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Learn Self-Defense Moves for Free

Female employees can learn basics of protecting themselves July 9

"Lady Tigers," members of White Tiger Taekwondo, demonstrate martial arts moves. Female Duke employees can learn from the Lady Tigers and White Tiger master Rondy McKee during a free self-defense class July 9. Photo courtesy of Rondy McKee.

From basic kicks to using a cell phone, Duke faculty and staff can practice a variety of self-defense moves next week with a free class sponsored by LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke’s employee wellness program.

Open to all female employees, the self-defense class is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 9 at the Brodie Recreation Center classroom on East Campus.

Master Rondy McKee of White Tiger Taekwondo, a Cary-based martial arts facility, will lead the program. McKee said the event will include demonstrations by her and up to eight martial arts students as well as hands-on activities to learn self-defense techniques and routines.

Reservations are required to join the program and can be made online.

“My goal is to have everyone leave with basic techniques – kicks and strikes – that would feel automatic to perform,” said McKee, a seventh-degree black belt. “Usually, women who are attacked are smaller than an opponent, so we’ll show how to use that size against attackers.”

Activities will include demonstrating how to use everyday items in case of an emergency – like a cell phone – and how to get out of grabs or holds. McKee said that much of self-defense has to do with confidence in techniques and abilities, and the class is meant to act as a first step toward that.

Katie MacEachern, fitness specialist with LIVE FOR LIFE, said the employee wellness program wanted to offer the self-defense class to help employees find a new way to be active while also learning something useful for safety.

“Physical activity isn’t limited to exercise or recreation, it’s about what you can do functionally, too,” she said. “This is an opportunity to learn new skills for free and explore other exercise options.”

In addition to the free self-defense class, Duke employees can also receive a 20 percent discount off all programs with Whiter Tiger Taekwondo, including summer camps, special events and more. For more information, visit the Duke PERQS website.