Main Street Gym host second annual Women’s Self-Defense Seminar

By TAYLOR THOMPSON

Tiger Media Network

On Saturday morning, the Main Street Gym in Hays kicked off its second annual Women’s Self-Defense Seminar. The event was hosted by Chelsy Proehl-Kofoid of Farmers Insurance, with instruction provided by seasoned martial artist Jr. Master Isaac North. This was the second class hosted as part of a three-day seminar, with the goal of teaching women hands-on techniques for self-protection as well as mental preparedness. This session specifically focused on how to escape from grabs in a dangerous situation.  

North sought to make a difference after knowing too many victims in his personal life. With 32 years of experience in martial arts, he decided to use his knowledge and passion to help women learn self defense. He aimed to make it accessible to everyone by making it free, refusing any sort of compensation. Proehl-Kofoid, who had the same goal of empowering women, teamed up with North to host these seminars. 

“I think whenever Isaac and I kind of started talking about this, this was perfect. So we’re here for the girls,” Proehl-Kofoid said. “We’re here to empower them and make sure that they have a lot of the tools that they can use to help get away in situations like that.”. 

North partnered with Deputy Brian Walker to demonstrate various defense techniques against grabs. They also taught women ways to be assertive and take control of a dangerous situation. 

Riley Petitjean, an 18-year-old student attending FHSU, felt that the class would be beneficial specifically because it emphasized real-life application.

“I like this one because it’s about grabs and stuff and I feel like that’s pretty prevalent, like I could see that happening,” Petitjean said.

These classes have already seen some real world successes, as a student who attended the seminars from last year has used these techniques to effectively fend off their attacker.

Along with preparing women with defense techniques, they also offered emotional support, and partnered up with Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Service. Because the class can be emotionally distressing, especially for victims of abuse and assault, it was important that these resources were available. They stressed the importance of never blaming yourself as the victim in these situations. 

“It is not your fault that you’re in that situation. Don’t ever blame yourself,” Proehl-Kofoid said.  “Get away and use what your instincts show you. Use what Isaac showed you in the classes to get away and protect yourself.” 

Ross Arreguin, a community advocate with Options, was present during the class for anyone who needed someone to talk to, offering one-on-one private conversations as well as a referral to a higher mental health resource if needed. 

“We’re trying to get our name out there so that women in these situations can come forward, and at the very least, if they don’t want to proceed with reporting anything, if they don’t want to go to the cops, if they just want someone to hear their story, that is perfectly acceptable,” Arreguin said. “If they don’t feel comfortable with these things but they just want someone to be in their corner, we’re there for you.” 

North also wanted students to understand the importance of consistent practice to effectively utilize these techniques. One thing they’re planning on hosting in the future is a weekly Wednesday seminar, designed to help people practice what they learned and defend immediately upon reaction.

“One of the things that is really helpful with it, is that it takes your natural, your reflexes, and it essentially weaponizes them. So that way you can take your own fight or flight and the things that are just automatic responses and use them to your advantage,” North said. 

Main Street Gym is hosting its third self-defense seminar from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Saturday. The seminar is available to women 16 and older. Registration and information can be found on their Facebook page.