In recent times, a group of women in College Station, Texas had the opportunity to enhance their self-defense skills in a unique and hands-on way- all without spending a dime. The whole initiative was made possible by Brazos Valley MMA and Fitness, an organization with a mission to encourage more women to focus on self-defense and personal safety.
Brazos Valley MMA and Fitness is tucked away in the bustling setting of Post Oak Mall. Over the past year, the group has committed to promoting free classes for women that focus on self-defense techniques. Their aim is to organize these classes every three to four months, ensuring each class brings something new to the table.
This initiative was born out of a growing need that the organization noticed – the rising issue of sexual assaults on various college campuses and within their local neighborhoods. These unfortunate events sparked a determination within the organization to provide women with the necessary skills they may need in hazardous circumstances.
The latest session in the series lasted an hour and aimed at showing the attendees how they could use their natural strengths and capabilities to keep themselves safe. The fundamental focal points included teaching women how to recover quickly when knocked down and how to prevent being held unwillingly by the wrist.
According to Dmitri Westbrook, an instructor at BVMMA, it’s crucial for everyone to have a few self-defense techniques handy. “Equipping oneself with these skills is always beneficial, and if you walked away having learned even a single technique from today’s class, then I must have done something right,” he said.
Among the attendees was Candace Munoz, who decided to join the class along with her daughter, Lilyann. Candace felt it was vital for her daughter to acquire these skills for her own personal safety. She shared her journey, saying she stumbled upon the free defense class by Brazos Valley MMA and Fitness online. After reaching out to the management, they quickly slotted her and her daughter in.
Candace and Lilyann both enjoyed their time at the class. For Candace, one of the most rewarding aspects was learning and practicing these techniques side by side with her daughter. The lessons not only helped to build confidence in Lilyann but also fuelled her spiritedness. Lilyann believes the primary takeaway from the session was the importance of always being ready to fight back, the value of gaining a sturdy stance, and the courage to use her strength when required.
They shared their plans of returning for future classes, expressing their eagerness to continue learning new techniques to better equip themselves and boost their self-confidence.
By offering these free self-defense classes, Brazos Valley MMA and Fitness continues to forge a pathway in the fight against the issue of sexual assaults. They encourage all women to take proactive measures to prepare themselves, reminding them that they are never alone in this fight. Their commitment towards ensuring women’s security and establishing an atmosphere of awareness and readiness is truly commendable.
