Self-defense class geared for women

Published 12:00 am Thursday, July 5, 2007

By Sarah Light, staff writer

Women interested in learning more about protecting themselves against an attacker will now have the opportunity to do so locally during a self-defense class offered Sunday and Monday.

Co-sponsored by the Albert Lea Family Y, Albert Lea Medical Center-Mayo Health System, Albert Lea Police Department, city of Albert Lea Parks and Recreation, and Freeborn County Crime Victim&8217;s Crisis Center, the self-defense class is a beginner-level seminar open to women of all ages and abilities.

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Instruction consists of a lecture &8212; including learning statistical information, awareness and the survival mindset &8212; along with demonstrations and class participation.

Women in attendance will be taught protection skills for countering common attacks such as ones from the front with verbal exchanges, surprise attacks from the rear, attacks while sleeping, attacks while entering a vehicle and rape defense once on the ground. Attendees will also learn how and where to strike their attacker and how to use defensive aids.

&8220;It&8217;s important that we look at ways in which to empower women to take control in becoming more educated,&8221; said Rose Olmsted, program director of the Freeborn County Crime Victim&8217;s Crisis Center. &8220;Empowerment is about people having choices &8212; having control.&8221;

Olmsted said she is pleased this opportunity is available for women in the community, and she hopes many take advantage of the chance to receive this instruction. Self defense may not be the entire solution for attacks, but it is one helpful piece of knowledge.

&8220;It really can affect anyone,&8221; she said. &8220;I think we have a long way to go for people to understand that this happens in our community.&8221;

Carla Malpass, wife of Mike Malpass, the Phoenix Police SWAT officer who will be teaching the class, said the main focus of the instruction is awareness and prevention.

Mike Malpass is a trained instructor with more than 23 years of fighting experience in boxing, kick-boxing and mixed martial arts fighting.

He has been a police officer in Phoenix since 1996 and in Dublin, Ohio, since 1992. He is also a five-time national kick-boxing champion.

Carla emphasized that the moves the women will learn during the class are not tricky. It is a basic class for women of any age, she said.

Participants should wear athletic clothes and soft-soled shoes and bring a paper and pen. Water will be provided by sponsors.

Early registration is $20 per person, and walk-in registration is $25 per person. Two classes are offered, one on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. and the other on Monday from 6 to 9 p.m.

For more information, contact the YMCA at 373-8228. People can also visit Malpass&8217;s Web site at www.combativeresolutions.com.

Proceeds from the class will go toward assisting local victims of crime.