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Home » Uncategorized » Alpena’s Pretty Deadly Self Defense class first in the U.S. – Alpena News

News Photo by Darby Hinkley A group of women in Cristi Johnsons Pretty Deadly Self Defense class participate in an exercise in which they encircle a classmate and take turns approaching her pretending to be an assailant and the middle participant practices her self-defense skills learned in class.

ALPENA A self-defense course that uses different techniques than many other programs has come to the U.S., and Alpena graduated its first class on Monday night.

The Pretty Deadly Self Defense program has gained popularity around the world, with classes being taught in Europe, Asia and Africa. This year, they certified their first two North American Trainers, one of whom is Cristi Johnson, owner of SkellaFit in Alpena. Master Trainer Cristi Skella Johnson, operates her practice out of Joshua Tree Studio in Alpena, and now represents the U.S. as its first Master Trainer.

The first seeds for Pretty Deadly Self Defense were sewn in Chicago, when I developed an early version of the program for my mom, Pretty Deadly Self Defense Founder Susie Kahlich said in a press release. As the Pretty Deadly program has grown in Europe and the U.K., its always been my dream to see it return home one day, back to the U.S.A. Coach Skellas Pretty Deadly course isnt just her first graduating class, they are the very first Pretty Deadly graduates in the United States and I couldnt be more proud and excited.

Johnson is honored and excited for the opportunity.

Being invited to lead the team of Pretty Deadly Trainers in the U.S. is nothing short of a dream for me, Johnson said. As a personal trainer, I found there was a common theme among the women I worked with. Many were interested in learning self-defense, but they were not comfortable with the traditional class structures that were being offered.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Graduates of the Pretty Deadly Self Defense course are pictured at Joshua Tree Studio in Alpena, where classes are held. Pictured in back, from left, are Candy Dwyer, Michele Heinzel, Rachar Ruczynski, and Nichole Seres. Pictured in front, from left, are instructor Cristi Johnson, Sara Verville, Katie Jones, and Heather Sutton. Not pictured are graduates Pam Joslin and Harriet Pinger.

She said Pretty Deadly is different because it takes into account the fact that many people who are concerned about being attacked or assaulted have been victims before.

Rarely, if ever, do self-defense workshops consider how the training may affect those who have been victims of violence, Johnson said. Pretty Deadly is not only thoughtful and trauma-informed, but they also approach how the class is taught in a way that people enjoy. It is a comfortable, empowering environment with an emphasis on fun, where women can come together to learn. I love everything about this program, and Im proud to represent the U.S. as we grow our outreach worldwide.

In the final class of a six-week course on Monday evening, participants were not only demonstrating the skills they had learned, but they were clearly having a good time, laughing with each other and helping each other hone their skills.

This is an uplifting experience, and she makes it fun, even though the content can be serious, class participant Katie Jones said of Johnson. Cristi puts on a lot of classes, and theyre all amazing. I train with her.

Jones said she learned a new approach to self-defense. She said other things she had learned before were more fear-based, but this program is more reactionary and about trusting your body and your intuition to know what to do in the situation.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Instructor Cristi Johnson helps Katie Jones and Heather Sutton with some defense moves on Monday evening before graduation certificates were issued at the conclusion of class.

It just feels natural, she said. Its good stuff to think about, and feel confident about.

Classmate Michele Heinzel said the class was empowering.

Cristi does an amazing job, and she makes you feel so at ease, Heinzel said. It sounded like a fun way to have some me time and also do something active One of the things Cristi taught us, from day one, is to trust your body, and she had us do this exercise where we lean forward until we catch ourselves, and she told us, Thats your body knowing instinctively what to do, and how to protect you.'

She added that the goal is to get away from the violence, not to fight like a ninja.

Shes teaching you how to think, get them away, make space, and run, Heinzel explained. Shes teaching you how to stay safe, and not so much get in a fight. She said A fight is an invitation. Were just trying to get you home safe.'

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Candy Dwyer hits a handheld pad held by Sara Verville on Monday night while Rachar Ruczynski looks on in the background during a Pretty Deadly class.

Heinzel added that the positive group atmosphere was awesome.

It was so much fun being able to hang out with a bunch of women and have fun and laugh, she said. Were just here to learn some cool skills and have a good time.

Johnson said the main goal of the class is to equip people with knowledge and skills that will help them stay safe when dangerous situations arise.

She said a local counselor approached her about looking into getting certified for the training because many people think they are ready for danger, but may not know how to properly protect themselves. Someone who had been previously assaulted was scared it might happen again so they had been carrying a roll of quarters in their hand at night in case something happened, but if you punch someone with a roll of quarters in your fist, you would break your hand. That was explained to the person, who was not aware that could happen. This type of self-defense course gives common-sense solutions to addressing and fleeing violent situations.

I searched high and low for a certification program that really gelled with me, and when I came across Pretty Deadly, it was without question the program I wanted to be a part of, Johnson said. Im so in love with this program because we break things down from minor aggressions and work it all the way up to a very violent attack, and how to handle all of those things If you feel empowered to do something in that scenario, you can possibly stop that pattern of violence before it escalates.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley The women in Cristi Johnsons Pretty Deadly Self Defense class have fun while learning moves to protect themselves in class on Monday evening.

She said this first class was for women ages 18 and up, but that she plans to offer programs for different age groups and all people.

Coach Skella and her class are leading the way as we expand across North America, and its all thanks to Cristis passion and commitment to recognizing the strength in every woman, and helping all of us bloom, added Kahlich.

Its never been taught in this format in the U.S., Johnson added. Im so stoked that it was in Alpena.

The next Pretty Deadly Self Defense six week course will launch on May 1 at Joshua Tree in Alpena. Anyone who is interested can pre-register at skellafit.com.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Cristi Johnson demonstrates a move with the help of Nichole Seres.

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Alpena's Pretty Deadly Self Defense class first in the U.S. - Alpena News

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Home » Uncategorized » Alpena’s Pretty Deadly Self Defense class first in the U.S. – Alpena News