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PITTSBURG —
Pittsburg State University senior Kelsey Van Buren always wanted to take a self-defense course. So when her friends told her about one that was being sponsored by the Student Activities Council in the Overman Student Center Tuesday night, she jumped at the chance.
“It gave me some basic things that seemed like they could be effective on different occasions,” Van Buren said afterward, adding that her favorite move was the one that lets her get away from being restrained from behind.
The SAC typically uses ROTC Gorilla Battalion members to teach self-defense classes but the cadets weren’t available Tuesday. This time they used trainer and MMA fighter Luke Robinson, who owns the American MMA Academy in Pittsburg and teaches classes at MAC Fitness.
“The women really like his classes because of his teaching style, and he doesn’t get in your personal space,” said Eva Sager, program coordinator for campus activities.
Robinson said the course consists of basic street attack defense moves such as strikes and grab defenses. He said interest in self-defense classes is growing.
“The course is a lot more popular,” Robinson said. “It’s a major confidence booster. Some of the girls find it difficult to make it to that first class, but when they do, a lot of them want to come back.”
Jeanine Kunshek, issues and ideas chair for the SAC, said the council hosts the free sessions so female students will be able to protect themselves more effectively.
“It’s important for the ladies on campus to be aware of their situation, and it’s important for them to have confidence,” Kunshek said.
Jessica Ziesenis, a commercial art and creative writing senior from Frontenac, said she loved the course.
“I go to his kick boxing cardio course and it’s really great,” Ziesenis said. “He does a great job.”
Ziesenis said her favorite move was flipping an attacker.
“I probably wouldn’t be able to do it,” she laughed. “But it looks really cool. It looked like I was in an action movie.”
Pittsburg State University senior Kelsey Van Buren always wanted to take a self-defense course. So when her friends told her about one that was being sponsored by the Student Activities Council in the Overman Student Center Tuesday night, she jumped at the chance.
“It gave me some basic things that seemed like they could be effective on different occasions,” Van Buren said afterward, adding that her favorite move was the one that lets her get away from being restrained from behind.
The SAC typically uses ROTC Gorilla Battalion members to teach self-defense classes but the cadets weren’t available Tuesday. This time they used trainer and MMA fighter Luke Robinson, who owns the American MMA Academy in Pittsburg and teaches classes at MAC Fitness.
“The women really like his classes because of his teaching style, and he doesn’t get in your personal space,” said Eva Sager, program coordinator for campus activities.
Robinson said the course consists of basic street attack defense moves such as strikes and grab defenses. He said interest in self-defense classes is growing.
“The course is a lot more popular,” Robinson said. “It’s a major confidence booster. Some of the girls find it difficult to make it to that first class, but when they do, a lot of them want to come back.”
Jeanine Kunshek, issues and ideas chair for the SAC, said the council hosts the free sessions so female students will be able to protect themselves more effectively.
“It’s important for the ladies on campus to be aware of their situation, and it’s important for them to have confidence,” Kunshek said.
Jessica Ziesenis, a commercial art and creative writing senior from Frontenac, said she loved the course.
“I go to his kick boxing cardio course and it’s really great,” Ziesenis said. “He does a great job.”
Ziesenis said her favorite move was flipping an attacker.
“I probably wouldn’t be able to do it,” she laughed. “But it looks really cool. It looked like I was in an action movie.”
