This is not your typical kickboxing class and that’s how instructor Viviane Khounlavong Vallance wants it to be.

Starting this week Vallance will introduce women to Muay Lao, a Laotian form of the popular cardiovascular exercise, and her goal is to lead women to a path of physical strength and confidence.

“This is to empower women to become a stronger version of themselves,” Vallance said. “It is not your typical cardio kickboxing where you are punching and kicking without proper technique.”

To introduce women to the discipline Vallance is offering a free class Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Ironton Preferred Fitness, 711 S. Third St.

“You will learn the basic punching techniques, guarding and how to hold kick pads and punch pads,” she said.

Pads are used instead of punching bags and participants will be paired up for the workout class.

“One person will be punching and kicking in the pads and one person will be guarding,” Vallance said. “You will get a great cardio workout. You use your full body to throw the punch.”

Muay Lao is a kickboxing style Vallance learned as a child.

“It is a family tradition,” she said. “It is something I learned from my dad.”

Besides getting women more involved in physical activity there is a self-defense element also to the Muay Lao.

“There are different techniques that you would use to protect yourself in real life,” she said. “It made me feel like a stronger women. If I was ever in a situation where I had to protect myself, the technique my dad and uncle taught me would come into play.”

A series of classes will follow if there is interest.

“As long as we have people registered for the class,” Vallance said. “We haven’t come up with a fee schedule. We want to gauge how the first class goes and the interest.”

Participants are advised to wear loose comfortable clothing. Shoes and mats are not required.

For more information, contact Vallance at trainwithviv@gmail.com or 606-922-5802.

“This is a class for women at any skill level,” she said. “Anybody can do it. You don’t have to be in any sort of fitness level to be in the class. And the intention is it is only for women. I feel like women deserve to have a class where they don’t feel intimidated because there are so many men in the class.”