CLASS REVIEW

EZ Defense At Fire Fist Tukong Martial Arts School

review by Lisa Hickey

So you think you’re able to defend yourself? Can you stave off an attacker? Most people think they probably can. But according to Lonnie Lepp, owner and founder of Fire Fist Martial Arts School of Austin and the instructor for EZ Defense classes, the truly best way to defend yourself is to recognize the warning signs of an attack before it happens and avoid threatening situations all together.
“The biggest difference between our program and other defense classes is we teach you to identify preincident indicators,” explains Lepp. “Universally, certain characteristics in a person’s body language preclude an assault — jaw tightens, shoulders tense and one arm goes back.”
At the class I recently attend, four females, including myself, and four males gather in a large room with mirrors on one wall and windows on the other. Due to spring break, I’m told the attendance is small tonight. The class consists of some regulars who are familiar with the instruction. My first impression is that the students already seem capable of protecting themselves, especially the 6-foot-2-inch former Army sergeant. I wonder why they are here.
“This class has come in handy for me,” explains truck driver Richard Erwin-Loomis. “I have to deal with road rage and other dangerous situations. This has saved me from injury by teaching me the right response. Basically, it gives me a sense of control.”
We begin with each person picking up two rattan batons about 24 inches long that are used as training weapons. We get with a partner and try to follow the instructor’s commands of making mock ‘jab’ and ‘stab’ movements. There is no background music and the only sound is the thumping of the sticks, allowing the students to focus and remain disciplined; no one talks except for the instructor.
The class then focuses on the mental aspects of defense and a technique titled neuro linguistic programming (NLP). Lepp says that the brain is a padlock and NLP is the key. In short, he says, it reveals how the process of thinking works. The first exercise we do centers on soft-focus, or the ability to concentrate on a primary event while remaining aware of outside stimuli. The students choose a partner and sit about two feet from each other. We stare at our partners, looking directly into their eyes, for five minutes. (For someone who loves spy novels, I can’t help but imagine I’m going through some sort of training for undercover agents.) We are to imagine that we can see our partner’s hands while we stare into their eyes.
“You should notice other things in your outside field of vision,” instructs Lepp. “See what’s above and behind your partner as you remain looking into his [or her] eyes.”
The class becomes more active as we practice the step-response-to-threat exercise and how to use the power of our voices and body language. Most confrontations and assaults can be stopped by a strong command and body carriage, according to Lepp. Start off by just saying “Stop,” Lepp tells us, as he guides us through the escalating degrees of threat and how we should respond. We practice the different techniques with different partners.
The class ends with a question: What did you notice tonight? One student asks why she practices with batons if she’s not going to have them during an attack. Lepp points out that you should use anything in your vicinity as a weapon such as a rock, a camera or even a cell phone.
Another student wants to know how much he can control an attack situation.
“Reality can be harsh or it can be fine and wonderful,” says Lepp. “We get to make that choice. Imagine you’re walking to your car in a parking lot and a van is parked next to you. A man asks you to help them because they are handicapped. You have a bad feeling. You notice he did not park in an available designated handicap parking spot. You can use sound judgment here. You can control this situation.”
A female student in her early 50s shares her personal story:
“I cried during my first defense class here,” she says, “because I am a rape survivor and it brought up so much I had blocked out. This class has taken away a lot of my guilt and shame so I’ve been able to go back and deal with it. Now, my 17-year-old daughter is in the class. She’s had confrontations with young men and she’s put them in their place. This class has really helped both of us.”
Students should dress in comfortable workout clothing and wear a soft-soled pair of cross-trainers. Most students wear sweat pants and T-shirts. There is bottled water available for purchase at the school.
The class is not too strenuous and could be attended by those of most fitness and age levels.
EZ Defense classes are offered Monday through Thursday from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Fire Fist Martial Arts School of Austin, located at 12129 Ranch Road 620 North, Ste. 530, behind Dairy Queen. The drop-in price is $15 per class, $25 per week or $75 per month. Two rattan batons are required equipment for the class. For more information, visit www.firefist.com or call 331-KICK.