Published in the Sept. 16-29, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Barbara Rodriguez
Photo courtesy West Coast Martial Arts
Barbara Rodriguez is the owner and head instructor at West Coast Martial Arts in Morgan Hill. She will be teaching free self-defense classes at the end of the month.
The world we live in today contains more distractions and dangers than ever before. And as our world changes, we must adapt in order to keep ourselves and our children safe. Learning to have self confidence, being aware of your surroundings and being in the moment are important tools to have in order to keep yourself safe.
As the head instructor and owner of Ernie Reyes West Coast World Martial Arts in Morgan Hill, I understand all too well what it means to be a victim of crime. It is a personal experience that I will never forget and I understand how frightening it can be. I would like to be able to share my knowledge and martial arts skills so that others can avoid being a victim. My passion and determination is what separates Ernie Reyes from other martial arts schools. I live each day doing what I love because of the passion I have for people and martial arts. I live and breathe martial arts and want to help others make their lives better in any way possible.
I would like to invite the Morgan Hill community to learn and be able to use these life-saving tools. Classes will focus on self-confidence, awareness and, if need be, how to defend yourself and get away in a physical situation. The free classes will be held every three months and all ages are welcome. The first self-defense and anti-bullying class will be held Sept. 23 at the West Coast World Martial Arts school, 15650 Vineyard Blvd. Class times start at 4:30 p.m. for ages 7 to 15, 5:15 p.m. for ages 4 to 6, 6 p.m. for ages 7 to 15 and the adult class will start at 7 p.m.
I would like to share with the community what I have learned from my martial arts training. Having self-confidence and being aware of your surroundings can help save your life.
With the school year just starting, the series of classes will also focus on child safety and anti-bulling tactics. Children will learn how to be aware of people and things around them, stranger danger, tactics used to lure children, and how to identify and describe a dangerous stranger to authorities. Children will also learn how bullying can negatively affect others as well as themselves, and what can be done if they are being bullied.
What happened to the 8-year-old girl in Santa Cruz named Madyson “Maddy” Middleton broke my heart. In July she was lured away from safety and saw her life end early. I want children to have the tools to never be put into that situation.
I teach martial arts full time to children and adults as well as a cardio kickboxing class. I focus on teaching students how to reach their personal goals, self-confidence, self-discipline, being positive and to give value to others. Along with teaching martial arts, I also teach students the importance of eating healthy and living an active lifestyle.
Being able to teach martial arts to others is an amazing experience. I get to watch people grow, meet personal goals in their life, and be healthy and active. There is nothing more rewarding than that.
Barbara Rodriguez is the head instructor and owner of Ernie Reyes West Coast World Martial Arts in Morgan Hill. She wrote this column for Morgan Hill Life.
