The Framingham Girl Scouts held a self defense workshop for Brownie, Junior and Cadette level Scouts last Sunday at St. Bridget School.

Makoto-Do of Natick ran the special workshop for about 135 Girl Scouts.

Jeanne Donnelly and her Erica Daloia, both black belts, talked to the Scouts, who are in grades 1-8, about effective self defense techniques.

The Scouts learned how to be aware of their surrounding, how to have a proper distance and stance, and if a situation ever arises to use grab releases and clock and strikes to get away from an attacker or bully, said Framingham Girl Scouts volunteer coordinator Susan Petroni.

"We always hope they will never have to physically defend themselves," said Donnelly. "But if a  situation happens we taught them ways to defend themselves and how to get away."

Scouts who completed the 2-hour workshop earned a self-defense Try-It or badge, explained Petroni.