|
Recent attacks prompt martial arts teacher to offer free self-defense class for women
By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Ledger Staff Writer scottb@gaffneyledger.com
 | | Gaffney martial arts instructor John Dowdy is seen here applying an “arm bar” to Michael Skinner. Dowdy will offer a free women’s self defense workshop Jan. 3 and 4 at his dojo, the American College of Martial Arts, 508 N. Limestone St. |
|
Recent crimes in Gaffney have put many residents on edge about personal security.
Newly arrived martial arts master John Dowdy hopes a free women’s self-defense class can put some of those minds at ease.
“I’ve given exhibitions on self-defense before,” Dowdy said. “But with the recent rape cases many people in town have come up to me with questions about personal defense. The seminar will help to teach people not only about self-defense but selfprotection.”
Dowdy is a master of Tiger Shark Hapkido, with over 30 years experience in martial arts.
“I started when I was stationed in Korea with the U.S. Air Force,” he said. “The training I received was off base in Korea, not necessarily government training. At that time, I knew I had found one of my passions in life. I’m 54 years old now and I consider myself to be in great shape. So, there’s a physical fitness benefit of it, but I also have a lot of fun doing martial arts. I tell my students all the time that they shouldn’t be doing it if it isn’t fun. If bowling is your thing, then you should go do that.”
The benefits Dowdy stresses to his students at the American College of Martial Arts dojo at 508 N. Limestone St. aren’t strictly limited to the physical.
“Martial arts can help you with speed, balance, coordination, flexibility, strength, respiration and circulation,” he said. “But it isn’t limited to that. It also teaches self-control, discipline, self-motivation, mental awareness, self-confidence and many other more intangible things. There are many children in our classes with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and even some who have been psychologically diagnosed as being bi-polar and the training has helped them immensely.”
Dowdy will actually offer two free seminars for women’s self-defense. One is scheduled for Jan. 3 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. And another is scheduled for Jan. 4 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Both events will be held at the American College of Martial Arts on Limestone Street.
“We’re going to show some basic self-defense techniques,” Dowdy said. “Many people ask if the basic stuff will do any good. And the answer is – only if you practice it. If you buy a gun, you’ll be no safer than you were without the weapon if you don’t take it out every once in a while to stay practiced with it. The same is true for any martial art. We will also be stressing self-protection techniques at these seminars, which goes back to that self-awareness, concentration and observation I was talking about. These habits will help you be safer not only around your home but also in any public place.”
Dowdy’s martial arts mastery extends through many forms and arts. He is an eighth degree black belt in Tiger Shark Hapkido, but also holds black belts of varying degrees in Tae Kwon Do, Kenpo Karate, Jujitsu, Great White Crane Kung Fu, Black Tiger Kung Fu, Korean Judo and many other arts.
For more information, contact Dowdy at 487-0488.
| 
)