A Florida woman who fought off an attacker at her apartment gym in a video that went viral is now using what she experienced to help others.Nashali Alma, who defended herself against the attacker in January, has partnered with a fitness studio in her area to provide free self-defense classes for women.”I was embracing it. I was very proud of it — just to be able to share my story — and like I said, to inspire others, speak up, fight back and never give up,” she told WFTS. Alma’s attacker, who was arrested the next day, has been charged with sexual battery, false imprisonment and kidnapping. Watch footage of Alma’s encounter with her attacker below:Jason Bleistein, a self-defense coach who will teach the class, provided a few tips that he’ll be touching on. He recommends yelling at the attacker to show your intent to fight back and draw attention to the situation. Bleistein also says an open-hand strike is more powerful than punching if you have to physically defend yourself.If you can, create enough space between you and the attacker to break free and run, which is what Alma did. “The video is proof in the pudding,” said Jordan Towns of YouFit Gym, which is hosting the free classes. “You know, you never think it’s going to happen to you. And then when it does, you just have to make sure that you know the proper ways to defend yourself.”
A Florida woman who fought off an attacker at her apartment gym in a video that went viral is now using what she experienced to help others.
Nashali Alma, who defended herself against the attacker in January, has partnered with a fitness studio in her area to provide free self-defense classes for women.
“I was embracing it. I was very proud of it — just to be able to share my story — and like I said, to inspire others, speak up, fight back and never give up,” she told WFTS.
Alma’s attacker, who was arrested the next day, has been charged with sexual battery, false imprisonment and kidnapping.
Watch footage of Alma’s encounter with her attacker below:
Jason Bleistein, a self-defense coach who will teach the class, provided a few tips that he’ll be touching on.
He recommends yelling at the attacker to show your intent to fight back and draw attention to the situation. Bleistein also says an open-hand strike is more powerful than punching if you have to physically defend yourself.
If you can, create enough space between you and the attacker to break free and run, which is what Alma did.
“The video is proof in the pudding,” said Jordan Towns of YouFit Gym, which is hosting the free classes. “You know, you never think it’s going to happen to you. And then when it does, you just have to make sure that you know the proper ways to defend yourself.”
