By Julie Dumas

 

I recently attended a free workshop at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Zion called “Women Empowered.” It was an introduction to a self-defense course for women. I have experienced some scary situations in which I have been fortunate, but I decided I don’t want to rely on good fortune; I want to be prepared.

In a short two-hour workshop, I learned that self defense does not depend on strength or flexibility but is based on awareness, physics, the laws of the human body and its motion, and confidence through repetition. I came away from the workshop with trust in my abilities and the assurance that I can protect myself.

Grace Zion is owned and operated by Jake and LeAnn Johnston. Jake has 20 years of experience and holds a black belt in the art of Gracie-Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, established by the Gracie family. He is the only certified Gracie instructor in Southern Utah.

During the workshop, LeAnn Johnston shared that statistics show one in four women will experience an assault in their lifetime and that most attacks take place in parking lots and similar areas as well as a woman’s own home.

The women in our class varied in size, age and experience. We learned about things like the importance of understanding leverage and conserving energy in the use of the techniques. Jake demonstrated the fact that size is not the determining factor in defending an attack. His young son, Tyler, was able to release his dad’s grip and immobilize him with skill and ease. Over and over, it was confirmed that leverage, technique and timing are effective tools that can disrupt an attack without extreme exertion.

Gracie Zion offers a complete nine-week course that can be started at any point in the course. Each class is an individual set of techniques, independent of the previous unit.

Gracie Zion also teaches a Bullyproof class for kids ranging in age from 5-13 that is a huge success. Approximately 50 kids are currently enrolled in the program, which builds on the principles of awareness, confidence and responsibility.

Workshops in both of these classes will be offered free again in the future, and the classes are ongoing.

Gracie Zion is located at 1495 S. Black Ridge Dr. Ste. A260 in St. George. For more information, call (435) 668-9246, e-mail @GracieZion.com, or visit their Web site at GracieZion.com.

Rating (Votes: 0)

Comments (0)

Tell friend

Print

---