National Karate Hosts Women's Self-Defense Class and Fundraiser on October 15

National Karate in Bartlett will be hosting a Women's Self-Defense class on October 15th from 3:00-5:30 pm which will also be a fundraiser to support Patty's Pals Foundation. The self-defense class is being held during breast cancer awareness month, and Patty's Pals is a Bartlett based foundation that raises money to aid in research for cancer prevention, services, and cures.

In addition to providing karate and kickboxing classes for children and adults, National Karate provides women's self-defense classes to local community groups, high schools, and college-aged women. Studies have found that women who have received self-defense training are less likely to be victims of assault. This class will be taught by our lead women's self-defense instructor, Juli Brown, who is a third degree black belt, martial arts instructor, and a certified women's self-defense instructor. Our women's self-defense classes use an empowerment approach to teach practical, easy to learn and remember skills, any woman can use to increase her confidence and the ability to defend herself.

The 2 and ½ hour class will cover the following topics:

- How to reduce your chances of being targeted for assault

- How to respond verbally if approached or threatened by someone

- How to take an attacker by surprise to create an opportunity to get away

- How to respond with physical means if an assault occurs

- How to escape from various grabs including being choked or grabbed from behind

There is a minimum $20 donation requested to register for the class. All proceeds will go to benefit Patty's Pals Foundation. Patty's Pals was founded by a Bartlett resident and mother of one of our karate students. Patty was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 and already had been involved in supporting the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer herself for years prior to her diagnosis. An outpouring of support from her family and community after her diagnosis was the beginning of what is now Patty's Pals Foundation. Patty fought the disease for years, and continued her dedication to raising money for the cause. Patty's Pals grew from a group of friends who came together to support one woman, into an organization that has already raised over $55,000. Patty passed away this past February, but we continue to support the work she began.

This class is appropriate for any teen, or adult woman. It's an excellent opportunity to support a great cause which supports women's health, while at the same time providing women in the community with potentially life-saving skills to prevent assault.

Women can contact National Karate at 630.289.7777 or Juli Brown at juli@nationalkarate.com for more information or to register for the class. More information about Patty's Pals can be found at www.pattyspals.net.