When it comes to empowering women, West Seattle's Lisa Skvarla not only talks the talk and walks the walk, she kicks the kick. She co-owns Lee's Martial Arts Academy, a 3,000 square foot gymnasium equipped with an array of punching and kicking bags and safety equipment, upstairs at 3270A California Ave. SW.

A third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, Skvarla teaches classes in Tae Kwon Do to families, and individual children and adults. She also teaches aerobic kickboxing, women’s and kids' self defense, and anti-bullying and rape prevention. She was recently named Chairperson for AWSDA, Association for Women's Self Defense Advancement with nearly 600 members internationally. One might say her persona somewhat reflects Jekyll and Hyde as she seems to have a sweet and gentle way, but, get her near a punching bag and her face tightens as she grits her teeth, boxes and kicks with controlled rage.

She became a student at Lee's in 1989, and while she teaches at Lafayette Grade School down the street, as well at Seattle Prep, Blanchet and Holy Names Academy, and the UW, she is still a student, too. Next month Skvarla will attend the Modern Warrior School in New York City founded by self defense icon and former NYPD Sergeant Phil Messina as part of her AWSDA program. As she describes it, students are placed inside movie set-like simulators.

"Modern Warrior puts you in rain, fog, the dark, and has you fighting in close quarters like airplane aisles," she said with enthusiasm.

Skvarla believes that by teaching anti-bullying tactics to young children, and by teaching bullies that they can't get away with it, this can potentially interrupt a cycle of abuse as young bullies may become future abusive men toward women.

"A lot of times they keep it to themselves," she said of bullied kids. "Tell your parents, teacher, and don't keep quiet thinking it's your fault. Stand up to them. If you see someone else get bullied, if you're witnessing it, it is your responsibility to confront them or tell a teacher. When you get older these wounds could be with you a long time.

"In my kids self-defense class, I show a film, then invite older students in to help guide them and do role playing," she said. "You can talk a kid's ear off and they don't get it, but when you put them in a situation they learn what to do.

"Martial arts gives confidence, and you learn to defend a punch," she said."Fighting back is a tactic, but if you can prevent being in a situation in the first place, that's also helpful. I call it 'tongue-fooy' which means verbal de-escalation."

Skvarta is quick to point out one misnomer about child safety, as she sees it.

"If a kid gets lost in public, like in a mall, go to a mother with children, not to a police officer or security guard or information guy," she advised. "A mother with children is your safest bet. Stick to them like Velcro. They will help you. They understand the importance of children and how they need to be cared for. The mother will take you with her and make the phone calls and has your best intentions in mind."

Regarding women defending themselves against male predators, Skvarta believes it is not how big you are that determines your ability to get free.

"Definitely small women can fight back," she said. "It's about vision, wind (breath), and limbs, striking and how to do it. If you are in a position of being assaulted you have to fight back. Eighty-percent of women who fight back do not get raped. Men are upper-body animals, but women have the advantage of lower body strength, on the ground, 'ground fighting', using our legs. Men don't want a black eye, or their face gouged. They pick on the ones who they think are quiet and appear weak and vulnerable.

"I inform girls from college about GHB (used for drug-facilitated rape) or 'slipping a mickey'. Girls, if you are at a bar and if a guy wants to buy you a drink, by all means let him, but go up to the bar with him. Watch the bartender make your drink. Go to the bathroom with your drink."

She said she has been shocked by visiting certain university sorority and fraternity houses and learned the following disappointing news while lecturing there.

"In colleges alone, one in seven women will be raped, but only one in ten will be reported. I have learned that colleges discourage reporting rape, and may say it's your word against his. It's bad press for the college, too.

"Prevention is what I focus on and there are so many warning signs," she said. "I educate women on the red flags, awareness of your surroundings, and help with your confidence. The impression you should be putting out is, 'Don't even try it'. Turn from prey to predator. It's amazing how it works."

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