'Jedi' training helps children defend themselves

Of all the things children could do in the Lowcountry on a Saturday morning, one large group chose to play with lightsabers recently.

The result was adorable, hilarious and touching mayhem.

Nearly 40 children came to Star Wars Jedi Training at the Charleston Krav Maga studio in West Ashley to learn basic mixed martial arts moves and Krav Maga.

While Krav Maga has roots in the martial arts, it differs in training and technique. Krav Maga encourages self-defense techniques under disadvantaged positions and worst-case scenarios, such as being pinned down or in danger. There are moves that teach you to defend yourself against multiple opponents when sick or dizzy or when you are trying to protect another person.

Before the children got to fight Darth Vader, studio owner Matt Robinson coached them on the psychology of bullies and kidnappers and how to defend themselves.

"Their strength is that they know it bothers you, so if you ignore them, that can help," he said about bullies.

Despite the Krav Maga class' similarity to karate and other fight techniques, Robinson encourages children, especially younger ones, to avoid combat as a first option. He wants them to be able to twist themselves out of dangerous situations and get away.

"We don't want to get into the idea that, 'If a bully hits me, I'll hit them back.' I want my first line of defense to be to get away from the bully," he said.

He also wants them to trust their instincts when they feel something isn't quite right.

Robinson works with local organizations such as Darkness to Light and People Against Rape. "If we reduce rape and abuse of kids, then they don't have to use those services," he said.

Robinson's Star Wars Jedi Training targeted ages 6-13, but he allowed a few 4- and 5-year-olds.

Michael Allen Martin turned 4 the day of the Jedi training, and he asked to go as part of his birthday present.

"At first, he said he wanted to go home and he missed the dog," said Michael's father, John Martin. "But I can tell he's really warming up to it now."

"And he loves 'Star Wars,' " added his mother, Caroline Martin.

The children were eager to get to the fun part.

While lightsabers don't generally play a part in providing self-defense, they added a fun touch to the session and generated comments akin to what you'd hear on "Kids Say the Darndest Things."

For instance, when Robinson asked his charges what the characters in "Star Wars" do with lightsabers, one child quickly piped up, "They slice people's arms off!"

Once the lights were turned off and the lightsabers were turned on, the kids started screaming and giggling. Each got to practice his block-and-strike techniques with Darth Vader.

Robinson and his instructors hope the class showed children and their parents that Krav Maga could be valuable to them.

"It's a good lesson to learn," Caroline Martin said. "A lot of times, (children) will listen to other people more than their parents."