Tayana Eychner slips from Megan McComas after learning how to escape wrist grabs during a class on self defense at Zanshin Family Martial Arts Saturday.
A group of Junior Girl Scouts had the opportunity to learn a few valuable self-defense techniques Saturday as part of a set of presentations aimed at empowering girls.
Members of Junior Scout Troop 1256 attended a special class at Zanshin Family Martial Arts in Green River and learned physical strength isn't the only attribute that can make a person strong. Jill Schmidt, Scout leader for Troop 1256, said she got the idea the have the troop attend a class after seeing what her daughter, Bianca, was learning at Zanshin Family Martial Arts.
"What they're learning is they can do anything a guy can do," Schmidt said.
Schmidt also said the self defense will help keep them safe, but wanted to introduce her Junior Girl Scouts to Megan McComas, the martial arts school's highest-ranking student. While the school is headed up by Trevor Hays, McComas is a co-instructor and helps teach classes when Hays is unavailable. McComas has been a student for the past 11 years, having first been introduced to martial arts from a previous instructor.
For Saturday's lessons, McComas said the girls were fast learners and agreed with the importance of teaching them self defense.
"I whole heartedly believe it's essential for them to defend themselves," she said.
Hays, with the help of McComas and his son, Trytan, taught basic techniques that will help the girls break away from an abductor and allow them to seek help. They also learned a technique that would allow even the smallest girl to surprise and cause pain to an attacker, thus allowing the girl to run and seek help. Hays demonstrated that strength can be overcome with knowledge and technique, using his son and McComas as examples to show the Scouts some of the possibilities that open up with further self-defense training.
The lessons taught Saturday did have a lasting impact on one parent. Jamie Green, the co-leader for Troop 1256, said she agrees with the concept of self defense and is interested in further learning.
"I want to get me and my daughter both in it," Green said.
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