Grey Wolf Defense will hold a women's self-defense seminar at 403 Meier Road in Winlock from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 15.
According to Sifu Michael Garner, of Grey Wolf Defense and Martial Arts, the goal is to provide women with a way to protect themselves.
"Even though we can't be there in person to protect everyone, we can teach them to see themselves as worth protecting and give them valuable skills, awareness and training to increase their chances of success in not being or no longer being a victim or statistic," Garner said.
Garner said he has always been involved in aspects of the protection of others, whether it was in the military, law enforcement, security or martial arts.
"I have been brought up with the understanding that women are the bearers of life and sacred," Garner said. "I have been raised that the warrior's purpose is to protect the children, the women and our elders. Statistically, it has been shown that women are targeted because they are seen as weaker, easier targets, and many times, they have been raised to not fight back. On top of that, there has been a growing percentage of assault and inappropriate physical interaction in the schools and among school-age young women."
The three-and-a-half-hour seminar will focus on environmental awareness and how to spot red flags and size up situations. Garner said they will also teach trends in assault and methods used by assailants, domestic partners and stalkers. The seminar will then focus on prevention.
"We show ways to increase the chances of avoiding physical contact and decrease the chance of being targeted," Garner said.
The seminar will go over physical techniques and skills to escape different situations if someone finds themselves in a physical attack or encounter.
"The seminar is a combination of written and verbal information, discussions involving the information and ideas, and physical practice and application of techniques that can be used," Garner said.
Participants are asked to wear comfortable clothes and bring water or other fluids to the seminar.
"We have held the seminar in the past with feedback being that it was very educational in the aspects of awareness especially in current technology and how it's used in stalking and targeting victims," Garner said. "Participants have further expressed that the physical techniques are useful and many times easier to remember than some courses that focus on effective but intricate techniques."
Garner said that in today's society, where law enforcement is spread thin, people can't wait for a first responder to reach them in time.
"Violent encounters happen in seconds, and you must be your first line of defense if you want to avoid being another statistic or victim of that violence," Garner said. "Self-defense skills, whether it be with or without weapons, should be learned, understood and practiced so that they can be used as a reaction in case you are faced with a violent encounter. In this way, you increase your chances of avoidance, escape, and survival and not being just another statistic of violence."
Garner will be running the seminar after 30 years of experience with violent encounters, while Sifu Karen Tomlinson and a couple of other women with real-life skills, encounters and personal experience will also train and empower attendees.
"This is a great first course for learning about the things to watch for, how to prevent them, and how to respond and escape if faced with a violent situation," Garner said. "It is also an important step in the healing and working through the trauma that is many times involved if there has been an incident or encounter of a violent nature."
The cost is $20 for those who register in advance,, with a deadline of March 14. The cost is $25 after that. The training is open to those ages 12 and up. For registration and more information, email grewywolfdefensesytem@gmail.com or call 360-269-2323.
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