Jamie Steele, founder and owner of Steele Bodies Personalized Training, located at 4037 Governor Drive, has brought home his experience from developing a rape intervention program for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. He recently began a self defense class for women at his own facility, which emphasizes awareness, avoidance and situational defense techniques and utilizes karate and street-fighting applications. “The class was developed to provide women with a simple and very effective way to defend themselves,” said Steele, who has taught martial arts and self-defense karate for more than 25 years. “It is based on rape prevention and all types of assault prevention.” The program begins with a lecture on “avoidance and awareness,” which addresses avoiding dangerous situations, being aware of surroundings and degree of threat, and knowing when to defend and when not to defend. Some of the simple defense techniques include basic hand, fist, palm, elbow and forearm kicks, as well as escape mechanisms against bear hugs, choke holds, wrist grabs, arm locks and hold-downs. The basic techniques enable women — from pre-teen to adult — to defend against a potential attack. “We teach women that they are much more empowered than they may think, and provide them with the knowledge and techniques to defend themselves if necessary,” Steele said. For more information or to reserve a spot in the class, call (858) 457-5775. Classes are limited to 10 enrollees and take place Tuesdays through Saturdays in the afternoons or evenings.