Grandmother with black belt teaches women self-defense

Workshop will be at Acworth Community Center on April 23.

Can you tell me about the women’s self-defense workshop at Acworth’s Community Center in April?

You are asking about the R.E.D. F.L.A.G. class for females ages 16 and up that will actively teach self-defense moves based on mar- tial art techniques.

The instructor for this class, (Master) Beverly S. Busker, received her black belt in 1990 and became certified as a self-defense instructor five years later.

R.E.D. F.L.A.G. stands for

Ready Educated Determined to Fight Like a Girl, according to Busker.

“In this class, we get after it. It’s all about how to get away from this attack, from that attack ... not getting to that second location. Certain things to remember,” she said. “I try to make it fun. We laugh and keep it light, but what they learn is really good.

“It’s not weapons. This is just when you’re totally caught off guard ... getting away from someone when you are grabbed or how to stop an attack even before it happens.”

Those expecting to see a tough, athletic-looking woman get a shock when they arrive for class, the 66-year-old grandma said.

Basic moves using leverage and body weight are taught: easy to grasp and gentle on the body.

“For example, we use a palm to strike rather than a fist to punch because most women aren’t conditioned, and it could hurt their hand and wrist,” Busker stated. “We kick using target areas, such as knees, which are easy to disable, and the technique doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective.

“We also incorporate breaks from holds. We have some very effective moves that get you out of a grab, whether it be your wrist, your neck, from behind or a front grab.”

She even tells participants how to run if the attacker has a gun. She tells them to run in a zigzag fashion, not straight.

“I had the pleasure of taking the self-defense class with Beverly Busker. She is a great teacher and has a wealth of experience,” wrote former student Barbara Teague. “I hope that I never have to use what I learned, but if I do, I am well prepared.”

This workshop will take place at the Acworth Community Center on April 23 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The price of this workshop is $25 for city of Acworth residents and $30 for nonresidents. Wear comfortable clothing.

Registration and additional information are available at acworthparksandrecreation. org.

R.E.D. F.L.A.G. women’s self-defense class educates and empowers females. Here, instructor (Master) Beverly Busker holds the air shield as student Evelyn Fachler delivers a front defense kick.