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GLASTONBURY, Conn. The chance of encountering a physical assault is relatively low. According to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2005 for every 1,000 persons 12 and over there were approximately 13.5 assaults. Statistics indicate one out of three women will be assaulted in her lifetime. Surprisingly, few are prepared for such an attack.

Sacred Rivers Yoga Center is teaming up with Billy Maag and his bkm/Steelcase MS bike team Maag Wheels to host three self defense classes. Classes are two hours each in duration. Proceeds will benefit the upcoming Bike MS: bkm/Steelcase Ride and the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter.

"We’re offering people an opportunity to give themselves a fighting chance," says Maag, who will be instructing the classes. "We’re offering a multilayered, holistic approach to ensuring one’s safety. Classes prepare students to prevent confrontations through awareness, avoidance and anticipation."

Maag’s mother, Kathy, now age 65, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) nearly 40 years ago. Multiple sclerosis, an often disabling disease of the central nervous system, affects women three times as often as men. Symptoms vary in severity from person to person and can range from numbness in the limbs to loss of vision or paralysis. For Maag’s mother, symptoms stemming from multiple sclerosis have progressed through the years today, she is bedridden and has very limited mobility. The cause of MS is unknown, and there currently is no cure for multiple sclerosis. Funds raised ensure ongoing scientific research to find better treatments and a cure and also provide for vital programs and services offered by the chapter to those in the state living with MS.

Maag Wheels was named the 2007 Bike MS: bkm/Steelcase Ride top fundraising team, raising almost $72,000. Maag personally raised more than $7,300, ranking him No. 3 among individual fundraisers.

Maag is a certified martial artist with a black belt in tae kwon do. Sacred Rivers Yoga Center is located at 2850 Main St., in Glastonbury. Self defense classes will take place Saturday, April 26; Saturday, May 10; and Saturday, May 17, from 2 to 4 p.m. There is a $40 fee for one class and a $20 fee for additional classes. Class sizes are limited. Reservations are required and payment must be received in advance.

Checks can be made out to:

Maag Wheels
PO Box 125
East Glastonbury, CT 06025-0125

For more information, please contact Billy Maag at maagwheels@cox.net. For more inforamtion on the 2008 bike MS: bkm/Steelcase Ride, please visit http://www.ctfightsms.org/.