Awareness Makes the Difference - Women's Self Defense Seminar at Oneida Family Y

The strength of a community is made possible by organizations such as the YMCA which serve as the backbone for community growth. They provide services for people of all ages and abilities. They care for the health, well-being, safety of others, and they offer programs that meet the needs of so many. The world is constantly changing. We live in a pretty safe community, but crime does happen. We see it in the news every day. What makes the difference is knowledge.

On Thursday, June 15, the Oneida Family Y hosted the American Martial Arts Institute for a Women's Self Defense Seminar taught by Grandmaster Crandall and Headmaster Stalloch. They were assisted by Master Nathan Morris and Instructors Amanda Crandall, Gisella Stalloch, Edna Rodriguez-Plate, and Alivia Franz. The event was organized by Rebecca Rahausier, Oneida Family Y Health and Wellness Director.

The seminar began with learning how to properly execute a center kick and side kick to the knee. The knee is one of the best targets for self-defense because it is accessible and vulnerable. This was followed by a 45 minute awareness presentation by Headmaster Stalloch focused on developing a personal plan to prevent physical confronations. This included a discussion of personal protection devices, mindset, boundary setting, safety tips for walking and mugging scenarios and more.

After arming their minds with knowledge, they finished the seminar with 30 more minutes of physical escape techniques such as from a throat grab, hair grab, and arm grabs.

The next seminar is this Saturday at our location in New Hartford.