Dean to teach self-defense class
Mike P. Coglan
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: News
Starting this coming Sunday, Dean of Students Bob Burnes will be teaching a "Basic Street Self-Defense" course through Kirkwood Community College's Continuing Education Program.
Burnes, a Vietnam veteran and martial arts instructor, has earned a first-degree black belt in tae kwon do and a third-degree black belt in goju ryu karate, a strict discipline of a deadly art. He also has trained in and taught kickboxing and boxing, with two of his students going on to become Golden Glove winners.
His self-defense class will focus primarily on escaping from dangerous situations.
People won't be learning how to get into and win fights, he said, but rather how to avoid major conflict or end it quickly.
Students will learn about the importance of timing and spacing when in a conflict, what to do in dangerous circumstances and how to avoid being put in bad situations to begin with.
While individual techniques will be taught, an equal focus will be put on overall awareness of surroundings and assessing possible danger.
Burnes said he will be using the book "The Gift Of Fear" by Gavin De Becker, who runs a threat assessment and bodyguard agency.
The class will run Sundays, starting Nov. 1, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Lincoln Learning Center, 912 18th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids.
For more information, contact Kirkwood's Continuing Education, 398-5584.
Burnes, a Vietnam veteran and martial arts instructor, has earned a first-degree black belt in tae kwon do and a third-degree black belt in goju ryu karate, a strict discipline of a deadly art. He also has trained in and taught kickboxing and boxing, with two of his students going on to become Golden Glove winners.
His self-defense class will focus primarily on escaping from dangerous situations.
People won't be learning how to get into and win fights, he said, but rather how to avoid major conflict or end it quickly.
Students will learn about the importance of timing and spacing when in a conflict, what to do in dangerous circumstances and how to avoid being put in bad situations to begin with.
While individual techniques will be taught, an equal focus will be put on overall awareness of surroundings and assessing possible danger.
Burnes said he will be using the book "The Gift Of Fear" by Gavin De Becker, who runs a threat assessment and bodyguard agency.
The class will run Sundays, starting Nov. 1, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Lincoln Learning Center, 912 18th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids.
For more information, contact Kirkwood's Continuing Education, 398-5584.
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