Florida Aikido Center Hosts December 10th Self-Defense Seminar for Women and Teen Girls

Dec. 7, 2011 - PRLog -- Florida Aikido Center (http://www.flaikidocenter.com) will be hosting a two-hour seminar aimed at providing women with a small but reliable arsenal of basic, easy-to-execute self-defense techniques that can be used against aggressors of all sizes. Subjects to be covered include situational awareness; countering grabs, chokes and strikes; safely taking a hit or shove; escaping multiple attackers, and effective "up close" striking techniques. Additionally, time will be dedicated to addressing specific self-defense concerns, such as defense from a prone position, use of improvised weapons and fear management tips.

WHEN:
Saturday, December 10th, 2011 from 12:30 to 2:30pm

WHERE:
Florida Aikido Center
4405 W. South Avenue
Tampa, FL 33614

WHY:
According to the Domestic Violence Resource Center, approximately 1 in 3 women in the United States will experience some form of physical abuse, assault or rape in their lifetime. While this statistic isn’t limited to any specific race or creed, those most at risk are teenage girls, single women and recent divorcees. Recognizing this, Gina Boccolucci and Bryce Smith, martial arts instructors at Florida Aikido Center, designed a seminar series specifically to address the practical self-defense needs of women of all ages.  

According to Gina Boccolucci, “When Bryce and I began putting together this self-defense course, we gave ourselves the goal of assembling a handful of techniques that will allow a non-martial artist to quickly escape or overcome an attacker that is likely larger, stronger and more aggressive. Borrowing from Aikido, Karate, Judo and several other styles, we came up with a curriculum that we feel is effective for women of all ages, fitness levels and body types. While this is not a martial arts class in the traditional sense – absolutely no uniforms, no rigid stances, no body conditioning and no ceremony – we’re going to do some serious, physical work, and hopefully everyone that attends comes away with a very positive experience.”

This month’s seminar will focus on using everyday items as improvised self-defense weapons. Attendees are encouraged to bring with them two or three items that they regularly carry on themselves or in their vehicle. Some good examples are car keys, earbuds, a flashlight, a towel, a rolled-up magazine, a belt, “The Club” or an umbrella. We will also discuss making or purchasing small, easily carried improvised weapons.

It is recommended that seminar attendees wear comfortable loose-fitting clothing similar to what one would wear to a Yoga class. Bottled water is available to all paying attendees.

HOW MUCH:
$35 per person (group rates are available)
$180 for 6-months of seminars

MEDIA VISUALS / SOUND BITES:
•   Seminar attendees being taught self-defense techniques
•   Instructors discussing basic tips for self-defense
•   Attendee reactions to techniques being taught
•   Interview attendees about the seminar and about self-defense issues

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About Florida Aikido Center
Open since 2008, the Florida Aikido Center offers an open, encouraging and respectful training environment to anybody ready and willing to learn. While the Florida Aikido Center is a “traditional” Japanese martial arts school, the atmosphere is friendly, accepting and ego-free, allowing students to better focus on attaining their specific goals – be they physical fitness, self-defense training, personal fulfillment or everyday stress relief. Florida Aikido Center is located at 4405 W. South Avenue, Tampa, FL 33614. For more information, please visit http://www.flaikidocenter.com.