Bob Libby teaches a self-defense move to a student at the Escape to Gain Safety women’s self-defense seminar Saturday, Nov. 23. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo
The Anza Community Hall reverberated with shouts, grunts and the slap of fist against pads as Mike Patke held his “Escape to Gain Safety” women’s self-defense seminar Saturday, Nov. 23. The free event attracted about a dozen ladies interested learning in the defense techniques offered.“The Escape to Gain Safety class is a seminar I started in 1987, and it is now taught in at least five different countries,” Patke said. “Focusing on situational awareness and being able to escape attacks, it is a hands-on, one-day class that also offers a wealth of information to ages 12 and up.”Minors need to be accompanied by an adult to take part in the session, he said.“I have been teaching for over 40
