Impact Martial Arts hosting anti-bullying class

Published 12:46 pm Wednesday, June 6, 2018

By J.R. Tidwell / Editor

Impact Martial Arts will soon begin hosting a free bully self-defense program at the YMCA of Chilton County.

The program will run for 12 weeks starting on June 19 and running through Sept. 4. “[The class] will be held every Tuesday at 5:45 p.m. and will last about 45 minutes per session,” said Sean Gilham, the head instructor for Impact. “We are aiming for elementary to high school age students. It’s a program for the community to help against physical and emotional bullying.”

Gilham said this is Impact’s third year holding the program.

According to a flyer for the event, “Participants will learn how to use strategies that make them winners by remaining calm, kind and consistent. Also, learn the importance to develop resilience, (emotional) maturity and positive social skills. 1 in 3 kids are physically attacked by the age of 18, so it’s not ‘if’ it happens but ‘when’ it happens we want to be prepared.”

Anyone wanting to reserve a spot in the class may do so online at ClantonMartialArts.com or by calling (205) 266-0732.

“With the increase in bullying, we want to educate kids on what it is and how to deal with it without letting their emotions get the best of them,” Gilham said. “We are looking to inspire the kids, and this also gives them another source to talk about what they are going through.”