The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Out & About

Media Credit: ALLISON CARTER Sarah Peck, a second degree black belt in Kyuki-Do, will be the lead instructor for the class. [Click to enlarge]

The redhead up ahead may look sweet, but don't think about locking her wrists. Sarah Peck will "distract" you by "striking in the face" or "kicking in the knee."

Peck, a psychology graduate student from Wisconsin, became involved in martial arts at a young age. Thanks to a women's self-defense class, Peck discovered martial arts was her passion.

After moving to Athens, Peck attained her first black belt in Kyuki-Do - a combination of Tae Kwon Do, Judo and Hapkido - in 2004. Three years later, she acquired her second-degree black belt.

"Martial arts is great for mental health - it can be aerobic, strength building and it's very 'in the moment,' like meditation," Peck said. "Thoughts of your day - the paper due tomorrow - in that hour, you won't think about those things."

Peck became assistant instructor of women's self-defense at AKF Itto Martial Arts.


This summer, she will become lead instructor and plans to teach women the "social, environmental, psychological and physical aspects of safety," she said.

The classes begin with vigorous warm-up exercises before moving into various styles of kicking, striking and throwing.

Peck said other black belts will act as "attackers" to help the women develop and practice their skills, Peck said.

Last year, Sarah Saint's black belt fiancé encouraged her to go to her first women's self-defense course, despite her resistance.

"I've never done martial arts and I was afraid I'd make a fool out of myself," said Saint, a graduate student from Connecticut. "We learned all types of skills like how to get out of a choke hold. Learning actually de-powered it because afterwards, I was like 'oh.'"

Fortunately, like Peck, Saint has never had to use her defense skills outside of the classroom, but believes the awareness skills she acquired act as "confidence boosters."

This summer, Saint looks forward to her second year of the defense classes.

After expenses for materials and equipment, proceeds will go towards Project Safe to help battered women in the community.

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