NPC Offers Self-Defense for Seniors Seminar

National Park College (NPC) hosted Security and Self-Defense Skills for Seniors this week in the NPC Wellness Center.

The seminar covered prevention strategies to minimize chances of victimization and increase a sense of security in a variety of environments and circumstances. It included hands-on demonstrations and practice with a variety of self-defense intervention tactics practical for seniors to increase the chances of survival if confrontation is unavoidable.

Self Defense for Seniors at NPCInstructor, Travis Sorrows, led the class. Sorrows is a Vietnam War Veteran, retired FBI Special Agent, and active senior citizen. During his career, Sorrows was trained by the Secret Service and served on the protection detail for both the Attorney General of the United States and FBI Director. He was certified by the FBI as a firearms and defensive tactics instructor.

Self Defense Training for SeniorsSorrows believes physical limitations should not render a person powerless and helpless. “A person doesn’t have to be a martial arts expert to prevent assault and protect themselves from predators,” he said. “Prevention is always preferable to intervention. However, when confrontation cannot be avoided seniors must act with sufficient skills to survive and ward off would be assailants,” he added. Learning and practicing simple self-defense techniques can be empowering in reducing fear and stress, and greatly increase self-confidence in thwarting an attack.

The seminar will be offered again November 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $69. For registration information call 501.760.4223 or register online at shortclass.np.edu.

Photo 1: Pictured is participant Gary Vogt with instructor Travis Sorrows practicing simple self-defense techniques.

Photo 2: Pictures is instructor Travis Sorrows demonstrating simple self-defense techniques with participants Landra and Wayne Roberts and Mike Williams.