‘It’s women empowering women’

As women’s self-defense course participants practice techniques, Gordon Martial Arts volunteer Dr. Alberto Barbon offers pointers. [PHOTO COURTESY OF GORDON MARTIAL ARTS]

CRESTVIEW — For many women, there’s nothing more frightening than being assaulted.

Fortunately, local martial arts experts say, a woman can take some basic steps to resist or defeat an attacker.

Gordon Martial Arts, in conjunction with the Crestview Police Department Community Services division, will offer a free Women’s Self-Defense Course 9-10:30 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 27 at the academy’s 130 Oakdale Ave. W. location.

"They do a really excellent program," Community Services Officer Sam Kimmons said. "We’ve offered it before and have gotten a lot of positive feedback from the women who participated."

Topics include identifying and using a woman’s natural weapons; identifying targets on a male assailant; how to listen to the inner voice and identify signs of an impending attack; how to defend oneself in an attack; and how to be more proactive and in control in an attack situation.

Grand Master Tom Gordon, owner of the studio, said his trained and certified female martial arts staff would instruct the course.

"The reason I love teaching this class so much is because it’s women empowering women," GMA managing director and course instructor Amanda Howard said.

Gordon said his staff would also cover situations such as being choked, being grabbed from behind and being pushed to the ground.

"It’s always good to give back to the community that we love so much," he said. "Greg Bledsoe and I started doing free women’s self-defense classes over 20 years ago. Now we’re in the unique position of going more into an assistants role as Mrs. Amanda Howard and Ms. Mary Valdez lead the classes.

"They can communicate directly to women in terms they understand best," Gordon said. "I’m just there to play the attacker and take the falls.

"It’s harder than it looks, by the way!"

WHAT: Free self-defense course

WHEN: 9-10:30 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 27

WHERE: Gordon Martial Arts, 130 Oakdale Ave., W., downtown Crestview

NOTES: Basics of self-defense instructed by trained and certified female martial artists; cosponsored by the Crestview Police Department. Pre-registration is not necessary.

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ‘It’s women empowering women’