By Matt Kaminsky, Currier Times Staff///

Curry College held a self defense course for students recently that featured experts, including Curry karate instructor, Andre Tippett. The event was hosted by Lexington Self-Defense Partners  and sponsored by The Fitness Center, Public Safety, and Residence Life. Allan Azoff and Cleveland Coats, co-owners of Lexington Self Defense Partners, joined Tippett in the demonstrations and exercises.

Students learned basic maneuvers that would help themselves in the case of scenarios where they may need to protect themselves. 

Josie Wyman, a junior with a Psychology major and Criminal Justice minor, said it was important for her to learn some techniques.

“I took this class to have a better idea of how to protect myself in the unlikely case that something was to happen to me,” said Wyman.

Some examples of self defense that students learned were:

• Parking lot safety
• Elevator safety 
• Basic tools to enhance blocking doors 
• Self defense tactics in the case a person pins you to the wall

Curry College Karate instructor, Sensei Andre Tippett, said this was an important workshop to host on campus.

“I thought this would be a good opportunity for the school,” said Tippett. “I have known Cleveland and Allan for a while and thought it would be good to bring them here so they could share some of their experience in a seminar / class here at Curry.”

This course comes after a string of safety incidents on campus, including off-campus intruders banging on doors in dorm facilities.

 Josie Wyman said those incidents have made her more aware of her need for self defense.

“The multiple incidents that have happened on campus really made me scared and I felt like this class would be an opportunity to learn ways to protect myself,” said Wyman.

This course allows students to prepare themselves in case of an emergency, it also lets them have a sense of comfort that they have new skills. 

Students who could not attend should know that keeping an eye out for suspicious activity is a key step.

“They should be vigilant of their surroundings and not be afraid to ask for help,” said Coats. “You have a very good Public Safety department and they are available 24/7.”

Expect to see more Self Defense workshops in the future, and you can always sign up for Tippett’s Karate courses as well.