Empower Yourself

self-defense martial arts

Written By Brandy Centolanza —

Bushin Martial Arts Academy Hosts free self-defense seminar for women

One in four women will be a victim of sexual assault in their lifetime , and John Nguyen wants to help women protect themselves against that kind of violence.

That’s why Nguyen and his brother, Mike, co-owners of Bushin Martial Arts Academy on Merrimac Trail, recently hosted a free self-defense seminar for women.

More than 50 ladies turned out to get a sample of the techniques Nguyen and his fellow instructors teach in the academy’s Women Empowered program. Women Empowered uses Gracie Jiu-jitsu techniques that are effective for all women, regardless of age, physical ability or experience.

In addition to teaching a handful of leverage-based, self-defense tactics, Nguyen lectured on how  women should change their habits—like avoiding mall parking lots, gas stations convenience stores and ATMs while alone at night—to avoid being targeted by sexual predators. “There are just so many crazy things going on these days, women getting attacked in their own homes, college kids getting assaulted, teenagers getting kidnapped,” Nguyen says. “The more awareness we can spread, the safer everybody is. In my experience, I have also found that an overwhelming number of people think that an assault would never happen to them or they are completely unaware of the reality of the dangers out there. I feel that if we can save even one life, or change one for the better, then we are doing our part.”

Laura Emery has been with the Women Empowered program for a year.

“When I saw how easy some of the escape techniques are and how little strength is required to escape an attacker, I was sold,” says Emery, who brought a friend to the seminar. “I was really impressed with the number of women who came out for the first time to learn some valuable skills. I always gain something from every class, seminar and encounter with women learning these skills for the first time. I always love to see the light go on in the eyes of these women when they realize that they can learn something to save their lives and they can be empowered to protect themselves.”

Amy Dovi, a first time attendee, plans to enroll in the program to learn all of the self-defense techniques.

“This course gave me confidence that it is possible to be strong and defend myself,” Dovi shares. “It is important for women to be proactive about safety and to pass it on to daughters, nieces and friends.”

That’s exactly what Nguyen wants. “Coming to train at a martial arts school for the first time can be a very intimidating experience, especially for women, so I want to make it as accessible, easy and fun as possible for women to try it out,” Nguyen says. “It doesn’t matter if you aren’t training here, just train somewhere. Go to seminars, read books, gain knowledge, be aware.”

For more information on the Women Empowered program, visit www.bushinacademy.com.