Student designs class to teach self-defense

Lakeside High School student Brianna Lowrie's fascination with the criminal mind led to an idea for a Saturday class designed to help women avoid becoming victims of violence.

//

The 18-year-old decided as part of her senior project to team with Eric Hensley and his daughter Fallon to provide a free Women's Self-Defense Class Saturday at the Martial Arts America on Evans to Locks Road in Evans. The class begins at 3:30 p.m.

The research portion of Lowrie's project is centered on criminal profiling and behavioral psychology. After having her eyes opened by the realities of crime against women, she said she decided to create the self-defense class.

"One of the most surprising (facts) is most (women) become victims by someone they know," said Lowrie, who is interested in pursuing psychology or law as a career.

As part of her project, Lowrie started taking self-defense classes after being introduced to Martial Arts America owner Eric Hensley. Hensley said the goal of the class goes beyond teaching basic self-defense techniques.

"We will go over the mind set you have to have to defend yourself," he said. After learning basic self-defense, participants will test their skills against an "attacker" dressed in a protective suit.

Lowrie has prepared a survey for the women to take to help them realize the changes they need to make in their daily routines to protect themselves.

The class is intended for adult women and youth 12 and older. All minors are required to have parental approval and a signed liability release form.

The instructors recommend participants wear T-shirts and sweatpants; shorts are prohibited. For more information, call Martial Arts America at (706) 855-0516.