Michigan Tech's Department of Public Safety and Police Services (DPSPS) uses the Self-Defense Systems to teach participants both proactive and reactive measures they can take to safely navigate their encounters with aggressive behavior. With this in mind, the mission of DPSPS's self-defense courses can be seen as being two-fold.
First, participants will have the opportunity to: raise their awareness of aggressive behavior, recognize how aggressive behavior impacts their lives, learn steps to avoid aggressive behavior, and consider how they can be part of reducing aggression and violence. This part of the program is designed to empower participants to both make safer choices when confronted with aggressive behavior and to reflect on what they can do to prevent potential violence.
Second, participants will focus on awareness, prevention, risk reduction, and risk avoidance and progress to the basics of hands-on defense training. This portion of the program is composed of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques, but is not a martial arts program. This program is designed for people of all skill levels, whether they have some prior self-defense training or none at all.
This program is offered by the DPSPS through Michigan Tech's Community Programs and as a for-credit course through the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology. All instructors have been certified through the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy. The course combines both classroom instruction and hands-on physical training.
When sessions are available, registration and payment can be completed online, by phone at 906-487-2303, or in person at the SDC Ticket Office. For more information or questions about Michigan Tech's Self-Defense Program contact Sergeant Haley Bianucci or Officer Ryan Wakeham at 906-487-2216.