Defense Mechanics keeps women prepared, safe, strong

SHARON — Joel Minton, Kitty Visconti and her son, Brad Visconti, are on a mission to train women in self-defense.

The three Sharon residents hold their Defense Mechanics programs at the Berkshire Judo Dojo, located at 15 Academy St. in Salisbury.

The program trains women not only to defend themselves if and when the time comes, but also to be prepared mentally and psychologically.

“It takes more than just physical action to get out of sticky situations,†Minton said. “It also takes psychological self-protection. At the beginning of the class, we show a multimedia presentation that includes interviews of serial rapists on college campuses. In it, you see what kind of techniques and activities they use on their victims. We also talk about predator behavior and examine their mindset, which shows how they choose their victims.â€

Afterward, the class uses role playing to act out situations in which they can see how their behavior could make them a target for victimization.

From there, students learn about basic physical self-defense techniques by  literally practicing those techniques on Minton or Brad Visconti.

Both of them wear special padded suits that allow the student to hit and kick them.

“You can learn any martial arts maneuver, but if you don’t learn how to use it under pressure, it won’t be effective,†Minton said. “We also train women how to use their body effectively in self-defense. Most martial arts are geared toward men. We train women to utilize their best strengths, including their lower body, which is much stronger than a man’s body.â€

Kitty Visconti said she would love to see more students in their classes.

“As a woman, I feel pride when I see a woman succeed in basic techniques,†Kitty Visconti said. “I feel great when I see them complete the class and see them truly empowered and much more confident. I’m trying to convince more women to take the classes, although some young women say they have a boyfriend who protects them or that it doesn’t happen around here.â€

“The ‘doesn’t happen around here’ excuse is not valid because attacks on women happen all the time. You just don’t hear about it,†Minton said.

Currently, classes for two different age groups are being held, one for 12- to 17-year-olds and another for 18 and up.

However, Kitty Visconti and Minton said they might hold more classes in the future, including classes for teenage boys.For more information, contact Defense Mechanics at 860-318-6071 or visit the Web site at defensemechanics.com.

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