From pilates to yoga, the physical wellness and sports department offers many one credit courses students of any major can take. For students looking for a workout and the opportunity to learn practical skills, self defense is one of these classes.

The course teaches students the basics of physical, verbal and mental martial arts techniques.

The class is taught by Matthew Kane. Kane has led self defense and jiu jitsu classes at Kent State since fall semester of 2014 but has been involved with martial arts for over 23 years.

Kane also owns his own gym, Paragon Martial Arts and Fitness, located in Tallmadge, Ohio.

At the university, Kane offers five sections of self defense throughout the semester and three sections of jiu jitsu. The classes are capped at 18 students.

Classes are available to students of all years and majors with a want to learn how to defend themselves.

“The main thing we talk about is mindset and to choose safety,” Kane said, “and the three I’s that include instinct, intuition and intelligence.”

At the end of the semester the students take a final where they put their skills to the test. Kane brings in past students to be “bad guys” wrapped in safety gear against which students must defend themselves.

“In the class you’re going to learn a lot, have a lot of fun, get a good workout and most importantly, learn life saving skills,” Kane said.

Senior nursing major Ally Klotz said she loved the course after taking it last spring.

“I feel very prepared now with the different defensive and verbal techniques I learned,” Klotz said.

She said she has already persuaded five of her friends to enroll in the course because she had so much fun.

Kent Police Sergeant Tricia Knoles said she agrees that self defense is an important skill.

“Martial arts classes where you meet once or twice a week are very beneficial because it will help you build muscle memory,” Knoles said.

The university’s self defense class meets twice a week in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center building.

Students interested in the self defense course can find more information here.

Skylar Edington is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].