Springville Road Regional Library Offers Cane-Fu Self-Defense for Seniors

Stacey Burkes, left, showed off Cane Fu self-defense moves at BPL Staff Day. 

What: Cane-Fu  Self Defense for Seniors
When: Thursday, October 31, 12:30 p.m.
Where: Springville Road Regional Branch Library
Details: Led by veteran karate instructor Stacey Burkes, Cane-Fu is a martial arts class for seniors designed to teach them how to protect themselves. It is also open to other adults who use a cane, with instructions on how to turn it into a self-defense tool. Free to anyone. To register, contact Kelly Laney  of the Springville Road Regional Library at 205-226-4081 or kslaney@bham.lib.al.us.

Are you a senior citizen or adult using a cane to get around?

Then make plans now to be at the Springville Road Regional Branch Library for Cane-Fu - Self Defense for Seniors - a new monthly class led by veteran martial arts instructor Stacey Burkes. The next class will be this Thursday, October 31, 12:30 p.m.

Instructor Stacey Burkes at a Cane-Fu self-defense class at Springville Road Regional Library.  

Burkes' class teaches seniors how to protect themselves from those meaning them harm, using martial arts moves and their cane. A Birmingham native and graduate of Phillips High School, Burkes teaches karate lessons in downtown Ensley and has been a karate instructor for over three decades.

Burkes specializes in several forms of karate, including Shorin ryu, Shobu-kai and Yoshu kai karate.

Burkes has been giving karate lessons for years senior citizens in Center Point and began teaching Cane-Fu at Springville Road Regional Library at the request of Adult Services Librarian Kelly Laney, who felt it would be a got fit for their patrons.

Attendees of a Cane-Fu self-defense class at Springville Road Library.

The class has been well received, Laney said. Burkes gave a karate demonstration for Birmingham Public Library Employees October 24 during its annual Staff Day training.

Burkes said his goal is for Cane-Fu attendees to gain confidence and eliminate their fear when out in public.

"My desire is for class participants to gain independence and to know they no longer have to be frightened anymore just because they use a cane," Burkes said.

Cane-Fu is free to the public. For information and dates of upcoming classes, contact Kelly Laney  of the Springville Road Regional Library at 205-226-4081 or kslaney@bham.lib.al.us.