Self-defense met community support at Gold Star ATA Martial Arts’ latest class.
The Women’s & Teen Self-Defense class was Aug. 3 at the Gold Star ATA Martial Arts location in Lincoln. Gold Star has locations in Crete, Seward and Lincoln.
All proceeds from the class went to Brave Animal Rescue in Lincoln. Gold Star ATA co-owner and instructor Miss Master Alyssa Cochnar said she knows one of the nonprofit’s founders, a Doane University graduate.
She loves that the organization stands for protecting vulnerable and abandoned animals. It also has a fund for people who cannot afford vet bills.
“We just like to be able to do something to give back to the community,” said Gold Star ATA co-owner and program director Suzy Cochnar. “It’s just a win-win.”
Alyssa, a sixth-degree black belt and nationally certified instructor from Crete, led the class from 1-3 p.m. at $15 per person. It covered basic self-defense moves, such as how to get out of an arm grab, and tips, such as a safe way to land on the ground.
Attendees also practiced hitting and kicking moves on bags and pads.
“The gross motor skills that, when you're put in a situation with the heightened heart rate and your thought process being a little bit lower, they're all moves that can still be done and used,” Alyssa said.
Alyssa also went over safety and awareness tips, such as common spots to avoid and how to ensure one is not an easy target.
Alyssa hosts a couple of these sessions annually and has been doing so for several years. She said she began offering them because she believes it is important for women to have knowledge on protecting themselves.
Alexa O’Donnell of York attended the class with her two teenage daughters. Her daughters got their first degree black belts at Gold Star ATA when they were younger, but it was the group's first self-defense class.
“My oldest daughter is getting ready to go to college out-of-state and my youngest is in high school and I'm getting older, and so I thought, well, this is a good time for all of us to learn some really good self-defense skills as we're out and about,” O’Donnell said.
O’Donnell said they learned some great strategies and techniques and got a solid workout in at the same time.
“Alyssa is a really good instructor, and she's easy to learn from,” O’Donnell said.”She explains things really well and very succinctly.”
Alyssa said the women who attended enjoyed that they got to work with a female instructor and felt a sense of empowerment after the class ended.
“I just love teaching, helping people out,” she said. “I always kind of hear them, afterwards, talk about how much they enjoyed it and feel more confident. That's what I like.”
