COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – A group of women had the chance to learn some hands-on self-defense techniques Saturday all for free thanks to Brazos Valley MMA and Fitness.

The company, located inside Post Oak Mall has been putting on free classes for women for over a year.

They try to hold them every 3 to 4 months with every class being different. It got started when BVMMA started to notice issues with sexual assaults on college campuses and within the community.

These sessions provide a way to teach skills that can help in a potentially dangerous situation.

The most recent hour-long course focused on teaching women how to utilize their bodies, to get on their feet when they’re down, and how to escape if someone grabs their wrists.

“It’s always a good thing to have some skills and techniques in your arsenal just in case,” said BVMMA instructor Dmitri Westbrook. “If you leave with one technique that you learned today, basically I did my job.”

KBTX spoke with Candace Munoz who visited the class with her daughter Lilyann.

“I just wanted to do some self-defense classes with her so that I know she’ll be able to take care of herself if something were to happen,” Munoz said.

That’s when she came across the free women’s defense class offered by BVMMA.

“I searched the internet and found it and reached out to the owner here and they set us up,” Munoz said.

Candace said the most enjoyable part was learning these skills with her daughter and seeing Lilyann’s confidence and aggression.

“I’d say the biggest thing I’ve learned was always being ready to fight back, and always like gaining stance and having the confidence to fight back,” Lilyann Jackowski said.

The two said they plan to attend the next free class when it’s offered.

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