At first glance, Barbara Frentsos Butler is not very intimidating. Standing at just 4 feet, 9 inches, the 100-pound woman has a welcoming smile and a soft handshake.
But threaten this senior citizen, and you’ll likely find yourself on the flat of your back.
Barbara Frentsos Butler is a black belt in Akido, a form of self-defense meant to disarm and redirect an attacker. At first glance the lady is not very intimidating standing at 4 feet, 9 inches and 100 pounds.
The Mansfield woman has no problem tossing around 6-foot-tall burly men who are twice her size. In fact, she’s proven it repeatedly during testing to advance up the martial arts belt line.
Recently, her 18 years of experience learning and teaching the art form has led her to write a book.
“Aikido for Women: The Underlying Principles and Why Women Have the Advantage” was published by Dorrance Publishing Co. Inc. and is available online.
The book is meant to encourage women to learn to defend themselves, regardless of their age or size, Butler said. It also breaks down common misconceptions that men are better at defending themselves. She argues women actually have an advantage in a fight.
Read more at: www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com
Discussion about this post