NORFOLK — A karate dojo here is hosting a free self-defense seminar Saturday where women are empowered when they learn to take action against an attacker.
Bill Odom is a master instructor and owner of the Norfolk Karate Academy/Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Norfolk. He said “knowing how to deal with an aggressor enables all people, not just women, to think, speak, and act with clarity and confidence that would otherwise be muted by fear or apprehension.”
The monthly seminars are just a sample of the school’s “Women Empowered” program where women learn different methods to include “managing distance and escaping various holds.”
“Our immediate objective is to teach the participants some techniques in a way that not only shows the simplicity and effectiveness of the system but also replicates the enjoyable training environment and instructional methods,” Odom said.
The Women’s Center at ODU sponsors the two-hour workshop making it free and open to women of all fitness levels who are over the age of 12.
Odom said the seminar starts with a discussion on “how, where, and why a person could become a victim of an attack,” but attendees should come ready to move in workout apparel.
“The course will provide solutions to a variety of situations ranging from getting off the ground to managing distance to escaping once grabbed,” he said.
And the physical techniques aren’t the only beneficial part of the training.
Odom also said taking a self-defense class reduces a person’s stress and fear of injury when faced with threatening situations.
“The result is a person empowered by a more calm, clear, and calculated response under pressure,” he said.
Those interested in this month’s women’s self-defense seminar on Saturday should RSVP to the Norfolk Karate Academy by phone or email.
