While learning self-defence isn’t something I had ever considered before, I quickly realised just how important it is as a woman to be able to defend yourself – so I took part in a masterclass to learn some new skills
As a woman, the world can be a scary place, especially when you’re walking alone at night. With tragic cases such as Sarah Everard or Zara Aleena, or how rife phone theft and robberies are becoming, it’s more vital than ever to be able to protect yourself.
I’ve never considered learning self-defence and had always hoped FaceTiming a friend for company when I felt I was in danger, or keeping my keys interlaced in my knuckles would help, should anything happen, but after just one class, I realised I should have learnt it a lot sooner.
UAE -based fitness chain GymNation have launched a self-defence retreat, with billboards across London with the chance to learn some key skills when it comes to being able to protect yourself.
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Led by Jason Woodham, who’ll be leading the Self-Defence retreat in Dubai is recognised as one of the UAEs leading Self Defence experts and said: “It’s a misconception that learning self-defence is just about physical aggression, but actually it teaches you vital skills to reclaim your confidence, be more self aware, and feel empowered.
“We’re not advocating aggression – we’re teaching composure. When people feel strong, they make better decisions. They run if they must, they speak up when they can, and they stop living like victims,” Woodham added.
So with that, I put on some boxing gloves and tried it out for myself. The first thing I learnt was it’s mostly about the footwork and being able to be nimble on your toes. He shared how being solid in your stance is one way to be able to dodge someone if you were ever in a situation where you were being attacked.
Keeping two feet sturdy on the ground, with one leg in front of the other and stood slightly to the side makes you a lot sturdier, and also helps you to pivot and dodge if you needed to under attack.
I tried not to feel like I was trying to imitate a pro-boxer in the ring (not that I can fight nearly half as good), and Jason then taught me how to successfully dodge a punch, or in this case, dodge someone coming towards you to try and nab your phone.
He also taught me how to defend my face, use my feet and also protect myself if it ever came to it. In the class, I quickly learned that my body can do a lot more than I think and it can be easy to defend yourself, without it trying to look like you are ready to fight – which could then escalate tensions.
Arguably, it may be hard to know if someone is going to pinch your phone, as thieves act quickly. I have had my phone snatched from me, which all happened in such a blur, I don’t think anything could have prepared me for it, but the class gave me a sense of empowerment. The class isn’t just great for self-defence, it’s good for your self-esteem too, and I think it’s something every woman should learn.
GymNation revealed that the billboard QR code that popped up around London promoting the classes has been scanned over 3,000 times since its launch, while the retreat has received a staggering 600-plus sign-ups. Giant billboards appeared in Hackney and Southwark last week, two of the worst hotspots for phone thefts in the capital, while guerrilla posters in Soho, and advert bikes in Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus have also been spotted promoting the Self-Defence retreat.
In response to the huge number of sign-ups, Woodham said: “The response has been great. Self-defence is always a popular sport as people feel vulnerable in the world, especially these days, given the rising phone thefts in London.
“Just to have a little bit of knowledge on how to look after yourself has proved very appealing to Londoners – the main thing about the sport is the emphasis on learning situational awareness.”
The idea to offer the British public free spaces on the retreat is a fresh “solution” to restore Londoners confidence on the streets – amid a phone theft epidemic holding the UK’s capital hostage, according to GymNation CMO, Rory McEntee.
“This campaign is incredibly timely, with the Met Police just announcing a new dedicated Chief to find new tactics to tackle phone thefts in London – and the theft figures are staggering”.
According to Met Data, phone robberies last year hit a record high of more than 80,000 cases – so it’s more important than ever to be viiglant and aware of your surroundings.
GymNation’s exclusive Self-Defence retreat begins on Saturday, 15th November, 8am, at their Al Quoz club – and runs every week until 20th December.
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