UCLA Recreation

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UCLA Recreation Instructional Classes

Bruin Self Defense

The NEW Bruin Self Defense Program is designed to keep students safe while studying at UCLA. Each week the instructors will cover numerous basic self defense techniques (e.g. strikes, kicks, blocks, movements, situationals) and also specific self defense topics (e.g. weapons defense, attacks from behind, car attacks, sexual assault defense, muggings). Come to one or come to all; each workshop will address something new and is absolutely FREE!

Interested in becoming a UCLA Self Defense Instructor? Click Here to apply for the UCLA Martial Arts Leadership Team and begin the training program!

When: Every Wednesday (academic weeks 2-9), 5:30pm-7:00pm
Where: John Wooden Center - Yates Gymnasium
How to Register: Registration is FREE to all UCLA students and UCLA Recreation members. But due to a high number of participants, you must register for every session you want to attend. Simply log in to our Online Martial Arts Store and select "Bruin Self Defense". Registration for a Wednesday class opens at the conclusion of the previous week's class. See the Winter 2013 schedule below for details. If you have any questions, send them to us at instruction@recreation.ucla.edu.

Winter 2013 Bruin Self Defense Schedule:
Sect. 1:
January 16 (registration begins 12/5 at 12:00pm)
Sect. 2: January 23 (registration begins 1/16 at 7:00pm)
Sect. 3: January 30 (registration begins 1/23 at 7:00pm)
Sect. 4: February 6 (registration begins 1/30 at 7:00pm)
Sect. 5: February 13 (registration begins 2/6 at 7:00pm)
Sect. 6: February 20 (registration begins 2/13 at 7:00pm)
Sect. 7: February 27 (registration begins 2/20 at 7:00pm)
Sect. 8: March 6 (registration begins 2/27 at 7:00pm)
*all classes held at 5:30pm at the John Wooden Center - Yates Gymnasium

NEW!! Check out our Self Defense Tips page for topics including: increasing your awareness, understanding how you will react in a stressful situation, and basic physical techniques to defend yourself. This new page will be updated regularly by our Self Defense Instructors.

Instructor: Paul McCarthy

Paul McCarthy works as the Instructional Programs Coordinator at UCLA, managing and developing all of the Martial Arts classes offered at the John Wooden Center. He began his martial arts career in Lincoln, England, where he gained rank in Western Kickboxing. After moving to Indiana, he began training Hapkido and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He received his Hapkido black belt in 2004 and was promoted to 3rd degree in 2011, while also receiving a black belt in Taekwondo in 2006. While finishing his Masters at Indiana University he became an assistant instructor for Jeet Kune Do and Kali Escrima classes and is a certified instructor in Jun Fan Gung Fu, Jeet Kune Do and Filipino Martial Arts under Guro Dan Inosanto. Paul believes that training in and opening your mind to multiple arts, whether combative or healing, is the true path in martial arts. He holds the highest respect for all martial arts and welcomes any style to the UCLA Martial Arts Program.

Instructor: Lance Wisdom

Lance Wisdom is a 6th degree Black Belt (one of only two in the art) and the only graduate of the Temple of the Full Autumn Moon.  He is head student under Shannon Kawika Phelps Sensei (Special Forces Vietnam, SEAL class 106, Former anti-terrorism case-director Central Intelligence Agency and 10th degree Shorinjin Ryu Saito Ninjutsu).  Lance has been training and teaching in Kawika Sensei’s system of Gozan ryu for over fifteen years. His specialties include Ninjutsu and Armed Jujutsu strategies and special tactics.  He is owner and operator of Wisdom Elite Conditioning in Los Angeles.  The UCLA class has regular guest instructors from the First Responders, SEAL and Police/DEA communities.





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