By By: Ashley Bergeron
Staff-Writer
The Self Defense Club, commonly known as the Martial Arts Club, is a place where people can learn how to defend themselves. The club meets every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the SAC fitness room.
For those who are wondering how a meeting might go, here’s a breakdown. It starts with a quick warm up. Afterwards, the officers will lead wrist exercises, which can improve your flexibility, increase your pain tolerance, and understand what pain you’re inflicting onto others. During the meetings, the officers will give encouragement and tailor the instruction to what members want to learn. The primary martial art taught at Self Defense Club is Japanese Jiu Jitsu, but there is a little bit of everything.
If you plan to attend a meeting, you must sign a waiver before entering the basement of the SAC.
The recommended attire is comfortable shorts and a T-shirt you don’t care about. Shoes don’t matter, as people have the option to either have socks or be barefoot. A water bottle is also recommended to bring to each meeting.
“It’s for everyone,” President Patrick Lacher said. “If you have any questions or are unsure, we will answer them. We will teach you how to use what you have to defend yourself and your loved ones while having fun.”
The president, vice president, and treasurer of the Self Defense Club are Patrick Lacher, Nathaniel Ladson, and Christian Martinez. The faculty adviser is Yoshiko Green, a professor at Indiana University South Bend who teaches Japanese and Japanese Culture.
The Self Defense Club plans to host seminars where local martial arts instructors can give classes open to the public at IU South Bend. They also plan to hold collaborations with other clubs and organizations whose members are interested in self defense.
Students can find more information about the Self Defense Club on Titan Atlas under Okinawa Martial Arts club.
