This workshop will help individuals learn how to recognize and react to dangerous situations. Strategies are discussed and practiced to develop awareness along with the use of simple and effective self defense techniques to deter and escape an attack.
Gary Koelbel attended a local high school and has a degree from Southern Illinois University. He has a 5th degree black belt (Godan) in Shotokan Karate and a 1st degree balck belt in Budo Tai Jutsu. In addition to Shotokan Karate, Gary also teaches self defense and kickboxing. He has studied martial arts since 1985 and Shotokan Karate since 1990 and has been with Community Education since 1995. Gary’s story began when he made an acquaintance who he later found to be a martial arts instructor and he encouraged Gary to try a class.
Shotokan Karate is not just about self-defense and fighting competitively, but more about a person's physical, mental and spiritual development. The exercises promote movement and awareness of the whole body. The individual can progress at their own rate to reach the prescribed levels of advancement. Coming to classes consistently and training without any special equipment allows most ages and lifestyles to participate. The depth of art allows everyone to choose to keep learning even over a lifetime.
Gary Koelbel
