Attendees at the Strong Women self defense class held in September. Classes are held at 6 p.m. on the third Friday of every month, with the next class scheduled for Friday, January 17. (Photo from The Place Facebook page)

NORWICH — The next Strong Women self defense class will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, January 17 in the Norwich High School Cafeteria, located at 89 Midland Drive in Norwich.

The class is free and open to Chenango County women and girls aged 14 years and older. To register, contact The Place at 607-336-9696.

"It’s about building up self esteem and confidence, and once women have that they’re able to defend themselves," explained The Place Executive Director Sharon Vesely.

The class is taught by Oneonta Jiu Jitsu Academy Instructors Heather Knapp and Christine Gould, and utilizes the grappling style of jiu jitsu to teach valuable self defense strategies.

"Jiu jitsu, it’s a grappling martial art, so these are things you can do in close range when somebody is grabbing you," said Oneonta Jiu Jitsu Academy Owner Wyatt Green. "I think most women who are dealing with an assault are going to be dealing with a situation where somebody is grabbing them and trying to do something. So that brings it to jiu jitsu right away, and of course, that’s a threat that a lot of women unfortunately may have to deal with at some point in their life."