Hello and welcome to this month’s edition of Power Up with Lisa! Your ultimate resource for learning effective self-defense techniques, boosting confidence, and increasing your awareness.

In this issue, you'll learn how to throw a punch, read an inspiring success story, and unlock a special 🎉 offer just for you!

💪 Why Self-Defense? 

Self-defense empowers you to take control in dangerous situations, boosting your confidence and providing life-saving skills when every second counts. It’s not just about fighting back; it’s about staying calm, making smart decisions, and protecting your safety. Everyone deserves to feel secure and capable, no matter the circumstance.

🎯 Focus of the Month 

The Basic Punch (Jab or Cross)

The basic punch is a foundational technique in many self-defense systems. It typically refers to as a jab or cross. Here’s a breakdown of the basic punch:

Starting Position:

1. Your Basic Fighting Stance, which we learned in April's newsletter. 
2. Keep your hands up in a protective guard position: elbows tucked in, hands near your face, and your fists positioned around eye level and weight distributed evenly.

The Motion:

1. From your fighting stance, extend your arm forward while rotating your fist. 
2. As you extend your arm, rotate your body and shoulders slightly for added power.
3. Your fist should be aligned so that your knuckles contact the target. Your wrist should remain straight to avoid injury. 
4. After making contact, retract your arm back to your fighting stance. 
5. The power of the punch comes not just from the arm, but from the whole body. Engage your core and hips to generate force and speed. Exhale as you punch. A punch that relies only on the arm is less effective than using your whole body.

This basic punch, though simple, is extremely effective when executed with proper form. With practice, it can serve as the foundation for more advanced striking techniques.

🔦 Community Spotlight 

Real Self-Defense Success Story: How One Woman Fought Back and Escaped an Abduction Attempt

Name: Jennifer (not her real name for privacy reasons)
Location: California, USA
Date: 2019

The Situation:

In 2019, Jennifer, a 28-year-old woman, was walking to her car late one evening after a workout at her local gym. It was dark, and she was alone in the parking lot. She noticed a man walking toward her, but at first, she didn’t think much of it—until he suddenly grabbed her arm.

He attempted to pull her towards his vehicle, clearly intending to abduct her. Jennifer, a regular participant in self-defense classes, had been trained to stay calm in situations like this and to use her body and instincts to protect herself.

How Jennifer Escaped:

1. Initial Awareness:
   As soon as the man touched her, Jennifer felt an immediate rush of adrenaline. She quickly assessed the situation: the parking lot was nearly empty, but she could see lights from nearby stores, and there were some people walking in the distance. She knew she needed to act fast.
2. Using Her Training:
   Her self-defense classes taught her to immediately fight back and target vulnerable areas of the attacker’s body, such as the eyes, throat, and groin. Jennifer, who had been practicing these techniques for months, wasted no time. She used her free hand to elbow the man in the ribs, then immediately followed up by striking his throat with her palm—an attack that is designed to disable the attacker and create space.
3. Escaping the Hold:
   After the throat strike, Jennifer used her body to break free from his grip. One of the key takeaways from her training was to always create distance when possible. She didn’t hesitate to push the attacker away, which caused him to stumble back for a moment.
4. Calling for Help:
   As the attacker regained his balance, Jennifer ran toward the nearby store and screamed for help. She also pulled out her phone and dialed 911 while running. The man, realizing that Jennifer had escaped and was now drawing attention, quickly fled the scene before law enforcement arrived.
5. Aftermath:
   Police later reviewed surveillance footage from the parking lot, which showed the attempted abduction. The footage helped identify the attacker, who was later arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping. Jennifer’s quick thinking, combined with her self-defense training, made all the difference in her ability to escape and protect herself.

Stay calm in chaos

Why This Story Matters:

Jennifer’s story is a powerful example of how self-defense training can make a critical difference in real-life situations. By using what she had learned in class—being aware, fighting back when necessary, and creating opportunities for escape—she was able to protect herself from a potentially life-threatening situation.

It also highlights the importance of trusting your instincts and not hesitating when faced with a dangerous situation. Jennifer's courage and quick thinking are an inspiration to anyone who is looking to increase their personal safety.

➡️ Upcoming Events & Classes

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🔥 Quick Action

* Answer at bottom of page

Question:  Which of the following is considered a non-lethal option for self-defense?

A) Pepper Spray

B) Firearm

C) Knife

D) Baton

Using a less-than-lethal weapon for self-defense is a smart and responsible choice because it allows you to protect yourself without resorting to deadly force, reducing legal risks and ethical concerns. Tools like pepper spray or tasers can effectively stop or deter an attacker, giving you time to escape, and they’re often legal, easy to carry, and simple to use. They also lower the chance of escalating a situation into something more dangerous while still providing peace of mind and a sense of safety. 

🔗 Stay Connected

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts, questions, or topics you’d like us to cover in future newsletters. Follow us on social media:

Thank you for joining the Power Up community! Together, we’re not just learning self-defense; we’re creating a movement of empowered individuals.

Stay Safe. Stay Strong. Stay Powered Up!

* Quick Action Answer: A