The murder of 17-year-old Chelsea King at Rancho Bernardo Community Park has led to an increased interest in local self-defense classes.
In response, a number of groups are providing free safety workshops for teenagers and adults.
Free self-defense training classes geared toward teens and women will be held for the next four Sunday afternoons at Poway Kenpo Karate, 13246 Poway Road, in the Lively Shopping Center.
Owner Barry Barker said the two classes will be on March 21, 27 and April 3. The sessions will begin at 2 and 5 p.m. Free monthly classes are planned beyond that point, Barker said.
Participants must be 13 years and older and minors must be accompanied by a parent or older sibling.
E-mail or call Barker to confirm participation in the offered classes. He can be reached at school@powaymartialarts.com or at 858-486-1003.
In addition, The Church at Rancho Bernardo is offering a free women’s self-defense and safety awareness workshop on Saturday, April 17. It is open to 50 attendees, ages 12 and older. To register, contact Tom and Darien Cookson at tomdarien@sbcglobal.net or 858-484-7614.
On March 7, about 85 locals — primarily mothers with their teenage daughters in tow — attended a free two-hour workshop at United Studios of Self Defense in 4S Ranch, said Linnea Edwards, the studio’s chief instructor.
She said King’s murder prompted the studio to provide the workshop, which focused on awareness and ways to decrease the probability of becoming an attacker’s target.
Edwards also said the attendees learned common sense ways to fend off an attacker that do not rely on martial arts training. For example, they were shown how items in a purse can be used as weapons to defend themselves.
The studio will offer at least three more free two-hour workshops in 4S Ranch this month, she said. One is set for and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 27 at Velocity Sports Performance, 10806 Willow Court, and 2 p.m. Saturday, March 20 at LA Fitness, 16913 Dove Canyon Road.
The workshops are for middle school age and older. Attendees should register in advance by calling 858-674-9757.
