Moscow martial arts school teaching self defense with selfie-sticks

MOSCOW, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- A Moscow sports center is offering a self-defense class centered around combat with an unusual brand of dangerous weapons: Selfie-sticks.

The M-PROFI combat sports center in Moscow held its first class Monday night for "MPD Fighting," short for "monopod fighting."

The center said the class was inspired by the self-defense needs of tourists.

"In many countries assaults on tourists have become a frequent occurrence... and the only instrument of self-defense that travelers always carry on themselves is a selfie-stick," M-PROFI said on its website.

The school said students learn to incorporate their selfie-sticks into "complex techniques borrowed from various martial arts."

M-PROFI said the classes are supported by a group called the Association of Safe Selfies.

"It's time for the selfie-stick to be used for a purpose other than to take photographs," the center quoted the association's president as saying.

The center said each class lasts for five sessions.