Senior Hosts Self-Defense Seminars for Students

Participants Practice a Palm-Heel Strike.

By Bryn Macias
Staff Writer | The Pacific Times

The goal of Senior Kayla Villegas’ Senior Project was to prepare students for college, where they will be away from the safety of their own home, and around many unfamiliar people.

Villegas said she wants students to have the knowledge and skills to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

On Wednesday, Jan. 22, Villegas hosted her first self-defense seminar after school as part of her Senior Project. She also hosted a second seminar on Wednesday, Jan. 29, after school.

Kayla, Sutter Sr., and Sutter Jr. Demonstrate a Palm-Heel Strike.

Villegas brought in an instructor, Sutter Sieglitz, who has experience in multiple kinds of martial arts, including a black belt in taekwondo, a purple belt in jiu jitsu, and experience in a host of other martial arts. The instructor explained that he uses martial arts every day in his life, just not in the way most people would assume. Experience with martial arts has taught him to “be aware of (his) surroundings, and project confidence,” which has kept him out of situations where he may have had to use the physical skills learned through martial arts.

Villegas and Sieglitz began the seminar by demonstrating how students should hold themselves confidently, and tell someone to “back off,” in a way that makes them understand that no means no. Participants then practiced this themselves, being encouraged to speak loud and clear, without looking afraid.

Participants were then taught how to do a palm-heel strike, partnering with each other to practice hitting a padded target held by one student. As the seminar progressed, students learned new hits, going over how to injure someone’s nose, neck, eyes, and ears in quick succession. 

In addition to the various physical skills participants were taught, Sieglitz made it evident that martial arts also has a “psychological and emotional” side, and it helps people be courageous, which he defines as “doing the right thing, even if you are afraid.”  

A participant in the seminar, Sophomore Julien Schoech, explained that he “learned a lot of practical skills that (he) could use in a real life situation.” He added that he enjoyed the “safe and friendly” environment to learn new skills.

Villegas herself, who has been practicing martial arts for seven years, attested to the benefits of martial arts by explaining how with much experience, “even if your brain freezes, your body doesn’t.” 

For more information on her project, students are encouraged to email Kayla Villegas at [email protected].

Kayla, the Instructor, and Participants after the Seminar.