Instructors from Vaughn’s Dojang School of Martial Arts, located in Audubon, taught MHS juniors self-defense from Jan. 27-30.
Vaugh’s Dojang teaches the Korean art forms of Tang Soo Do and Hapkido. This partnered program has been conducted for the past 20 years, imparting valuable knowledge on defense and escape tactics for potential victims of kidnapping, assault, and other dangers.
Masters Scott Summers and Sandy Lipstein led a few of the sessions, and student volunteers Isabelle Vogt, a freshman at Montgomery Community College, Pranavi Bhagavatula, a sophomore at Spring-Ford High School, and Arya Bhoir, an MHS senior, were among those who assisted with demonstrations and explanations.
Pranavi shares that teaching these skills is “very empowering, knowing that you’re helping people and making a change because these are real-life situations that could happen.”
The last session concluded with board-breaking. This was a physical application of a skill taught during class: a targeted strike to the nose using the base of the palm. This tactic was taught to escape from assaulters since the nose is tender due to its cartilage composition. Students gained confidence after breaking boards when they were informed that the nose is easier to break than the board.
After the session, a student shared her experience: “I am so grateful to Methacton for conducting such an important program. These skills are crucial to all women, especially those who will be traveling alone or even going off to college. This world is capable of posing threats anywhere at any time in any way, so being prepared to handle such situations can make the difference of life or death.”
