Document text
1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Is a Welcome Center a good idea? Music on the Mountain: Ski area launching concert series Police looking for possible additional victims in Ashland rape cases Bee college takes to the air Police Reports Education Bee college takes to the air Grizzlies shine at Eugene speech tourney Ashland High School named among best in the state High school Student of the Month: Jackson Richmond Senior party fundraising starts Environment The birdman of Bellview Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday Mt. Ashland Ski Area celebrates snow GMO opponents can join Jackson County in defending ban Business Ride & Drive: 2015 Audi R8 Locally grown businesses bid for micro-investor attention Ride & Drive: 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Seed donation helps grow SOU program Local home brewing scene continues to ferment Politics and elections Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out today Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Successor Kate Brown must run for election in 2016 Sadness, relief greet Kitzhaber resignation locally State News Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Federal investigation of Kitzhaber to focus on potential financial crimes Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Read Gov. John Kitzhaber's statement on his resignation Legislative leaders join in call for Kitzhaber resignation (updated) Nation - World Leonard Nimoy, famous as Mr. Spock on 'Star Trek,' dies Obituaries Death Notices Rita Launa Stitt Rev. James Gillmore Leovy Death Notices Mary Ann (Schuler) Hill Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Owls stun No. 8 Raiders Blazers overcome Westbrook's triple-double, rally past Thunder Roles reversed for SOU-OIT matchup Norvell goes from newbie to state favorite Raiders survive High school Owls stun No. 8 Raiders Norvell goes from newbie to state favorite Grizz boys fend off Eagles, earn second straight win Malcolm's big night powers Ashland past N. Eugene Grizzlies suffer another tough loss; SOU softball team sweeps BC Southern Oregon University Owls stun No. 8 Raiders Roles reversed for SOU-OIT matchup Raiders survive Raiders roll into CCC semis A man among boys Voices Latest Stories Herb Rothschild: What to do about ISIS? Granlund cartoon: Leonard Nimoy dies Our View: A growing concern Jeffrey Gillespie: Generation Y and the baby boomers Our View: A change of scenery Editorial Our View: A growing concern Our View: A change of scenery Our View: Pot tax fairness Our View: Cellular dissonance Our View: Keep pot programs separate Letters Letters to the Editor, Feb. 25 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 24 Feb. 20: Letters at length Feb. 18: Letters to the editor Letters to the Editor, Feb. 14 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Growth carries risks Guest Opinion: Legal poisons in our waters Chris Honoré: Public schools: separate, still unequal Guest Opinion: Why so anxious to tax marijuana? Herb Rothschild Jr.: A good day for peace Columns Herb Rothschild: What to do about ISIS? Jeffrey Gillespie: Generation Y and the baby boomers Changes in latitude Michelle Teheux: Will we keep heading down the wrong path? Guest Opinion: Growth carries risks Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Community blog: Writers, submit HAPA plays the Historic Ashland Armory Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' 'Mr. Turner' paints an intense portrait Theater SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' Ticket Availability SOU's 'The Glass Menagerie' is memory — and memorable Ticket Availability Joyous re-launch of 'Dames at Sea' Music Music on the Mountain: Ski area launching concert series Victor D. Infante: Just in time for Valentine’s Day, some favorite breakup songs The Farr Side: Smith dominates, Beck surprises at Grammys Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Movies Movie review: ‘Lazarus Effect’ should have been buried Movie review: Don’t ‘Focus’ on the problems and you’ll enjoy this Neill Blomkamp discusses his new film, ‘Chappie’ Quick Flicks: ‘Jupiter Ascending,’ ‘50 Shades of Grey’ Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas Food and Drink Sammich does it Chicago-style Where do Ashland’s top chefs go to dine? Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Mourning a teacher, treasuring the threads he wove Community Blog: You Are IT Ride & Drive: 2015 Audi R8 Health Watch: Sticking to your health plan when your family isn’t helping Joanna McQuillan Weeks: Cheeseburger pie is the perfect winter comfort food Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Herb Rothschild: What to do about ISIS? ... Music on the Mountain: Ski area launching concert series ... Police looking for possible additional victims in Ashland rape cases ... Herb Rothschild: What to do about ISIS? ... Music on the Mountain: Ski area launching concert series ... Police looking for possible additional victims in Ashland rape cases ... QUILLS & QUEUES Teen girls learn to fight back Comment By Angela Decker For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted Feb. 26, 2015 at 7:12 PM Updated Feb 26, 2015 at 7:17 PM By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted Feb. 26, 2015 at 7:12 PM Updated Feb 26, 2015 at 7:17 PM » Social News Some of the girls in Tyler Boyce’s class are reluctant to punch him, and that’s a problem he aims to fix. Boyce, who teaches self-defense at Ashland’s Flipside Studio, says reticence to hit is natural. “It’s so awkward to hit someone,” he said. “I have the kids move out of their comfort zone and hit me so they can break that barrier. It’s empowering.” Flipside, located in the former Briscoe school building, is a cooperative group of instructors and coaches who offer a variety of movement and fitness classes for kids and adults. Flipside is owned by Tamara Smith and Tracy John, both mothers with backgrounds in gymnastics and education. Classes include gymnastics, tumbling, yoga, capoeira, art and now self-defense. “Part of our mission is to empower young people and self-defense is a natural fit. This is knowledge everyone should have,” said Tamara Smith. “When a couple people from our church expressed an interest in self-defense classes, Tracy and I thought it was a great idea. The hardest part was finding an instructor who fit with our needs. Tyler is ideal. We didn't want a teacher that was all about kicks to the groin, we wanted someone who would focus on empowering kids and not introduce fear,” Smith said. “He’s also still young enough to connect with kids and relate to what they are going through at this age,” she added. Boyce, 27, is a double black belt in Kenpo with extensive training in Kung Fu and kickboxing. He also teaches Parkour, an activity involving moving very quickly through an area negotiating obstacles by jumping, climbing or running. Boyce started his martial-arts training early with his father, who is also a martial artist. “The self-defense techniques I like to share are just as much about avoiding unsafe situations as getting out of them,” Boyce said. He reminds students that awareness is the key to keeping safe, and their goal in an unsafe situation is to get away from the attacker or attackers. “When you are out in the world, you need to be aware of your surroundings and other people’s energy. Keep your eyes open and trust your gut,” said Boyce. When avoidance doesn't work, he instructs them on how to attack or escape. For example, if an attacker is wearing a jacket with a hood and is particularly close, yank the hood down over his eyes, kick him and run away. The monthly class for teen girls and women is mostly comprised of mothers and daughters. Emily Cartmell, age 15, says she appreciated the class a lot. “Tyler is a great teacher and I really feel like if I were in a situation, this instruction would come to mind.” Kristine Case, who was taking the class with her daughter, says all girls would benefit from Boyce’s class. “It’s a scary and complicated world we live in, and I think it’s great to have these skills, especially for teenage girls as they start to become more independent.” Tracy John notes that the class offers important lessons in a low-crime community like Ashland. “Our girls are soft. My daughter apologized when she hit Tyler. We don't want to scare our children but we also want them to be safe,” she said. Boyce agrees that it is easy to be complacent. “I tell girls that awareness is the key. If you are aware of the things that could cause you injury or harm and you avoid those things the best you possibly can, that will give you the best outcome for protecting yourself. With moms, I say the same thing, but mothers are the most aware people in the world,” he said, adding jokingly, “You don’t mess with the mama bear.” Monthly self-defense classes for girls, women, and families will resume in April. For more information, call 541-600-4386 or visit www.FlipSideAshland.com. Flipside Studios is at 265 N. Main Street, Nos. 5 and 6. Reach Ashland freelance writer Angela Decker at [email protected].   By Angela Decker For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted Feb. 26, 2015 at 7:12 PM Updated Feb 26, 2015 at 7:17 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501