Pam LeBlanc learns self-defense techniques

Sunday, September 4, 2011 (updated on 9/04/2011 at 11:57 p.m.)

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Janell Smith, a black belt martial arts instructor, teaches students self-defense techniques at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Janell Smith, a black belt martial arts instructor, teaches students self-defense techniques at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Janell Smith, a black belt martial arts instructor, teaches students self-defense techniques at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Janell Smith, a black belt martial arts instructor, teaches students self-defense techniques at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Statesman FitCity reporter Pam LeBlanc struggles out of a hold by Charlee Koonce, 16, during a self-defense class taught by Janell Smith.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Janell Smith, a black belt martial arts instructor, teaches students self-defense techniques at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

(Left to right) Caela Pousson, 11, Lucy Morrison, 13, Cady Boyd, 15, and Christian Nevarez, 13, practice escape techniques during a self-defense class taught by Janell Smith at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Gabriella de Cardenas, 17, left, and Jonna Sosa, 17, right, practice escape techniques during a self-defense class taught by Janell Smith, a black belt martial arts instructor, at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin on August 26, 2011.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Gabriella de Cardenas, 17, top, and Jonna Sosa, 17, bottom, practice escape techniques during a self-defense class taught by Janell Smith, a black belt martial arts instructor, at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin on August 26, 2011.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Janell Smith, right, demonstrates an escape technique with Statesman Fit City reporter Pam LeBlanc, left, during a self-defense class at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Janell Smith, right, demonstrates an escape technique with Statesman Fit City reporter Pam LeBlanc, left, during a self-defense class at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Janell Smith, right, demonstrates an elbow jab on Statesman Fit City reporter Pam LeBlanc, left, during a self-defense class at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Janell Smith, right, demonstrates an elbow jab on Statesman Fit City reporter Pam LeBlanc, left, during a self-defense class at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

(Left to right) Aleta Neill, 13, Cady Boyd, 15, Lucy Morrison, 13, and Katie Knight, 14, practice an escape technique during a self-defense class taught by Janell Smith, a black belt martial arts instructor, at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Janell Smith, a black belt martial arts instructor, teaches students self-defense techniques at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Janell Smith, a black belt martial arts instructor, teaches students self-defense techniques at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Lucy Morrison, 13, center, raises her fists for a punching exercise during a self-defense class taught by Janell Smith, a black belt martial arts instructor, at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin on Friday August 26, 2011.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Janell Smith, a black belt martial arts instructor, teaches students self-defense techniques at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Janell Smith, a black belt martial arts instructor, teaches students self-defense techniques at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Aleta Neill, 13, center, raises her fists for a punching exercise during a self-defense class taught by Janell Smith, a black belt martial arts instructor, at the School for Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Austin on Friday August 26, 2011.

Story: Self-defense skills can help women avoid attack

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