Irvine’s High School Youth Action Team (HSYAT) hosted its annual Galentine’s Female Empowerment Day on Feb. 8. The event consisted of various workshops for female students to build community, including a martial arts workshop hosted by the Martial Arts Student Association (MASA).
MASA’s goal in hosting a self-defense workshop was to empower students with practical self-defense skills while also sharing the cultural and philosophical background behind martial arts, according to MASA co-founder and junior Nimishii Sharma.
“Martial arts is often portrayed as violent, but it is actually about discipline, respect and self-control, and we really wanted to show that side of it,” Sharma said. “We wanted the girls to leave feeling more confident and capable, not just physically but mentally.”
During the workshop, MASA taught basic self-defense techniques such as a simple yet highly functional and effective grab escape. The team also walked through the three universal martial arts techniques: a high block, a low block and a basic chest punch. Participants were able to practice their techniques with a partner and break wooden boards with the punches they learned.
Junior Anusha Jauhri, a Portola High YAT representative, introduced the idea of hosting this event. Jauhri said that her goal in collaborating with MASA for this event was to promote female empowerment and leadership through MASA’s purpose of protecting oneself through martial arts.
“That’s what [Galentine’s] is all about, woman empowerment,” Jauhri said. “So MASA’s purpose was to show that you can protect yourself without needing to be afraid. It’s very empowering, because now you know that you can stand up against different situations you face in your life.”
The workshop served as an opportunity to advocate for martial arts, especially female martial artists, who are often underrepresented in sports, according to MASA executive board member and junior Irene Kim. By the end of the workshop, many participants talked about how they felt much more confident in their own bodies.
“At the end of our event, I remember all the executive board members coming together and talking about the event in a really positive way,” Kim said. “We were touched by this workshop just as much as the girls that attended that day, and it really motivated us to keep doing what we do.”
MASA and HSYAT are partnering again at the HSYAT Teen Summit on March 7, where they will showcase their martial arts skills in a similar workshop.
