Self Defense with Alpha Martial Arts

Our last meeting was loud and unlady-like, and that was exactly the point. We heard from Annie and Allyson and their team from Alpha Martial Arts about how to defend ourselves in unsafe situations and how to follow through when we know something isn't right. They were badass and firm and gave us permission to be the same if our wellbeing is threatened. In case we forgot, they reminded us that we deserve to be safe at all times, are worthy of respect, and in the event someone decides differently, then their eyes/nose/throat/groin/knees will pay the price. #sorrynotsorry

 Click HERE for the recording of Annie and Allyson's instruction.

Enjoy!

Concepts and Techniques:

You are worthy of love and respect

Use your voice and body (hands up, step back) assertively to set your boundaries

Hit hard and viciously to EYES, THROAT, and KNEES or other vulnerable areas on the body.

USE WHAT’S FREE: the hard part of your Palm, Knees, Eye Gouge, Elbows or Kicks to get away

On the ground keep your feet in between you and the attacker and kick like crazy

BE LOUD and USE WHAT’S FREE - Keep fighting until it works

Tell somebody you trust about what happened 

And remember, it is never the survivor’s fault if an attack occurs. We have the right to our own voice, our own boundaries, and to our own safety! 

A few notes from the Q&A...
How do we teach our kids to be safe without scaring them?

• "Stop or I'll tell": whether it's a schoolyard bully or an adult with bad intentions, these words have profound affect when said to those who make our kids feel unsafe. Teach them this phrase to use if they feel threatened.
• As you go through practice scenarios, ask them what they think so you learn how much they know. "Who can you talk to if _________ happens?" "What about the people who work there? How would you know who that is?"

What if we're observing something happening to someone else? What do we do?

• Direct: Intervene yourself.
• Distract: Dance around, cause a scene, get loud. Distract the perpetrator.
• Delegate: Grab the hand of your buddy and get those around you to act. Call 911.

Further Discussion

1. What was your favorite drill? Why?
2. Did you learn anything about yourself that you didn't know before? If so, how has that impacted your perspective?
3. As women, what social pressures/gender constructs have you struggled against the most? How do you think that has affected your inner voice/intuition?
4. How does self defense demonstrate God's love for yourself and others as fellow image bearers of Christ, clothes in strength and dignity?
5. As Christians, women especially have been taught to act in a very specific and limited way. How has your perspective been impacted today, regarding your identity as a child of God?
6. If you could teach one thing to your friends or family, what would it be?
7. Homework: go ahead and teach them!

Alpha Martial Arts

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Elizabeth + Lynn:: A CanCan Health Education Party

At our last meeting, we met two amazing women: Elizabeth and Lynn. Together, they put faces and facts to what we all know to be a real threat to our health: cancer. These ladies from the Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer threw us a CanCan Education Party to give us the lowdown on knowing our bodies and signs of trouble. In this season of caring for small children and putting ourselves last, they stressed the importance of keeping tabs on ourselves and prioritizing our wellness along with our family's. Their wisdom and techniques could save a life and we hope you took away some helpful tools for assessing yourself in the years to come.

 Click HERE for the recording of Elizabeth and Lynn's talk.

Enjoy!

How do we recognize if anything is out of sorts in our bodies? How do we get a baseline to work from so that we know if something stands out?

Know Yourself

• Know your body, know your body, know your body!
• No one knows your body better than you. Get quiet with yourself sometimes to know if something has changed. Take the time to know the "ins and outs" so you're aware if something is not right.

Find a Healthcare Provider

• You need someone who can advocate with you.

Know Your Family History

• Seek out Mom and Dad, both sides of your family if possible, to write down the family tree of health history. It's important to know where you come from and where you might be at risk. We need to know what genes we're carrying around to be aware.

Breast Exams

• Check in all positions, monthly.
• Get to know your breast tissue. Everyone is different. Understand what is "normal" for you so you're tuned in if something stands out.
• Girl Scout Sign/3-Fingers Method:  Use your first three fingers to do the exam. Your ring finger is the most sensitive to pick up changes.
• 3 Levels of Feeling: light feeling, a little deeper, and a little deeper still. *don't hurt yourself!
• Pattern: start in back (don't forget--breast tissue is back there!) and work your way to the front. Then, up and down. It's like painting a wall. Don't miss any area with 3 levels of pressure.

• Don't ignore your nipples!
• Look for abnormal discharge

• If you notice any skin color changes that are different for you, get it checked. Don't wait.

Ovarian Cancer
The most lethal of all the gynecological cancers, symptoms can be challenging to pick up because they mimic so many other maladies. This is where it is important to be quiet and still with your body. Pay attention so you know if anything is out of order.

Potential symptoms:

• Bloating that doesn't go away
• Marked pain (sharp, dull) in front or back below the belt
• Less appetite/full quickly 
• Pressure, need to urinate frequently

Key:

• Persistent: from 10 days to 2 weeks
• Progressive

You can have other signs and symptoms, too, that aren't normal. Ex. extreme fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, etc.

If you need to get checked out and are having a hard time taking that step, the CanCan ladies will go with you! They are available to you at no cost and will be your advocate. Reach out!

Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer

www.rivkin.org

Email: info@rivkin.org

Phone: (206) 215-6200