'It teaches confidence': Jiu-Jitsu class shows women how to defend themselves

FRANKLIN — Laying it all out on the mat is nothing new at the Franklin Jiu Jitsu Club, but on Wednesday nights things look a little different — it’s all about the ladies.

"We wanted a space where women could come in and just train with other women and dip their toes into martial arts,” said Felecia Bain, a federal law enforcement agent who started GirlsCave women’s Jiu-Jitsu self-defense classes.

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Katie Ray and Sarah Zeilinga are members of the club who’ve been coming to GirlsCave classes since they started a year ago.

Both have kids who train in Jiu-Jitsu but didn’t see themselves practicing the form of martial arts until they joined the women's self-defense classes.

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"Once you get to do it yourself and in the environment that's so welcoming. It's just a different world when you get it to experience it with other women,” said Ray.

"Starting off in a women's only class just gives you that comfortability and the family feel and gives you the confidence to then join other classes,” added Zeilinga.

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Zeilinga has since joined co-ed classes and trains alongside her husband, who’s a Black belt.

Bain is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt herself and subject matter expert in de-escalation, all levels of force response, and the legalities of self-defense.

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She started the club after seeing a need for women to have a safe space to learn both the practice and self-defense.

"They're getting both sides — the sports part of it for the ones that are really interested in that and also the self-defense aspect,” Bain explained. "It allows me to give that information to the officers that I train or to the girls who come through or whoever it may be that I have the audience of."

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The women’s program has welcomed more than 45 ladies in the class since it started.

Although learning how to defend themselves and their families is a big goal of the women’s club, Bain told WRTV it’s about more than that.

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"It gives you a better sense of self-confidence knowing that you can come in and do something new,” said Zeilinga.

The ladies also say the classes help with mental health, stress, and building confidence.

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"I just feel good in my skin, mentally I feel great, and I can owe it to this class,” said Ray.

"It teaches them self-discipline, it teaches them confidence, and how to remain calm under stress and I think those are the really valuable things they can take away,” added Bain.

The Franklin Jiu Jitsu Club will be holding a self-defense seminar next Saturday July 27 from 9 am until 12 pm.

All proceeds will go toward Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Females high-school aged and older can sign up for the class.