Basic self-defense taught at rape seminar
Mary Schuhriemen
Issue date: 11/25/08 Section: News
On Thursday, Nov. 20, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., a free rape prevention seminar was offered in the Maher Athletic Center. The seminar was taught by Mr. Jack Bolowskie, head instructor at Krav Maga DFW, a martial arts school in the area. Assisting him were two of his regular students, Dr. Matthew Ogilvie of the School of Ministry, who holds a green belt in Krav Maga, and junior John Hoffman.
Eight women attended the seminar, which was a hands-on approach to self defense. Bolowskie began by clarifying what constituted as an assault. "If you say 'no,' or 'get away' and someone tries to touch you anyway, [that is an assault]." With that in mind, he said, it is important to know how to defend one's self when forcefully attacked. First, each participant partnered up, and Bolowskie and his assistants guided them through basic techniques of using the body as a weapon. While one partner held a large black foam-stuffed pillow, the other practiced striking with her palms, knees, and feet. Bolowskie showed everyone the way to hit and kick which employs the most force. For instance, he said that using the base of the palm to strike allows the blow to utilize the force of the arm bones more effectively.
After the participants had practiced these basic strikes for some time, Bolowskie ran them through several scenarios. "When you are attacked," he said, "take care of the most immediate danger and then counter attack," adding that while it might not be in normal human nature to inflict pain, if assaulted, fight back and fight hard. The scenarios included how to break out of a strangle-hold, out of a bear-hold, and how to get someone off of you if you are on the ground. Even the smallest of the participants were able to successfully perform the scenarios. Junior Janet Buntain appreciated this part of the class. "I liked the class because everything they taught us we could do, no matter how strong you were or how big the other person was."
Afterwards, some of the participants shared the reason why they had attended the class. Freshman Quanisha Lewis said, "I really wanted to be more involved because lately, I've not been able to attend the self defense classes because of essays and work, so I thought this could be my chance to learn something more than talk. I was glad that he had a hands-on approach instead of [a lecture]. I'm glad I took the class."
Eight women attended the seminar, which was a hands-on approach to self defense. Bolowskie began by clarifying what constituted as an assault. "If you say 'no,' or 'get away' and someone tries to touch you anyway, [that is an assault]." With that in mind, he said, it is important to know how to defend one's self when forcefully attacked. First, each participant partnered up, and Bolowskie and his assistants guided them through basic techniques of using the body as a weapon. While one partner held a large black foam-stuffed pillow, the other practiced striking with her palms, knees, and feet. Bolowskie showed everyone the way to hit and kick which employs the most force. For instance, he said that using the base of the palm to strike allows the blow to utilize the force of the arm bones more effectively.
After the participants had practiced these basic strikes for some time, Bolowskie ran them through several scenarios. "When you are attacked," he said, "take care of the most immediate danger and then counter attack," adding that while it might not be in normal human nature to inflict pain, if assaulted, fight back and fight hard. The scenarios included how to break out of a strangle-hold, out of a bear-hold, and how to get someone off of you if you are on the ground. Even the smallest of the participants were able to successfully perform the scenarios. Junior Janet Buntain appreciated this part of the class. "I liked the class because everything they taught us we could do, no matter how strong you were or how big the other person was."
Afterwards, some of the participants shared the reason why they had attended the class. Freshman Quanisha Lewis said, "I really wanted to be more involved because lately, I've not been able to attend the self defense classes because of essays and work, so I thought this could be my chance to learn something more than talk. I was glad that he had a hands-on approach instead of [a lecture]. I'm glad I took the class."
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