Class teaches women how to protect themselves
COOS BAY, Ore.-A local team is teaching women how to protect themselves with a six week free women's self defense class.
Mike Turner, Sensei at the Red Sun dojo says they got the idea of offering the class when domestic violence struck close to home.
"We had a young friend that was raped a year ago and it made us very aware of the violence against females," Turner said.
According to the Oregon Department of Human Services, nearly one-third of Oregon women have experienced violent victimization.
Turner's one hour course teaches women how to react, maneuver and strike so they can get out of harms way. He has been a martial arts instructor for over 30 years. He and his wife recently opened their studio in Downtown Coos Bay.
Initially many of the dozen or so women that showed up to the class were coy at the idea of hitting someone or something.
"So many ladies have never been taught how to punch, how to make a correct fist," Turner said. "You can make your fist very strong, very powerful so it is almost like hitting someone with a rock."
Soon after they were introduced to a punching bag dummy with a human face and cut abs they found out throwing a few punches can be empowering.
"Sometimes just that sense of empowerment and feeling confident when your walking down the street will actually detour somebody from attacking you," Courtney Silva, a participant at the class said.
Turner uses simple techniques that are designed to help you defend yourself and escape from a predator.
He taught each student how poke an attacker in the throat so they will release you. The class also learned how to escape when someone is holding them by the hair.
Turner says he will teach new techniques in each class.
Classes are Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
Mike Turner, Sensei at the Red Sun dojo says they got the idea of offering the class when domestic violence struck close to home.
"We had a young friend that was raped a year ago and it made us very aware of the violence against females," Turner said.
According to the Oregon Department of Human Services, nearly one-third of Oregon women have experienced violent victimization.
Turner's one hour course teaches women how to react, maneuver and strike so they can get out of harms way. He has been a martial arts instructor for over 30 years. He and his wife recently opened their studio in Downtown Coos Bay.
Initially many of the dozen or so women that showed up to the class were coy at the idea of hitting someone or something.
"So many ladies have never been taught how to punch, how to make a correct fist," Turner said. "You can make your fist very strong, very powerful so it is almost like hitting someone with a rock."
Soon after they were introduced to a punching bag dummy with a human face and cut abs they found out throwing a few punches can be empowering.
"Sometimes just that sense of empowerment and feeling confident when your walking down the street will actually detour somebody from attacking you," Courtney Silva, a participant at the class said.
Turner uses simple techniques that are designed to help you defend yourself and escape from a predator.
He taught each student how poke an attacker in the throat so they will release you. The class also learned how to escape when someone is holding them by the hair.
Turner says he will teach new techniques in each class.
Classes are Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
