The Dixon Center was packed with people this Saturday. However this time it was not the lacrosse team occupying the gym. A crowd of unfamiliar faces loaded into the Dixon Center Dance Studio as P.in.K, Cabrini’s self-defense class was held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. P.in.K, which stands for Power in Knowledge, was a huge success as it brought in many young faces to the event. This was the first year that Cabrini offered this club and since it was such a huge success will likely do the same in years to come.
Club members and the individuals who attended the event were taught basic techniques of self-defense. Situations arise when one must take immediate action and use his or her surroundings to cope with a threat. Members of the P.in.k club want to inform and train young students to be better equipped when dangerous circumstances arise.
Dwayne Bolt, the instructor of the seminar, demonstrated the proper techniques of aikido, a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba. “He taught us how to be aware of our bodies and aware of our surroundings. He demonstrated how to get out of situations where someone is trying to attack you, and how to use everyday objects like a flashlight or a magazine in a self-defense way,” Alexa Milano, P.in.k club member, said. Empowerment and just being smart about what you are getting yourself into in certain situations can go a long way.
Bolt not only discussed the aspect of self-defense, but also went over how to avoid these types of confrontations. It is one thing to have knowledge on how to defend yourself but it is another thing to know how to not even be put in those conditions. Bolt stressed that it is not as much martial arts as it is martial awareness. Being aware of your surroundings can save you from encounters with strangers that may be a danger to you.
Many times when one is being attacked, instinct kicks in and it is almost as if you cannot control what your body is telling you to do. Adrenaline can only get you so far, which is why these P.in.k club members are stressing the importance of learning and practicing these skills so that if a situation were to arise, young adults would be better equipped with the knowledge and skills that were practiced at the seminar on Saturday. The P.in.k club hopes to make this a common event on campus this year and years to come so that students can be more familiar and skilled in self-defense.
