Learning to defend themselves: Women’s self-defense classes set to begin at Fitness Center Published Feb. 16, 2006 By Senior Airman Candy Knight 60th AMW Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Beginning Thursday, the Fitness Center will start offering self-defense classes for women ages 16 and up. “The purpose of the class is to give tools for women to protect themselves through self-discovery,” said Staff Sgt. Larry Sigley, the class instructor. Sergeant Sigley is an air transportation specialist with the 60th Aerial Port Squadron and has been a self-defense instructor for three years. “The class will focus on rape prevention and awareness and the psychological effects that can take place during an attack. What the class will teach is how to channel the psychological effects and use that as fuel to fight back rather than freeze,” said Sergeant Sigley. “The class will teach concepts as well as a variety of self- defense techniques that can be used for different situations,” added Sergeant Sigley. “The idea is for the students to learn how to use their bodies’ weakness and strengths to protect themselves.” The classes will meet every Thursday, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mothers are encouraged to bring their daughter(s), as long as they meet the minimum age of 16. “The reason for the age limit is because of the violent explanations and sexual issues that will be addressed during the class,” said Sergeant Sigley. But while the issues addressed by the class may be tough, Sergeant Sigley says it is important for women to understand the dangers facing them and ways to overcome them. “What I hope students will get from the class is that they learn to depend on their own weaknesses and strengths to defeat an attacker,” said Sergeant Sigley. “Security devices, guns and other weapons are good, but in the end, the only thing that a person can truly and without fail depend on for personal protection is themselves.” For more information about the Women’s Self Defense class, contact the Fitness Center at 424-2008.