Kicking it in McCosh Park

MOSES LAKE — On Friday, Freewind Martial Arts held the third and final seminar of a three-part series in McCosh Park. According to Freewind Manager and Assistant Instructor Brandi Guertin, the seminars were a success.  

“I'm really happy about the success. Everybody that came got more than what we had anticipated them getting out of it, to witness the growth and the confidence; that's why we do this,” she said.  

Guertin said they had their third seminar in the park not just because the weather was nice, but also to add a more realistic element to self-defense. She said if someone is going to be attacked, it’s not likely to be in a martial arts studio. 

“It's going to be out in the real world, and you're going to have to encounter the ground, gravity, those things that happen naturally, and sometimes we're not prepared for those if we spend all of our time practicing and training in a controlled facility,” Guertin said.  

Throughout the week, not only did people new to the studio attend the seminars, current students of Freewind attended. Guertin said even her students can attend these seminars and learn something new.  

According to Guertin, the studio tries to lead their students to become teachers. They want students to have the ability to relay the material to someone else in a way that is understandable.  

“We've noticed quite a few of our students that came in. They were not able to really understand the concepts of martial arts and how to do the techniques,” Guertin said. “Then they come to seminars like this, and they help assist, and then they feel that confidence, and they can see how they've learned to a point where they can share that information and pass it on to someone else.” 

Leading most of the seminars this week was Guertin’s son, Jacob. The two work closely together at Freewind to teach classes across different age groups. She said they have always had a strong bond, but working together at Freewind has brought them even closer. 

“To be able to have that trust between sparring partners and training partners. It really builds that bond and makes it stronger,” she said. “We learn from each other and it's a lot of fun. I know that he can go out in this world, and he can protect himself, and him as a son, knows that his mom can go to the grocery store and he doesn't have to worry that she'll be unable to protect herself.” 

Brandi complimented Jacob for his ability to be a leader and instruct a group of people. She said he does a good job of leading by example in and out of the studio.  

“He knows how to turn on that switch of ‘I'm instructor now, and I want my students to learn from me.’ If he doesn't feel that they're learning from him, he'll change his curriculum so that they feel more engaged, so that they get more out of it,” she said.  

In addition to the seminars, Brandi said she hopes to hold more events that welcome community engagement. For instance, next week, Freewind will start its summer camp program. It’s a two-week program that gives students the certification they need for classes in the fall. For those that are interested in attending, more information can be found on their Facebook, Instagram or their website: www.freewindmartialarts.com.  

“Freewind is always doing stuff to get the word out there, to spread good news, spread positivity and get the community involved. We like to help our community give back as much as we can, because we get so much support from them,” Brandi said.  

    Freewind Martial Arts student Matthias Kalmbach, left, works through strike combinations with instructor Jacob Guertin, right. Freewind held the third seminar of a three-part series in McCosh Park on Friday.
  

    Freewind Martial Arts instructor Jacob Guertin, right, helps Ethan Young, left, with striking during Friday’s seminar. Guertin said he likes to adjust his teaching style to everyone’s learning style.
  

    Jacob Guertin helps a young student work through his striking combinations. Assistant instructor Brandi Guertin said learning martial arts can help build confidence in students.
  

    Jacob Guertin demonstrates different stances to his students during the Freewind Martial Arts seminar in McCosh Park. Assistant instructor Brandi Guertin said they held the seminar in the park to help them practice real world scenarios.
  

    Two students practice striking techniques with the help of Jacob Guertin. Guertin said the goal is for students to know how to defend themselves if they were ever attacked.
  

    Jacob Guertin, Freewind Martial Arts, demonstrates to his students how to safely form a fist. Guertin led students in a striking seminar on Friday in McCosh Park.