I was *so* wrong...
Last Sunday I attended the Impact Women's Basics "graduation" in SF for ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tenacious_snail's class. Earlier, I'd been rather dubious, even wary that I'd somehow become a target myself in mundane situations. I was completely wrong! Those scenarios demonstrated are nothing like any consensual interactions, so far apart that I felt silly for my previous fears.
As well as sheepish regarding my earlier lackluster support of Les. She was strong, and competent, and dispatched her assailants with strength and determination. I was happy for her and proud to be there to watch. She rocked! :^)
Sunday, I felt nervous, going in... I knew it was highly likely to be traumatic and triggering for me, personally. I went anyway, to support my sweetie. As well as confronting a few inner demons of my own ... had flashbacks from past assaults, trembling. The "reversal" scenes were particularly triggering, and the shouting. At least none of the assailants carried a 2x4 club... (shudder). I was twitchy, and not breathing, and I'm grateful forinflectionpoint and klrmn for sitting on either side, holding my hand at times and reminding me to breathe. And yesterday, I crashed a bit afterwards.
But first and foremost, we were all there Sunday to cheer on these strong women, as they faced their fears and muggers on the mat. Yelling encouragement, and even coaching "there's an opening! Go for the eyes!", and cheering when they'd finish and flushed, would scan for status, stomp their foot and shout "NO!" Bravo to all of them, including my sweetie. And I'm going to add the organization to my CFC charity list for next year.
tenacious_snail's class. Earlier, I'd been rather dubious, even wary that I'd somehow become a target myself in mundane situations. I was completely wrong! Those scenarios demonstrated are nothing like any consensual interactions, so far apart that I felt silly for my previous fears. As well as sheepish regarding my earlier lackluster support of Les. She was strong, and competent, and dispatched her assailants with strength and determination. I was happy for her and proud to be there to watch. She rocked! :^)
Sunday, I felt nervous, going in... I knew it was highly likely to be traumatic and triggering for me, personally. I went anyway, to support my sweetie. As well as confronting a few inner demons of my own ... had flashbacks from past assaults, trembling. The "reversal" scenes were particularly triggering, and the shouting. At least none of the assailants carried a 2x4 club... (shudder). I was twitchy, and not breathing, and I'm grateful for
inflectionpoint and klrmn for sitting on either side, holding my hand at times and reminding me to breathe. And yesterday, I crashed a bit afterwards.But first and foremost, we were all there Sunday to cheer on these strong women, as they faced their fears and muggers on the mat. Yelling encouragement, and even coaching "there's an opening! Go for the eyes!", and cheering when they'd finish and flushed, would scan for status, stomp their foot and shout "NO!" Bravo to all of them, including my sweetie. And I'm going to add the organization to my CFC charity list for next year.
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*Hugs* So would I.
Bravo to you for going to support and cheer Les despite how hard it was for you to be there!
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information on a similar organization
In the meantime, I'm posting here some info about a similar organization, called "KTF--Kidpower, Teenpower, Fullpower" (they're looking for a new name). I don't know whether they do the Michelin-man suits, so I don't know if it would be as useful to you as IMPACT. But they do self-defense classes for Men, Women and KIDS, and I know you were somewhat concerned about your sons as well. I'm sending only the contact info and the info about the upcoming classes for men (Feb. 26), and a couple for kids or families. They're nowhere near as comprehensive, but might be a good starting place for your kids, and for you if Impact won't be doing a men's class for a while.
KTF International E-Newsletter
A service of KIDPOWER TEENPOWER FULLPOWER (KTF) International
January 2006 California Edition
Personal Safety, Confidence, Advocacy and Self Protection Skills
for All Ages and Abilities
~ ~ ~ ~
FULLPOWER INTRODUCTORY FULL FORCE
WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN AND MEN
=BERKELEY: Thursday, January 12, 6:30 - 10:00, Women and Men
=PALO ALTO: Sunday, February 26, 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Women and Men
Adults learn to protect themselves from confrontations and simulated
assaults, both verbal and physical, in a safe, empowering environment.
~ ~ ~ ~
KIDPOWER PARENT-CHILD WORKSHOP FOR
CHILDREN AGES 4 to 8
=BERKELEY: Saturday, March 11, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
=PALO ALTO: Saturday, February 4, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
=SANTA CRUZ: Saturday, February 25th, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, co-sponsored by the Santa Cruz Police Department. Free to Santa Cruz County residents thanks to funding from local businesses.
Children have fun learning and practicing everyday safety skills with their parents or guardians. Safety skills are taught about strangers, bullies, and people children know.
~ ~ ~ ~
WEEKEND FAMILY WORKSHOP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
AGES 6-14
=PALO ALTO: Friday, March 10, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm, Parents Only; Sat and Sun, March 11 and 12, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm; Sunday, March 12, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, Demo for Adults
=BERKELEY: Friday, March 10, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Parents Only; Sat and Sun, March 11 and 12, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm; Sunday, January 29, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, Demo for Adults
Comprehensive program including everyday safety skills and full force self-defense for young people ages 6-14. Educational session for parents and other concerned adults helps establish a common language to continue the skills at home.
~ ~ ~ ~
8. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Main Office: 831-426-4407 (USA 1-800-467-6997)
safety@kidpower.org, http://www.kidpower.org/
International Centers:
http://www.kidpower.org/contact-us.html/
COPYRIGHT NOTICE. All articles in this newsletter are copyrighted to KIDPOWER TEENPOWER FULLPOWER International and to the author. Unless otherwise indicated, the author is Executive Director/Co-Founder Irene van der Zande.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
KIDPOWER CONTACT INFORMATION:
Website: http://www.kidpower.org
KIDPOWER TEENPOWER FULLPOWER Main Office:
1-800-467-6997 in USA
(0) 1 -831-426-4407
FAX (0) 1-831-426-4480
P.O. Box 1212
Santa Cruz, CA 95061
USA
safety@kidpower.org
East Bay KIDPOWER: eastbay@kidpower.org
P.O. Box 2163
Castro Valley, CA 94546
510-881-2262
South Bay KIDPOWER: southbay@kidpower.org
P.O. Box 3683
Santa Clara, CA 95055
408-445-2742
PO Box 1212
Santa Cruz, California 95061
United States
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I understand this fear, I have it as well. It is one of the reasons I stopped taking martial arts when I was a kid - I didn't want to hurt anyone, and they didn't have the benifit of the padding.
It was pointed out to me though, that these people 1) have the padding, 2) have the training, and 3) are dealing on a regular basis with people who have built up rage, anger, panic, etc. They know what to expect. If you decide, as per Dawnd's suggestion, that you want to try and get a mens group together to increase the likelyhood of a class, I'm happy to help put out the word.
*hugs* I'm glad you were able to be supportive, and recieve the support in return.
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*hug* thanks.
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