February 19, 2003

Self-aware, self-defense

Seminar teaches self-defense techniques and self-confidence

By Carol South
Herald contributing writer

No, NO, NO!
These were the cries of warriors in training Saturday afternoon at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship as nine women completed a Women's Self-Defense workshop. In addition to lectures, discussions and role-playing, the women practiced shouting protests while mock kicking and striking vulnerable points of a phantom assailant.

Herald photo by Garret Leiva
Barbara Budros of Traverse City prepares to defend herself as Anne Mchelle Meyer simulates a choke hold Saturday at a self-defense seminar sponsored by Third Level Criss Intervention Center.

The Women's Self-Defense workshop was sponsored by the Third Level Crisis Center as part of V-Day Traverse City. Third Level is also developing additional non-violence events for the community, also inspired by V-Day Traverse City.
For Mary Povolo of Lake Leelanau, the self-defense training increased her sense of personal empowerment and competence. While she feels that northern Michigan is generally a safe area, she is more aware now of what could happen and how to deal with it, especially if she travels.
"I feel more confident," Povolo said. "These are things that I can implement, like looking people in the eye. It lets them know that you see them and are aware of them, because perpetrators prey on people who they perceive as weak."
Deb Abbate-Fedon, a certified self-defense instructor, led the five-hour seminar. A resident of the Detroit area, she told attendees that the best way to avoid an attack is to avoid the situation. This requires that people stay alert to their surroundings, plan escape routes and notice resources for help.
The women also practiced a variety of verbal techniques to de-escalate a situation, such as lowering your voice, speaking and remaining calm, walking away, active listening and taking deep breaths to stay centered. Abbate-Fedon told participants they should learn to speak up and clarify their boundaries in a clear and non-confrontational manner.
Breaking into small groups for role playing, the women practiced dealing with pushy co-workers, abusive husbands, demanding strangers and a person trying to get into their car or home by pretending to need help.
Working through these controlling situations one by one helped Anne-Michelle Meyer of Traverse City learn the techniques for handling them.
"Just walking through a lot of the scenarios will help me feel more confidant and carry myself differently," said Meyer, an employee of the Third Level Crisis Center.
If all other approaches fail and a physical attack happens, Abbate-Fedon told the women to scream, yell, argue and use any resource available to summon help or get away. Screaming out 'No!' or 'Fire!' or 'Call 911!' may attract attention of others who can provide assistance.
"Use your voice, say anything that comes into you head," Abbate-Fedon noted.
In addition to verbal techniques, the workshop participants also practiced ways to counter a variety of physical grabs, such as an assailant pinning wrists, arms or the whole body. Abbate-Fedon also discussed what to do if faced with a weapon, such as a gun or knife.
"Always say, 'What do you want?' and keep them talking anytime they have a weapon," she said. "Play along and wait for your opportunity to get away."
Participants repeatedly practiced methods to repel a physical attack to both program muscle memory and build confidence. Abbate-Fedon highlighted vital points to hit - eyes, ears, temple, throat, groin, knee and instep - that would cause the most pain and hopefully stun or disable the attacker.
The women also practiced groundfighting techniques that can be used if they are already pinned by an assailant. They drilled on catapult throws that use their body's leverage to counter hip or shoulder pins.
The bottom line in self-defense, Abbate-Fedon said, is never give up. In any situation, keep using all the strategies possible to foil an assault.
"I think of self defense as people learning things they already knew and just getting different options for responding," said Abbate-Fedon, who has been teaching martial arts for nine years. "This is about options and choosing what feels right to do, what is necessary in the moment."
"The attacker is always wrong, not you," she said.