w w _W w wwv w w w 6B - The Michigan Daily - Weekend Ngazioe - Thursday, December 4, 2003 The Michigan Daily - Weekend Magazine - 2 - - -' C - - - - , - .- - V -- x C - - - t - - .7!' - 2., - C; C. ' -- ' - ' - .- C - ou just leave an organic chemistry lab, check your voicemail and start walking back home when suddenly, someone grabs you from behind. What do you do? Reactions caused by shock are some of the most dangerous - you might freeze, go with the assailant or shut up as instructed. Local self-defense programs teach students life skills and awareness By Sravya Chirumamilla Daily Arts Writer Most people are not in danger in Ann Arbor, since the number of aggravated assaults in 2002 was half the national average. Living in a relatively safe city, however, should not deter people from knowing basic self-protection methods. The threat of assault exists not only for innocent passersbys who happen to getin the middle of a drunk- en fight, but also for people in harmful relationships. The myth of the unknown rapist is misleading since most rapes and sexual assaults are committed by a per- son who knows the victum. ' People unable to dedicate hours to practice martial arts can enroll in strength training courses that are currently offered through local martial arts schools. These classes pro- vide the tools for learning self-defense, so that on the chance that someone is attacked, he or she can protect himself or herself. Self-defense is not the oft-portrayed street fighting made popular in films such as "Mortal Kombat" and "Rush Hour." Instead, it is the use of self-control techniques and awareness to avoid injury to the self and to others. "The life "We try to dissolve the vocal level. If it can n then do we move onto skills we learn here we can apply daily," LSA senior Yessa Villarreal said. Villarreal is a strength- training instructor at the Ann Arbor Quest Center on Packard Road. The Quest Center teaches the martial art to- shin do, founded by former actor and profes- sor,Stephen Hayes. The energy spent on physi- cal force and attacks is less than 10 percent of the training, as the remaining time is spent on fine-tuning awareness and defense. "Self-defense is basically what this art is about," Villarreal explains. "We train for attacks, not threats. We try to dissolve the attack from a purely vocal level. If it cannot be dissolved, only then do we move onto a physical level." The Quest Center co-owner Donna Copeland explains, "We think that being proactive is very important." In order to do so, she offers some basic steps to ensure self- protection. "You should not be digging through your bag for keys, having them ready is one way to be prepared." Keith Copeland, the Quest Center's other owner, notes the importance of confidence and awareness. "If you present yourself as not being a victim, there is an energy and presence, and the predator moves away." Ann Arbor resident Rex Lau brings his five-year-old son, Jacob, to beginner judo classes at the YMCA on the corner of East William Street and South Fifth Avenue. "Judo is the more 'gentle way,' Lau said about choosing this martial art. "It is not about fighting - it is a technique for a small per- son or a woman to defend themselves. They teach how to fall and protect yourself." Neil Simmon, the YMCA's martial ways coordinator, runs this class which consists most- ly of five-year-olds. He repeats to his class that the defense mechanisms belong only in the dojo, the area of practice. "It is important not to panic. Give the per- son what they want," Simmon tells his atten- tive class. "Tell them, 'I don't want to fight.' Walk away, and if he looks shady, walk across the street." Tony Springfield taught judo at the YMCA for 20 years and now hosts seminars for student groups through the CCRB, Couzens, Alice Lloyd and Mary Markley residence halls. "Try to find a safe area, try to call attention and exit the area," Springfield says. His classes are catered to students since he teach- es them to prepare for wrist grabs, chokes and negotiating solutions. Springfield suggests that, "If you are approached in an elevator, push all the but- tons on the elevator except the basement or Emergency buttons." You can then escape on the next level. The Quest Center offers classes for student groups that vary from a four-hour session to two three-hour sessions. They focus on adrenaline stress-training, which helps con- trol the fight attack from a purely or flight be dissolved, only response in dangerous sit- a physical level." uations. - Yessa Villarreal When in uncomfortable LSA senior or high-stress surroundings, auditory, visual and fine motor skills all become impaired. When people are exposed to this stress in a course, they are able to understand how their body responds to cer- tain situations and how they can best prepare by utilizing their own assets. Donna Copeland notes that one-time semi- nars are better than no experience, but lack the benefits of a repetitive course. "One time is good, but with repetition, you have given your- self long-term tools to use." The Quest Center provides a couple of private lessons before the scheduled group classes, for which participants wear a gi, a traditional mar- tial arts uniform. An adult coach, such as Ryan Sullivan, meets with first timers for initial pri- vate lessons. He repeated the importance of social skills that are integral of the Quest Center's program. "We build on the character of the person," Sullivan said. "An introduction when we shake hands and make eye contact or giving high fives, which we do all the time - that is so important. Have you stood in a bank line? Everyone is looking around and not talk- ing. We want to move away from the closed-off society we are in." This sense of community was what brought Christopher Scholl, another adults' coach at the Quest Center, to the art. "I really like the com- munity and the people I met." Scholl has been practicing martial arts for about four years, but chose to-shin do after watching his sister advance in the program. Sullivan explains that each level is gradual and very repetitive in that it utilizes basic move- ments for protection. He notes that verbal con- trol, for instance, can be a huge part of self- defense. "If girls knew how to yell, they could protect themselves so much better," Sullivan comments. Though the concept seems simple, it is in fact necessary to practice yelling. My punches and kicks were stronger and more forceful once I had been able to yell from my lower stomach and not just with my voice. Some of the techniques, while self-evident, need to be followed for protection. Primarily, if the surroundings are suspicious, remove your- self safely from that place. This is especially difficult, yet crucial if the assailant is someone you know. Next, establish clear verbal bound- aries by using your voice. In high-stress situa- tions, people's voices clamp up, and they are unable to scream. It is necessary to be firm, but not offensive, as this will draw the attention of people around you and will surprise the attack- er. Lastly, if the attacker does not stop, you should protect yourself fiercely. "If you know the person is a predator, do everything you can to win," Donna Copeland stresses. "You can't give up. You have to keep looking for openings." There are certain vulnerable areas that attackers usually leave unprotected while in a fight. The shin, the part of the leg below the knee, is an especially important target that can help push someone away. In addition, the arch of the foot is tender and can be injured simply by stomping down on it with force. Though proper instruction is necessary to avoid injury to your body, instructors advise that in dangerous situations, one should do all that is necessary to escape. Powerful kicks that can be directed between men's legs will send the attacker back, providing enough time to run and scream for help. If the victim's hands are free, the victim may pop the assailant's ears by clap- ping the hands over the ears. Using the palm of the hand, victims should push up from under the attacker's nose, which can either break the bone or at least severely impair the assailant. While running from the attacker, the element of surprise can be reduced if the victim backs away from the attacker. When out of reach, it is safe to turn and run, always keeping in mind to make as much noise as possible. First timers should not fear that their novice skills will displace them. The courses are per- sonal since instructors cater the course to indi- vidual needs. It is imperative that students become aware of their surroundings and devel- op and maintain healthy defensive skills. -m PHOTOS BY DAVID TUMAN/Daily You are never too young to learn how to kick some.