Mason women learn self-defense from Bedford Martial Arts instructor

Women from Mason and the surrounding area had the opportunity to learn self-defense techniques from instructor John Stewart at Mason Elementary School on Thursday night.

Proceeds for the event, which was hosted by Bedford Martial Arts Academy and the Bedford Police Department, went to Jasmine Grace Outreach, an organization that provides support to women who are victims of drug addiction and sex trafficking in the Greater Boston area.

Stewart, the owner of Bedford Martial Arts, went over several basic self-defense moves based on common attacks to the arm, neck and from behind.

Mason Police Department administrative assistant Linda Hernandez, who helped organize the event, said the session was just the first in a planned series of community outreach programs between the department and other local businesses. After attending an event hosted by Jasmine Grace Outreach, Hernandez thought a women’s self-defense class would be a great way to kick off the outreach effort and raise money for an important cause.

While future programs will cover a variety of different topics, Hernandez said, “I do plan on having more self-defense classes in the future. I definitely think there is an interest – men, women, teens.”

Information about upcoming events is available on the Mason Police Department Facebook page.