Women's Self-Defense Class Comes to Westchase

Learn to recognize situations that increase vulnerability. Develop skills in avoiding at-risk circumstances. Mentally prepare to face an attack. Utilize skillful, evasive action when necessary. And arm yourself with defensive techniques not dependent on physical strength or size.

These are the skills attendess can expect to learn at the upcoming Women's Self Defense class being offered at Westchase Impact Martial Arts.

Westchase Patch recently caught up with instructor Alexey Petrov, who gave us more details about this upcoming course for females aged 13 and older.

Patch: How is a women's self defense class different from a men's self defense class?

Petrov: I have taught many co-ed classes before and often I get the feedback from female students that they are intimidated or self-concious to learn and practice in a co-ed environment. This class is made up all female students, and is designed to make the individuals feel as comfortable as possible while learning the techniques.

Patch: Can you describe the techniques learned in this class?

Petrov: The course is based on Haganah and Commando Krav Maga Systems, which are both Israeli Self-Defense Systems and are used by Israeli military and Special Forces Units.  These systems are proven and battlefield-tested, and are designed to defeat stronger, more skilled, and even armed opponents.  They do not employ countless, complicated techniques, but rather easy-to-learn systems which enable our students to become confident and capable right away.   

Patch: What is the background on Westchase IMA?

Petrov: Most of our students are Westchase residents and we provide classes her for kids ages 3 and up -- for families, and teens/adults.  The studio is led by Alexey Petrov, the head instructor of Westchase IMA. His skills include Taekwondo, Muay Thai and Haganah (Israeli Self-Defense System). He is a certified Haganah Instructor with hand-to-hand combat, knife disarms, gun disarms and other aspects of the system.  Alexey is also a 5th Degree Black in Taekwondo with 20 years of Martial Arts experience.

Patch: Who are the instructors for this class?

Petrov: There are going to be two instructors.  One is Alexey Petrov (see bio above) and the the other is Rita Hopper, a certified Women’s Commando Krav Maga/Smartsafe instructor, 1st Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and a certified RN.  Rita is now teaching Smartsafe, a self-defense course developed specifically for women ages 13 and up. She believes the beauty of this course is that the classes are built around reality situations designed to equip even "athletically challenged" women to detect and avoid potentially dangerous situations, giving them some simple and effective techniques with which to foil an attack if necessary.

Patch: What should attendees bring or wear to the class?

Petrov: Attendees should wear comfortable workout clothes such as t-shirts and excercise pants. They should also bring a bottle of water and small towel.

Westchase Impact Martial Arts Class:

When: Saturday, September 24, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Where: Westchase Impact Martial Arts

Price: $20

To register or for more information: Call Westchase IMA at 813- 600-5260. Spaces in this class are first come, first serve.