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SELF-DEFENSE COURSES TEACH WOMEN VITAL SAFETY SKILLS
By Keith Hagarty
 | | --Photos By Keith Hagarty Training his female students to defend themselves in case of an attack, with a focus on using balance and leverage to counterattack and escape a potential threat, black belt Walter Miller continued his self defense for women and girls class at the Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library last week. |
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Although she was only 3 years old, Jesse Seidel still remembers the overwhelming fear that shot through her body as a strange man aggressively approached her and her mother.
"I remember when I was really young we had some weirdo running around the neighborhood, and me and my mother happened to be coming home at the time, and he was in our driveway and came after us," said Seidel. "He came close to snatching me away, but thankfully our neighbors saw what was going on, and called the police … I was old enough to remember falling on the steps, and him being right behind me."
Twenty-two years later, the 25 year old Toms River resident is using that memory as motivation to learn how to properly defend herself a self-defense class specifically designed for women and girls.
Held at the headquarters of the Ocean County Library in Toms River, the free self defense class is open to women and girls, 12 years old and up, teaching techniques for personal self defense based on leverage and balance, focusing on counterattacking vulnerable targets on an attacker rather than relying on brute strength.
Seidel had always wanted to learn martial arts, but the cost of lessons often seemed prohibitive. Now Seidel and her classmates have been introduced to the world of martial arts free of charge at the library.
"Once I saw that, I said, 'you know what, I'm going to sign right up,'" she said.
For fellow Toms River resident Jane Stokes, 56, knowing what to do should danger strike is something every woman should know.
"I thought it would be something really valuable to learn- to know how to react in a situation that you don't ever want to get into," she said.
Holding a third degree black belt in jujitsu, with a first-degree black belt in judo and selfdefense, class instructor Walter Miller has been studying the various martial arts disciplines for several decades, developing his "Self Defense Safety" program.
It is imperative that all women, young and old, learn how to defend themselves from a potential assault, said Miller.
"Women and girls are prime targets of crime," said Miller. "Everyday you see all these crimes in various newspapers, and you read about the abductions, rapes, attacks and violence against women, so this is a basic course where I help teach these folks how to keep safe and avoid any possible crime or threat against them."
The class contains a series of training exercises focusing on the proper techniques for the most effective delivery of kicks, strikes and alternative methods used to incapacitate an attacker, even those brandishing a weapon.
"I teach them to use every part of the body to
defend themselves if they have to," said Miller. "I also teach them to escape and counterattack
every possible street attack."
Extending his arms straight ahead, Miller said women should never allow anyone to get within that space.
"I teach them about 'the danger zone,'" he said. "That's their private space, and no stranger should ever get into that private space."
Miller cautions women of detecting certain tricks a potential attacker may employ when approaching them on the street, parking lot or wherever. According to Miller, the best scenario is, if possible, to find a way to quickly get away from the potential danger before self-defensive techniques become necessary.
"These strangers can use all type of subterfuge, like asking for directions, or the time, or mumbling in order to get the women to lean closer towards them so they can get into their private space," he said. "I also teach them how to make sure they can walk away, or if he keeps following them, to run away and scream."
Suburbs Have Crime, Too
Having taught self-defense classes in both suburban and urban areas, Miller has seen a clear difference in women's perceptions of their general outlook on crime in their own backyard.
"A lot of people in suburban areas, like we have here, grow up to believe people are very nice, and are not always aware of crimes in the area, while a lot of folks in the city environments are brought up a little more street-wise and a little more alert of their surroundings," said Miller. "So I make sure to reinforce the safety rules all the time in class."
Knowing where you are and what potential threats may be around you at all times is key for any woman walking in public on her own.
"Look behind you when you're walking down the street, or if they're in the mall, try to go with a partner, or if you don't have one and it's late at night, women need to know that they can ask a security guard to walk them to their car," he emphasized. "A lot of folks are not aware of these safety precautions, and tend to assume nothing bad will happen."
One of the aspects of the class which has surprised Stokes the most was realizing the ability to defend yourself has nothing to do with physical prowess.
"It's really about knowledge and balance, and not having to be super strong, it's really not about that," said Stokes. "It's more about being prepared."
Using the class as a springboard, Seidel is excited to continue her lessons in the martial arts.
"I want to go and take judo or jujitsu, because that again is very much all about balance and leverage, using the attackers momentum against them to take them down," she said.
It doesn't matter how big or small you may be, Miller says any woman can learn how to properly protect themselves.
"I have students from 9 years old to 96 years old that can handle my techniques," Miller said, noting that he also teaches martial arts and self-defense classes for seniors, children and men.
"I'm gifted to have been able to learn these techniques myself at an advanced level, and I feel it's a blessing to be able to spread this knowledge to people who may be able to use it to save their lives," he said. "These girls come in like lambs, and I teach them to come out like lions."
For more information about Miller's self defense classes, call 609-660-8783, or to register for the next self defense class at the library, to be held on June 28, call 732-349-6200.
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