Self-Defense issues addressed at AS event

Representatives from several of Pasadena’s martial arts studios gathered in the Quad on Tuesday to participate in Self-Defense Awareness Day, an event dedicated to the memory PCC professor Mark Epstein, a self-defense instructor who died in March.Disciplines ranging from kung fu to kickboxing were on display during the event, which included volunteer-driven demonstrations focused on increasing knowledge of self defense techniques at PCC, especially among female students.

Will Adams, kinesiology professor and fifth-degree karate black belt, dedicated a minute of silence to the memory of Epstein’s “lifetime endeavor” towards martial arts before discussing the value of feeling safe at school.

“Self-defense is being aware of where you are and being mindful,” said Adams. “Be aware of your surroundings. Be proactive. Call security for an escort to your car if you do not feel comfortable.”

Natalja Karniouchina, vice president for cultural diversity for the Associated Students, said she put together the event partially in response to attacks on female students on community college campuses in California.

“We want students to have the basic tools to defend themselves,” said Karniouchina.

Past students of Epstein’s used the event to remember their self defense professor.

“My whole environment seemed threatening,” said Laurie Casbeare, a student who took two semesters of Epstein’s self defense courses after recovering from a severe illness. “Feeling like a strong person again was empowering.”

Juan Cruz, an illustration major, said his time with Epstein allowed him to “understand who [he] was” and that self defense is often a “state of awareness” rather than a physical act.

Representatives from familiar names in martial arts such as karate, tae kwon do and kung fu participated in Self-Defense Awareness Day alongside lesser known disciplines such as Dahn Mu Do yoga, “a healing form of martial arts” and kaizen, an American discipline that takes its name from the Japanese for “change for the better.”

Members of Associated Students, sponsors of Self-Defense Awareness Day, hoped the event would remind people of the importance of physical fitness.