I spent 2 evenings this week at the South Bend Police Station. They hosted a Women's Self Defense class. As soon as I heard about it, I signed myself and my mom up. And I'm so glad I did.

I would highly recommend this to any and every woman. In fact, they will be offering 5 more classes, and I will let you know the details if I hear about them.

We learned a lot of great tips and techniques, and after the first day I already felt more confident and aware. After tonight's session, I'm more than ready to save myself should the need arise. We ended the last session with a real full-force attack. All of the practicing of moves had been done at a slow speed and a low force. Then the instructors suited up in protective gear so that we could fight back when they attacked us.

I did not realize how real that attack was going to be. I watched the first student volunteer and couldn't believe what I was seeing. Wow. The instructor/attacker was definitely fighting at 100%. It was scary.

I was the second to the last to go. I had no idea what moves he would use on me (just like with a real life attacker), but I remembered some of my basics ways to respond. I was nervous beforehand, but honestly, once the fighting started, the adrenaline took over, and I beat the crap out of this guy. It's such a confidence boost to realize that I was the winner, that I can fight back, that I can survive.

I had him pinned against the wall and got him right in the jewels. Repeatedly. He actually had to stop and give up. I hurt him that badly, and that was through the safe suit padding to protect him! And this is a big, highly trained police officer that we're talking about.

I learned so much from this class, most importantly the confidence in myself, seeing for real that I can do this.