Image courtesy of Redbird Life

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Police Department is leading a no touch introductory self defense class. Redbird Aware begins with an hour and a half long presentation and discussion of safety and prevention tips, followed by an hour of learning stances and moves aimed at startling an aggressor and get to safety. 

“With some self defense classes in the area, whether you want to go to a particular dojo or gym, they also incorporate healthy lifestyles such as eating healthy, weight lifting, and getting cardio in. I always try to push that too during my self defense introduction class because it is important just to have the stamina in case you need to fight,” Jones said. “And because most fights are done within two minutes, we want to have enough cardiovascular stamina in order to fight and run in case we have to.”

Aside from the moves that she teaches in class, Officer Jones also encourages using the Safe Redbirds app for the safe walks, safety videos and other features. The safe walk feature works both on and off campus. 

 “Of course police can’t be everywhere even though we would like to, but a lot of the time just having that preventative mindset can keep you from dangerous situations,” Jones said.

Some preventative tips include staying off of your phone while walking around campus or elsewhere, checking your surroundings and trusting your intuition. 

 “A lot of it too is just being aware when you’re walking around, and trust your gut,” Jones said. “So if you think that there’s an area that could be dangerous, trust your gut and go around that area if you can. I understand that’s easier said than done sometimes.”

The physical portion is not required, and attendees are invited to attend either section of the class regardless of martial arts background. 

“If you want to go ahead and do the other hour of physical moves then you have that information, but I don’t make that mandatory because again I want everybody to feel welcome at the class,”  Jones said. “So if they decide to just watch then they get some of that knowledge, and hopefully watching their friends or somebody else do the physical portion gives them the courage to come back and do the physical portion so they at least have that information and that knowledge.”

The next public class will be held April 19, in Stevenson 401 at 2:30. Private classes are an option for RSOs on campus as well.

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