By CHRISTINE RAPPLEYE
christine@du2.byu.edu
Basic self-defense skills for women will be taught tonight by the 1998 National Gold Medal Tae Kwon Do Champion.
Master Mary Louise Zeller, 55, is a fourth-degree black belt and a has won over 30 medals in state, national and international competitions.
Zeller will teach basic skills with kicks and punches, defensive striking techniques, common sense of self defense and actual physical defenses if attacked.
Chris Pfeiger will also help teach self-defense skills at the workshop. He has over 16 years of training in the martial arts and wrestling. Pfeiger has developed a curriculum to teach women to use body leverage in self-defense, not strength or size.
LaNae Valentine, Coordinator of Women's Services and Resources, says women will learn basic skills to defend themselves.
'The workshop will not train women in tae kwon do or karate, but women will leave with basic self-defense skills,' Valentine said.
'Women need to know how to protect themselves,' Zeller said. 'Women will have a knowledge that could save their life someday.'
Zeller was the first and only American woman to actively participate in the First International Master Instructor Training Seminar and be designated a Tae Kwon Do Master.
These are important skills everyone needs, Valentine said.
'You don't have to like practicing self-defense, but if you don't, you'll hate the consequences,' Pfeiger said.
People don't think they need a self-defense class because they don't think they'll ever use it or they don't want to need it, Pfeiger said.
Zeller encourages women to strengthen themselves.
'Some of the most important aspects of self defense are smart choices, good sense about what situations you put yourself in and how to 'de-fuse' a potentially life-threatening confrontation,' Zeller said.
Zeller began tae kwon do nine years ago after having a baby.
'Tae kwon do has transformed me into a vitally alive, strong and doing-my-dreams kind of person,' Zeller said.
Zeller is currently training for the Olympic team trials in February. She and her husband run a consulting business and a tae kwon do academy. The Zellers and their 11-year-old son live at the foot of Mt. Timpanogos.
The workshop will take place tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. in 2142 and 2152 ELWC.