Press release West Seattle's Lisa Skvarla, organization chair, AWSDA (Association for Women's Self Defense Advancement) READ ABOUT HER IN THE WEST SEATTLE HERALD HERE:

Self Defense and Rape Prevention the Theme of AWSDA 2011 Training Symposium

AWSDA (Association for Women's Self Defense Advancement) is holding its self-defense training symposium in Newtown , Pennsylvania , November 4-6, 2011. A.W.S.D.A is an international, non-profit (501-c), educational organization, dedicate to ending violence against woman by providing training programs for instructors and a variety of services for women, all of which is designed to increase education about self defense and rape prevention.

The organization chair, Lisa Skvarla, a local West Seattle resident, has been a member of AWSDA since 2004. "I am very excited about this symposium," Skvarla says. "We have exceptional instructors who will be at the conference and the classes will be extremely beneficial to the participants."

Classes include Home Invasion, Psychological First Aid, Ground Fighting and Get Your Head in the Game-Training the Subconscious Mind for that Crisis Encounter. In addition, a day long class for instructors will provide certification in rape prevention and a six-hour hands-on course will focus on "gun education" at a shooting range. Instructors come from various backgrounds having worked on SWAT teams, as martial artists, in special agent forces, military and police.

In addition to the three-day training, attendees can attend a networking event and dinner, which will include teachers and members from the community who want to become involved with AWSDA. Debbie Puglisi Sharp is the guest speaker. Sharp is an inspirational speaker and author and has appeared on Oprah, 20/20, Montel, The John Walsh Show, A&E Biography and most recently on Discovery Health. Her book “Shattered: Reclaiming a Life Torn Apart by Violence” was published in 2003.

Skvarla is a professional actor and stuntwoman. She has a special connection to Debbie Puglisi Sharp, having played her on a Discovery Health TV Special, ”The Worst Thing That Ever Happened to Me".

"I had the opportunity to read her book Shattered and all her transcripts on the violent encounter," Skvarla says. "Her story is both horrifying and inspiring. To walk in her shoes even as an actor in a safe environment was unnerving. It is an honor to have her as a guest speaker for AWSDA."

Those who become AWSDA members automatically receive a subscription to the highly acclaimed and informative newsletter, "The Fisted Rose." The quarterly newsletter informs readers of training organizations, upcoming events, corporate sponsorship promotions, and includes various self-defense-related articles. Members also receive discounts on the annual hands-on and lecture training seminar. Moreover, AWSDA allows members to take an active role in their organization by offering committee and regional representative openings.

For those who are interested in becoming a member, giving a donation, or attending the symposium, go to AWSDA.org for more information, or contact Lisa Skvarla at 206-938-3375.