2000, I decided that amid all of the things that are going on in my life, I needed to take this class. The class is co-sponsored by the Staff Development & Wellness office, the PEACC (Prevention, Education & Advocacy on Campus and in the Community) Program and the Jefferson County Office for Women.

Sharon Vance taught the class. Vance learned the skills twenty-five years ago and has been teaching ever since. The participants in the class ranged from the very athletic to the very non-athletic. There was also a span of age as well. I was really taken aback when one young lady asked about what folks should do who are short of stature. This was something I never considered. I have always taken for granted my average height. Nevertheless, all of the women in the class learned what they could do should they encounter attackers who are much larger than they are.

One didn't have to be an Olympic athlete to benefit from the techniques described and shown in the class. Everyone had the chance to utilize and apply the newly taught skills. In fact, the gentleman who was portrayed to be a mugger gave each participant an experience of what it was like to be attacked. We as the students applied self-defense techniques.

This class is a must for women: aunts, daughters, grandmothers, mothers, nieces, and sisters. In fact, the class is free to faculty, staff, and students. Also, daughters of employees may participate in the class.

You still have a chance to sign up for a class. The remaining classes are:

Monday, October 23, 2000
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Room 110
Abell Administration Building
Health Sciences Center

Thursday, November 2, 2000
5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Aerobics Studio
Student Activities Center Gymnasium
Belknap Campus

I cannot say it strongly enough: this class is one of the most valuable learning experiences I have been given. In fact, it may save my life or yours someday.