SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — From awareness to action: Tsunami Self Defense is teaming up with Roll Call in Scranton for a women-only seminar that builds strength, teaches real-world protection skills, all while giving back to a local women’s center.
The “Reduce The Risks” night of training is designed to provide participants with techniques to reduce risk and respond in the event of an assault.
Bringing protection through education in an interactive setting, Tsunami Self Defense offers women-only classes, along with men’s, co-ed, and specialized workshops.
Owner and head instructor Robert Thomas told us what these classes look like.
“Most of our classes start in the classroom at the desk. We do a little classwork, background of a criminology, and sociology. Because it’s not just about moves. No class starts with a martial arts move. It starts with the pre-incident indicators, early warning signs. We cover situational awareness,” said Thomas.
Focused on helping people “reduce the risk” of an assault, Thomas said the next step is getting on the mat to practice real, physical responses. That training is reinforced through a simulation area, where participants step into realistic scenarios that mirror how an actual assault might unfold.
“Then we move into this area here, the mat area. It’s more of a traditional dojo training center. And that’s where we do the physicality stuff. Then a blend of those two go into the simulation rooms,” said Thomas.
“We have a simulation area where we set up various scenarios. Whether it’s elevator assaults, living rooms, bedrooms. We do all sorts of home invasion drills, workplace violence. We can mockup a room to look like an office space or dining facility. And then we role-play and drill those exact maneuvers in real-life obstacles. We bring in all the props, if you will,” said Thomas.
With April recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, Thomas said an upcoming “Reduce The Risks” women-only training will also give back. It is collecting donations and care package items for the Women’s Resource Center of Lackawanna County, which supports survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
“We do many trainings at colleges and universities. But we’re doing one here, at our training facility, Roll Call on Tuesday night, April 28. The proceeds and donations, we’re collecting care packages and personal care items. Shampoo, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, things like that,” said Thomas.
Thomas left participants with a powerful takeaway from his self-defense training, what he calls the “4 P’s.”
“Empowerment and reality-based training together makes us more prepared. We have the 4 P’s of women’s self-defense. We want people to be prepared and proactive. So, we’re not paranoid or paralyzed by fear,” said Thomas.
The Reduce the Risks training night will be held on April 28 inside Roll Call in Scranton.
To learn more about Tsunami Self Defense, its programs, and more on the training night, click here.