Meet the Akinlanas

Father and Daughter run self-defense school

Pictured (l-r) Sola Akinlana and Baba Marcus Akinlana, an international artist/muralist and martial arts artist.

Rhodesia Jackson
Writer

NEW ORLEANS -- What if someone grabbed your hand, your wrist, your arm forcefully? Would you know what to do?  Would you know how to react? Supposed they pulled a weapon on you like the fatal case for Trayvon Martin? Would you know how to take away the weapon?

The Avalanche JA Self Defense & Combat School celebrates its one-year anniversary this month with a valorous showcase demonstration.  

Like warriors.
The day began for performers with body painting, warm ups and stretching exercises. Together, teachers and students demonstrated the results of superb levels of training and discipline -- engaging in judo combat battles, falls, sparring, flips and O-soto heel kicks. 

Founded and operated by a father and daughter duo, Marcus Akinlana and Sola Akinlana, Avalanche JA teaches a holistic self-defense philosophy that focuses on intense conditioning of mind, body and spirit.

"These are violent times, which have people feeling fearful and tense," explained Sola.  "This training helps people to feel nice and safe and confident.  To a would-be attacker, they are a surprise."

Fear attracts fear.

Concerned about the great proliferation of violent crime in the City of New Orleans, Stacy Andrews, a grandmother, enrolled without hesitation after seeing a presentation last year.

"That was the number one factor for me, because you never know if you will be in a situation," she stated.  "The awareness that I have now along with the technique and skills, I can protect myself and my grandchildren -- it's priceless."

"The first thing Baba teaches is that there is no need to be extra aggressive," explained Sola, (baba is an Asian, African, Eastern term for father). "So, lesson number one is to run and avoid confrontation. Only when you are left with no other choice....life and death...do you defend yourself."

"This is my philosophy: It is a basic human right to protect and defend yourself," added Baba Marcus.  "It's an absolute necessity of life and is the foundation to peace and tranquility."

Rooted in the Asian Martial Arts Culture, Avalanche JA combines the traditions of Taekwondo, Hapkido, Judo and boxing to develop good character, code of conduct, deep meditation and mental and physical strength.

These are no ordinary push ups: Apex push ups require students to use every muscle in their bodies while lifting from the fingers and toes.

Body is weapon.

"I do not like or believe in victimization," stated Baba Marcus.  "This school is about empowerment of young people, women, families and is an extension of the protection I provide for my own family."

Avalanche JA especially hopes to reach "ruffins," the low-income, young urban males in the New Orleans area who have gone astray and compose a disproportionate high percentile of alarming crime stats and incarceration rates.  

On all fronts -- socially, economically, environmentally and educationally, particularly the school system which now acts as a feeder to the industrial prison system, society is failing these young men.

This is the group Baba Marcus wants to encompass in his vision for Avalanche JA. "There would be a visible and concrete difference in what is happening to these young men if they were exposed to this way of life," he stated.

A way of life.
In response to some proponents's fear that this might make them more dangerous, he answered:

"If you look at the mixed martial arts scene here in the West, one might think so.  But we adhere to the traditional Eastern culture where there is a spiritual basis for character, meditation and code of conduct.   

"There's a difference between skilled and belligerence.  Weakness is a choice," he continued. "With these principles and techniques, we can show them how to channel positive energy and how to become a light for goodness."

Enrollment is open now for weekly, monthly and one-on-one training for ages 9 years old and up.  The Akinlanas also offer self-defense seminars to groups, organizations and businesses.  For more information on costs and fees, contact Baba Marcus Akinlana at 905.6347 or join the Avalanche JA facebook page.