Awareness and Self-Defense are Key to Crime Prevention

According to a recent article published by AARP, there are several factors toward ensuring personal safety for those age 50+ while they're exercising. The article, "Getting Motivated: Beating the Barriers to Exercise," cited the following tips on personal safety:

• Walk tall and display confidence. Confident targets are less likely to be selected.
  
• Recruit an exercise buddy. Two are always safer than one.
  
• Exercise in the morning. Based on crime statistics, it's a safer time of day.
  
• Be aware. Trust your instincts. If someone or somewhere doesn't feel safe, it isn't!
  
• Don't second guess yourself; leave immediately.
  
• Exercise in an area that's well lit, with some foot traffic so you're not alone. Many shopping malls open early and have security on duty. You'll be surprised how many people take advantage of mall-walking programs.
  
• Carry pepper spray or a whistle in a handy place (for example, on a wrist bracelet or around your neck). Take your dog with you on your walk.
  
• Awareness and prevention are key. Take a self-defense course, but remember that it's easier to avoid a high-risk situation than get yourself out of it.
  

Okay, but where does someone take a self-defense course that is geared toward those over age 50? The JCC, of course!

Grandmaster Jon Stephens, founder of American Free Spirit Karate Association in Columbus, will present an hour-long self-defense demonstration on Friday, Aug. 15, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Room 218. Grandmaster Stephens, a 7th degree blackbelt, has developed a program entitled "World in Self-Defense" that is based upon the techniques of TaeKwon Do which can be used to thwart a would-be attacker.

"The World in Self-Defense program is a very practical form of training utilizing the pressure points of the human anatomy to defend against an attacker," he said. "Take the confidence you gain from this class out to every part of your life and reap the rewards from your time spent at the class.

"Learning to control any situation is worth the time. Don't wait until it's too late to figure out that you need self-defense," he said.

No prior martial arts knowledge is necessary. If attending the class, be sure to wear comfortable clothing.

And remember, you don't have to be a JCC member, nor do you have to be Jewish, to attend the class. For more information, contact Debbie Vinocur, JCC New Horizons program director, at (614) 559-6214 or dvinocur@columbusjcc.org.