Women worried about their safety and interested in learning new techniques to protect themselves can register for a new seminar.

The YMCA is sponsoring a women’s self-defense seminar on Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the YMCA, 2500 W. Bethany Road.

YMCA Fitness Director Sue Zurbuch said the class is concentrating on two areas of self-defense.

“The first area of defense will concentrate on identifying and avoiding dangerous situations,” she said. Some of these situations, she said, include different types of rape crimes. She said that throughout the program, instructors will try to educate the participants on how criminals operate.

The second area that the seminar will explore is actual physical self-defense. She said, “(Participants) will be taught to use everything from a pencil to a purse in defending themselves.”

Participants will be taught some basic karate techniques and will be able to practice punching and kicking moves with the black belt instructors, Zurbuch said.

They also will be taught different types of defense holds and the use of the element of surprise if they are attacked.

Zurbuch said, “The class is aimed at all women, but especially young women out in the world for the first time.” She said the class is “very worthwhile” for women concerned with security issues.

The class has no fee and is open to both members and non-members of the YMCA. Zurbach said interested women should call the YMCA at 756_9577 and register ahead of time.