By Charlotte Morritt-Jacobs - (@morrittjacobs on Twitter)

Demand for Personal Defense Training at the University of Lethbridge

May 29, 2016 | 12:30 PM

Lethbridge – “You can never be too prepared,” is the attitude employed by students and faculty during a University of Lethbridge Wellness Day which featured a self-defense training session.

There has been several sessions on campus throughout the years with no shortage of interest.

Brandie Lea, Faculty Development Officer and Tae Kwondo black belt, instructed the course providing strategies for the participants such as hitting a gun out of an attacker’s hands, blocking strikes from an attacker and interpreting body language.

Lea said that the general public is not always quick to recognize potential dangers and she hopes that training sessions at the university help participants identify risks and act accordingly.

“One of the things I have shared is visualization. Imagine defending yourself and not worrying about defending. I think that that is one big thing that we worry about, that we shouldn’t scratch their [an attacker’s] face or eye gouge because it would hurt them. When you’re on the losing end you need to do whatever you can do.”

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Lea said that the training is especially important for young women in university as a vulnerable group and that students walk away with more knowledge on how to blend in while alone but not appear passive or scared. Katherine Winter, a participant in the training says she sees the training as a confidence booster for those who cannot imagine themselves in dangerous situations.

Katherine Winter, a participant in the training said that the training has made her more confident in defending herself against people bigger than her.

“A big thing is being able to use other parts of your body apart from your hands like your elbows and knees. Learning to take a deep breath and ask yourself ‘what can I do instead of panicking because I think a lot of us panic first and become useless and unable to get out of a situation.”

While no further summer self-defense training dates are set, there are more Wellness Committee events held at the University.

For more information visit: http://www.uleth.ca/hr/wellness/content/wellness-committee