Self-defense courses for students are fast becoming an expected element in college curricula and rightfully so. No matter how safe your neighborhood is, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t learn extra skills that let you defend yourself adequately in cases of emergency.

The US News website tells us how students of Temple University in North Philadelphia, especially female ones, are eager to take the self-defense courses offered every semester, which is equivalent to two credits but requires students to obtain the instructor’s permission prior to enrolling.

In the University of Pittsburgh, the self-defense lessons offered are based on the Buy Yourself a Minute or BYAM method, which was developed by Officer Curtis Smith. The course is open to both male and female students and is designed to teach students not just how to get out of dangerous situations but how to avoid them in the first place. The lessons are considerably tough, requiring students to perform the correct action in simulated shootings and purse snatchings.

The reason for offering such courses varies. Although some are offered as a direct response to the level of crime prevalent in a given area, some, which is true in the case of Temple University according to its instructor Michelle Harmon, are simply given to empower women “in their general pursuit for their life skills”.

And for those doubting the value of taking self-defense lessons, a report from News4jax.com may convince them otherwise. The website recently featured an incident in Clay County, Florida wherein a 55-year-old mom was able to sufficiently protect herself from a potentially dangerous situation and all thanks to the self-defense classes she were taking from the local church.

Terry Thompson stands 5-foot-2, has three children, and is no different from ordinary mothers except for one thing: she had been taking Tae-Kwon-Do classes for about a year. It took root from her early interest in martial arts and was eventually realized with her desire to learn self-defense and gain self-confidence. Thompson believed that her age placed her at greater risk and took the class to make her less vulnerable. She hadn’t imagined, however, that there would actually be a time when she would put her self-defense lessons to use.

Indeed, it was after one of those classes at night that she was approached by a would-be mugger in the parking lot of Middleburg First Baptist. The man had first asked if she had money, to which she replied in the negative. When the man attempted to snatch her purse, Thompson had responded with a side-kick and a punch; it was enough to make the man run away empty-handed.

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The World Champion Karate Academy, located in Bowling Green, is offering a wide selection of classes, some of which are designed to teach self-defense for families. Similar family-oriented lessons, Shinpu-Ren Okinawan Hard Karate in particular, are also offered at Bradshaw mountain High School and under the direction of Kyoshi Garry Morris. The classes Morris teaches specialize in teaching self-defense for young kids who may be or already are victims of bullying in school. They are also taught about “stranger danger” and the need for avoiding confrontation. Besides self-defense, the lessons also focus on helping students build their self-respect, self-esteem, and their character — lessons which can be of value to adult students as well.

The Kenner Police Department, on the other hand, takes a slightly different approach with a self-defense course designed for women. The classes, offered free of charge, will be held from September 8 to 11, targeting females aged 13 and above. Two certified police officers will take the role of instructors for the self-defense course and their lessons include but aren’t limited to the discussion and demonstration of escaping multiple attackers, abduction, lawful means of self-defense, the various types of sexual assaults, and risk awareness. Interested parties may attend more than one class and will have the opportunity to put their skills to test during classes.

Another self-defense course designed for women, also for free, is offered in the Recreation and Cultural Arts of Asheville Parks. Entitled “Practical Self-Defense for Women”, the workshop will take place at the Stephens-Lee Recreation Center at September 4, 2008.

The introductory class will be under the direction of WNC Center for Self-Defense founder and lead instructor Steve Lunsford. Participants don’t need to have previous experience and are requested to come in loose-fitting attire.

In Wilmington, New Hanover County, free self-defense lessons are also offered, prompted by a recent attack on a 24-year-old woman. The victim had to undergo surgery after suffering from sexual assault and multiple stabbings. The incident made concerned resident Aaron Lawrence, a black belt in karate, volunteer to teach self-defense classes for free.

Many types of self-defense courses are offered today, designed to teach people of all shapes and sizes to defend themselves properly. All you need to do is find one that appeals to you and fits your schedule.

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