Self-defense classes to start next month Published Feb. 11, 2011 By Becky Pillifant 72nd Force Support Squadron Marketing Specialist TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- It only takes two or three seconds to get out of a life-threatening situation. That's all you need, a chance to catch the aggressor off guard and get away. Self defense is about surviving real life situations where there is a real risk of physical harm to you or your loved ones. Self defense can be used to protect you against abuse, bulling on the street or in an enclosed environment such as car-hijacks. Effective self defense techniques can be successfully applied by men or women, no matter what their size or age. The whole idea about self defense is that everyone is a weapon -- they just don't know how to use it. "The smallest and weakest people can gather enough power to successfully defend themselves against a predator," said Scott "Conan" Mincey, a self defense instructor who will begin teaching classes at Tinker next month. "Student knowledge of targeting vital areas prepares them for any situation. Training teaches students how to remain in control while their bodies are reacting to an adrenaline rush that can either make or break a person in a real-life situation." Starting March 1, the Tinker Fitness Annex in Bldg. 216 will begin offering self-defense classes from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays. Classes will last for three weeks with a new class starting on the first Tuesday of each month. Former self defense student Eva Giesbrecht found herself in a real-life situation. "While at tech school, a friend and I went out to a club. We were dancing, when a guy came up and literally tried to put his hands on my private body parts," she said. "I took hold of his hand and did a maneuver where you dig your thumb into the aggressor's hand and twist, this causes great pain to that person. It's something that is unobtrusive and doesn't get much attention from other people, but it works very well in a close situation. After I made him hurt, he went away." Self defense is slower paced, so students can understand the techniques and apply them in different situations. It is easier than other martial arts courses and can be used by different people no matter their skill or age. This class teaches students how to get out of situations and get away to save their life. But, you still need to practice the techniques, Giesbrecht said. "I practice different techniques with my girl friends at work and with my mom who is 70," she said. "I like to visualize a situation in my mind when I practice." Another Tinker Air Force Base employee recounts an experience from a time when she was in her 20s. "The guy I was dating got upset with me and decided to pin me up against a wall. It was a very scary incident, because you really don't know what to do," said Debb Charlton. "So I just stood there and waited for him to release me so I could get away. Of course that was the end of that relationship. "Since then I decided I needed to learn what to do in situations like that if it ever happens again. Self defense has helped my self-esteem and is a big confidence builder for me." Instructor Mincey is a four-time World Kickboxing Champion with 34 years experience in Martial Arts. He is a three-time National Karate Champion and was inducted in the World Hall of Fame. He holds fifth degree black belts in Taekwondo and Kito-Ryu Jujitsu. He also holds a first degree black belt in Chuk-Kune-do, which he learned under Chuck Norris. He has created a workout system called "Mincey Combat System," and taught self defense and combat training for more than 15 years to private individuals and many state and federal agencies. He is the owner and founder of Conan's Academy in Norman. Classes are open to all Tinker ID card holders ages 13 and above. Cost is $65 per person or $100 for two people. Those planning to join the class as a pair should let the instructor know to receive the discount. In the final class, students have the opportunity to practice self-defense techniques at full force against an aggressor dressed in a protective suit developed for this type of self-defense. Students will be awarded a certificate upon completion of the course.