IMPACT Boston blog

The Value of a Strong Voice

My success story is very simple.  I took the Basics course in 1992 and  then reviewed it several years later. Ever since training with IMPACT  I have always been able to either defuse  potentially violent circumstances, prevent people from causing me harm  and/or avoid conflicts using nothing more than the verbal aspects of the training program.  I learned that it's important to keep calm and centered and through this I have found that in a situation where violent behavior is happening or could erupt I can usually stay calm enough to be observant of what is unfolding around me so that I can respond in the right way.  While I value the physical techniques that I learned as well, the verbal and psychological techniques are the ones that have really paid off over the years.

My thanks and best wishes to everyone at IMPACT!

Beth W., Women's Basics Graduate

Middle School Class graduate Jasmine Taylor shares her experience

I learned very good physical self-defense techniques – more than just talking – and also, the right way to scream for help.

I already knew what to do if you got separated from your parents or not to go off with strangers. But what if you didn’t have a choice? What if you were really in a tight spot? That’s what I learned at IMPACT.

I really like the way the guys that you have to defend yourself against (in the class) put on a very friendly, fun-loving image. They didn’t seem intimidating in any way. That helped me feel more confident. Like you didn’t really HAVE to protect yourself, but they were going to help you out.

I feel better now that I know these different techniques that could be useful.

I would take the class again. It was a nice experience

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During the roleplays, it took a while to remember to relax and breathe. Mostly I felt a little bit awkward when I had to get physical. There were certain steps I kept forgetting. But I got it in the end.

Graduate of IMPACT Middle School Girls Class Shares Her Experience

Last Spring I walked into an IMPACT class for girls. Despite my mother's "fond memories" of her experience with IMPACT, I was doubtful. How in the world was anybody going to be able to teach a group of girls how to defend themselves in just a total of eight hours? And yet they managed to do it, and do it pretty well, too.

The instructors started off the day by introducing themselves, and telling us why they chose to participate in this. Then one of them led warm-ups while the others got ready. I have to say, even though it was a serious matter, the minute those men walked out of those doors wearing all that padding, we all cracked up. They looked exceptionally strange in the helmets in particular-a mix of elephant and alien and, well, duct-tape!

Once we gained control of our laughter, the instructors explained to us how when they where in these special "armor"; we couldn't actually hurt them, no matter how hard we hit them. We started off by learning the basic techniques, and gradually it got more complicated (but never so much so that we where in over our heads). Apart from physical defense, we learned verbal defense and how to set and maintain personal boundaries. Over all, this experience was extremely empowering, and would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone!

Middle School Girl, Age 12

Using IMPACT Skills in Downtown Boston

 

I was walking on Boylston Street next to Boston Common, on my way to the Park Street T after work, around 4 pm, when all of a sudden a man was approaching me. I was surprised because it was daylight and there were a lot of people around.

I don't remember what he said except that it was degrading and he was trying to get me to go with him. When he entered my physical space I could feel it in my body. I felt the adrenaline run through me and I had trouble catching my breath but without thought my hands went up in "stop sign" and I said, "Listen, I'm NOT interested, please leave me ALONE!" ...and he went away! I was surprised that was all it took - my voice, one firm sentence, nothing else.

As I walked away I saw many of the people from my IMPACT class in my mind's eye, remembering our practice drills. I also heard my instructor's coaching.

I have to say I never thought the instinctive component they tell us at IMPACT would really be true, but it was. I know if the guy had not backed off I would have known exactly what to do without thinking about it.

Tracey S., IMPACT Women's Basics Graduate