Why?  Because from 7-9 p.m., Ryan Frye holds his bi-weekly self-defense class.

Want to feel more in control?  More confident?  This class might be the answer. 

Teaching American Free-Style Karate, Frye holds a black belt and is a six-year veteran instructor of martial arts. He receives help from assisting instructors of lower rank. 

The class starts out with stretches and then breaks up into groups according to the level of the students’ abilities. More advanced students with higher belts instruct the newer students and show them basic moves.  

While teaching the class, Frye asks the students why each move is so powerful. He also explains which points on the body are most effectively targeted in a dangerous situation.

Frye talked about ways to react in certain situations, such as the importance of creating distance between you and the attacker.

Frye also touched on defense against someone with a knife and answered the students’ questions about various other unfortunate confrontations that may possibly arise.

Frye’s goals as a teacher include helping the white belts to progress, improvement in all of his students, and helping the entire class build confidence in their ability.  

He was inspired by the altruism of the sport of American Free Style Karate and believes the class helps him compete, as well. 

“The art will die if not taught,” Frye said, and that is part of the reason he was prompted to get involved in teaching martial arts. 

Frye said some of the benefits are the obvious aspects of learning how to defend oneself and the exercise factor, but also the fact that the environment of the class is a friendly one.

Frye feels many of his students are involved because of the close-knit feeling of the group.  He agrees that it takes time and determination to master the skill of martial arts. 

“If you’re determined, you will succeed,” Frye said. 

The students have the chance to work at their own pace. Some people, Frye says, come solely for the workout and to learn a few basic moves of self-defense. Students also get a chance to receive belts as they move up in the class.

Students in the class feel it has helped them in many ways.  

The theme of the self-defense class is to work hard to achieve a goal. 

“Anyone can do it, as long as they put forth the effort,” junior Glenn Greeson said. 

Greeson is a high blue belt and is testing for his red belt. 

For Greeson, the class is a great way to let off steam and have fun with a bunch of other people with shared interests.  

Greeson stated that it definitely makes him feel more safe, and feels he learns things from the class he wouldn’t otherwise.

“I know I can protect myself from an attacker,” Greeson said.

 For others, like Dr. Mary Ballard, the class serves a completely different purpose. 

“I was frightened,” Ballard said, and explained the circumstances that prompted her to take the class. 

As the faculty advisor of B-GLAAD (Bisexuals, Gays, Lesbians and Allies Allocating Diversity), she is no stranger to differences in opinion. 

Last year after B-GLAAD displayed their message in the tunnels under Rivers Street, they were bombarded with threatening hate messages. 

Ballard, who is also an associate professor in psychology, decided that it was time to learn how to defend herself. 

Ballard feels it is possible for anyone to get involved and to progress as long as they have the determination. 

“In order to learn how to defend yourself well, you have to stick with it,” Ballard said.

Both Ballard and Greeson agree that the class has definitely built their confidence.  

With 25 assaults being reported on Appalachian’s campus last year, students are looking for ways to protect themselves.  

Perhaps this self-defense class is a solution.