SEMO hosts the ATA Legends Martial Arts Club for a Self Defense and Situational Awareness Class

Students at Southeast were presented with the opportunity to attend a self defense and situational awareness training in the student recreation center. This training class was hosted by Legends Martial Arts Club, located out of Jackson, MO.

Legends Martial Arts Club was founded in 2016, is family-owned and operated, and is associated with ATA Martial Arts. The Martial Arts School offers training and classes to all ages, from young children to parents and elders.

In collaboration with SEMO, Team Legends came to campus in an effort to advocate for Sexual Assault and Alcohol Awareness Month. Team Legends taught skills on how to stay safe. Self-defense, knowing your surroundings, and gaining confidence were the team’s main goals on this day of training.

Johnson expressed the importance of basic skills and knowledge for the average person to attain in regard to self-defense.

“People are reactive instead of proactive, and we want to change that. We don’t do these classes as much as we want to, or as much as they are needed.” Johnson said.

Chief Instructor, Brandon Johnson, shows off his favorite martial arts pose.Photo by Hannah Schellman

Johnson spoke on the many ways a person can gain confidence and strength within themselves by participating in one simple training.

Team Legends ran 20-30 minute quick classes including simple punching, kicking, and defensive training to equip participants with basic knowledge on how to defend themselves from an attacker.

“Everybody should know how to protect themselves, the more you know the better, and any martial arts knowledge is beneficiary.” Johnson said.

The passionate side Johnson had in his martial arts background showed through his dedication to the sport. Johnson encouraged people to use their strength whether they believe they have it or not. Johnson remarked on some of his experiences as Chief Instructor at Legends Martial Arts.

“I got a text from a young boy telling me that he wrote a book report on me after I trained him in martial arts classes. That was inspiring and gave me the drive to keep teaching these skills.” Johnson said.

Inspiration is one of the main things that keeps Team Legends going. The team remarked that they want to build belief in self for parents and children, especially in today’s day and age.

Member of Team Legends, 18-year-old Trent Ordinia, helped execute the classes and showed his skills off.

As a young member, Ordinia believes martial arts play a huge part in self-defense.

“The world today is more dangerous than ever. We must spread self-awareness to those around us, specifically college students on campuses,” Ordinia said.

Team Legends pose for photos before the self-defense classes and situational training.Photo by Hannah Schellman

Ordinia played out a scenario of a student walking back to their dorm and how likely that situation could go wrong if an attacker approached. This was just one example of why Ordinia feels these trainings are prevalent on college campuses.

Ordinia helps coach classes as a teen himself. He highlighted some of his favorite parts of martial arts.

“I love seeing people excited to be there especially when they gain confidence in themselves and have self belief.” Ordinia said.

Assistant Professor in Leadership, Middle and Secondary Education, Brooke Hildebrand Clubbs attended the class and participated herself.

“There is a reason we brought the self defense class in during Alcohol Awareness month. Alcohol can damper your awareness and ways of defending yourself.” Clubbs said.

Johnson and Team Legends talked to participants about knowing one's surroundings, even when alcohol is or is not involved. They also provided mind and physical skills for people to take with them.