Women's Self-Defense Class

Starts Sunday, March 25, 2007, 3-6pm
Runs on 5 more Sundays: April 1, (skip Easter), 15, 22, 29 and May 6
Materials Fee: $40

The National Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Program is an empowerment-based course, designed to counter the stereotype that women are defenseless against an attacker. This course challenges women to view themselves in "non-traditional" ways, and discover their physical strengths and abilities to use their bodies as weapons.

This class lasts for 18 hours. The first three hours include a discussion about increasing awareness, risk reduction and assertiveness training. The rest of the class covers learning different physical defense moves, such as getting out of certain holds, learning how to strike, kick, and defend yourself from the ground. Much of the class is spent practicing these moves full strength on kick bags and pads, with the goal of making self-defense instinctual. There is also the option of realistic simulation, which entails a fully padded instructor reenacting attacks so students can apply the moves learned to a live person.

For more information contact Lisa Speidel at 961-7738 or las7p@virginia.edu.

Sponsored by the UVa Women's Center

For a current listing of events sponsored by and affiliated with SDVS, please also see the Women's Center Calendar.