Self-Defense Training for Youth, Teens and Adults

Do you want to learn how to defend yourself and protect your family? The Northbrook Park District offers a two-hour course for youth, teens and adults that could save their lives. The training includes gun and knife defenses and rape defense and prevention.

"Most self-defense classes teach pretty much the same things - stomp the foot, elbow the stomach, palm strike the chin or nose, knee the groin. Unfortunately, those techniques may be ineffective or won't work at all in a real life-and-death situation," said Mike Theriault of The Brave Way, LLC. "The techniques we teach will stop an attacker immediately, and it doesn't matter how big or strong you are to be able to learn and use what we teach."

During the past 14 years, dozens of area high schools have used the training, along with Girl Scout groups, churches and temples, private companies and other organizations. The training is not a martial arts program, but it offers techniques to help anyone stop a bigger, stronger attacker immediately. Instructors have advanced martial arts, security and military backgrounds. The course combines lecture, demonstration and instruction, teaching students:

• To anticipate and avoid dangerous situations

• Defenses against armed/unarmed attackers, single/multiple attackers

• Standing/ground techniques

• Rape prevention

The class is targeted at teens and adults, but children ages 8-11 can take the class with an adult. Males as well as females are welcome, and everyone who takes the class receives a Personal Safety Guide. Along with the ability to protect themselves, they can benefit from increased self-confidence, reduced fear and better awareness.

"This is one of the easiest and most effective self-defense classes you can take, regardless of your age, size, strength, speed, skill or physical ability," Theriault added. "Our program was certified by the State of Illinois to teach police officers, because it is so effective. No previous training is required. We encourage people to sign up for our class and get the best training possible to help make them safer."

The training is offered on Wednesday evenings, October 22 and November 12, from 6:30-8:30pm at the Leisure Center, 3323 Walters Avenue, Northbrook. Additional dates will be added in the Park District's Winter Guide, scheduled for publication in mid-November. The fee is $29 for Northbrook Park District residents and $39 for non-residents. Registration is accepted online at nbparks.org, by phone at 847•291•2995, and in person at the Leisure Center or Northbrook Sports Center.