Learn How to Defend Yourself at Self-Defense Class with Nathan Pflughoeft
Since January, Nathan Pflughoeft has been hosting self-defense classes at Pink House Studio, located at 601 E. Wright St from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The classes are open to anyone but is targeted towards women.
Forearms help keep distance between you and the individual you’re trying to get away from. (Picture by Nyesha Stone)
Pflughoeft created the class out of anger because Brett Kavanaugh who was accused of sexual assaulting women was appointed to Supreme Court.
Instead of just being disappointed in the actions of others, he decided to give back by teaching simple techniques that could help individuals get away from a potential attack or danger.
His classes are not meant for competitive fighting, he said. Although he’s only teaching self-defense, Pflughoeft is equipped to do more.
“I’ve been doing martial arts all my life and I haven’t had many opportunities to give back,” said Pflughoeft about doing his self-defense classes.
Born and raised in Winona, MN, Pflughoeft has been doing Karate for 20 years, studied judo and jujitsu for five years, Aikido for a year and has been training in Tai chi for about a year now. He also wrestled from 8th grade through high school.
Pflughoeft got his love and interest for martial arts from his father who’s been doing Karate since the ‘70s.
Genbu-Kai Karate of Minnesota is the dojo they belong to.
He said martial arts has taught him the value of daily training.
“Every day I’m working on trying to improve myself,” he said. Pflughoeft also stated that martial arts has instilled in him the mindset of self-cultivation, which has helped him improve his guitaring skills, which he’s been doing for 13 years.
According to Nate, using one’s head is a good technique from stopping someone from taking you down. (Picture by Nyesha Stone)
Pflughoeft’s self-defense classes have $10 minimum but range to $20, it’s a pay what you can per class.
This isn’t Pflughoeft’s main source of income, so he’s not looking to expand this business just yet.
“I just want to get this information out to people who need it or want it,” he said.
Pflughoeft has a list of categories he wants to teach and he decides the day of the class what skills to work on in each of his categories.
Each class has warm up exercises, and the skills taught range from footwork to proper ways to fall.
“You’re going to use it more often and it’s a lot of people don’t know how to use it,” he said about the importance of learning how to fall.
He continued: “You can develop skills that can really keep you safe.”
Pflughoeft said he’s teaching stuff that’s of value and not just fluff.
To find out when Pflughoeft next self-defense class is, visit his Facebook page.