| Under a year ago, self-defense was a concept in my | | | | because I chose to learn self-defense. |
| mind and not at all a reality in my world. In fact, training | | | | When I first started training I could hardly hit the pads |
| wasn't even on my radar. Then, on a random day last | | | | and even warm-up exercises had me fatigued. It was |
| April, it dawned on me that if I were ever in a real | | | | less than easy, but knowing that the result was worthy |
| situation of threat, I wouldn't know what to do in order | | | | of the effort, I continued to show up for classes. Now, |
| to save myself. Sure, I would fight someone off with | | | | in working with new women who've joined us, I |
| the best of my ability because it's in me to survive. But, | | | | recognize where I've come from. In looking over |
| I had no real skills to do so and in response to realizing | | | | progress I've made so far, I see even more clearly |
| that I began to look for a means to learn. | | | | how important self-defense training is. I used to hit like |
| From the very first visit to the Training Center (NJ) I | | | | a girl. Now, I defend myself. |
| knew I'd found what it was I was looking for. And, in | | | | I've found satisfaction with the results of my efforts |
| the months it's been since I committed to training, I've | | | | and with each training session I am getting stronger |
| gained a solid set of defense skills and the confidence | | | | and better equipped to protect myself. While training is |
| of knowing how to put them into action. In addition, the | | | | not effortless, it is essential. I believe strongly that |
| benefits of training have extended far beyond the | | | | learning to protect oneself should be a part of every |
| actual classes I attend. The physical rewards of a | | | | woman's life, for the practical skill-set and also for the |
| more healthy body, toned muscles, mental clarity and | | | | benefits that come as part of the package. I am |
| even a Zen-like state as a result of mind and body | | | | grateful to have chosen to learn self-defense, which is |
| working together, have all become a part of my reality | | | | now a real and satisfying part of my world. |