screenshot via ABC 29
Dozens of sorority sisters at the University of Virginia have learned how to defend themselves against a potential assault by learning some mixed martial arts skills.
According to a report from ABC 29, jiu-jitsu instructors from the famed Gracie Academy in Charlottesville taught sorority sisters at UVA various self-defense techniques during one of the sorority’s meetings on Sunday, October 14.
Instructors from the Gracie Academy said that these self-defense moves will make the women feel safer both on and off school grounds.
Shelby Still, one of the instructors who attended the sorority meeting, said of the training:
“When you train jiu-jitsu, and you say no — no means no. There is no gray area, you’re going to be able to disable that person who’s trying to attack you or being too pushy or whatever situation you’re in, you’re going to be able to tell them no, and no is going to mean no.”
The Gracie Academy, which will open its doors at its Charlottesville location on the corner of Seminole Trail in the next few weeks, said they are going to continue to host these type of workshops for sororities and interested business in the area.
The Gracie Academy is named after the Gracie family, a prominent martial arts family from Brazil known for their development of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Royce Gracie, a member of the Gracie family who is considered to be one of the most influential fighters in the history of mixed martial arts, was the tournament winner of UFC 1, UFC 2, and UFC 4.
