Leeds City Council under the Directorship of Laura Smale recently held a serial of ladies self defence classes with the help of Tai Jutsu Leeds, one of the country’s leading martial art clubs.
The first of these classes were held at the nearly Armley Sports Centre and was extremely well attended with women travelling from all over Leeds to take part.
The lesson started well with Sensei Sean McHale , Tai Jutsu Leeds Chief instructor explained what they could expect that no one has the right to hurt anyone.
He explained and showed us in a very simple and effective way how a much smaller person can prevail over a much larger and stronger attacker with a little bit of knowledge and the spirit to fight back.
He started us off with a little light and gentle exercise, which lulled us in to a false sense of security , you could have called it the lull before the storm, as soon as the warm up was over, he began to show us array of fast devastating techniques on our poor group of would be attackers.
Who all were volunteers instructors from Tai Jutsu Leeds that Sean had brought along specifically for this purpose.
He started off with five instructors holding protective foam shields and then showed us just how little power it took to fall a much bigger attacker with a knee to the stomach, groin or inside leg.
At first thought that fine for a trained martial artist who all his life but how could I possibly do that to someone twice my size, the answer was surprisingly easy and turned out to be great fun and very satisfying.
The next thing we were taught was the best form of defence was not to get in to the situation to start with, Sean came out with a few simple practical rules! Such as Making sure you always keep in a group, watching out for each other, keeping an eye on each other drinks and always remember that you can always replace property, but you yourself can’t ever be replace and if possible run.
After our little team talk we went straight in to many more different scenarios with us be attacked from the rear, where I really surprised myself ! Just how easy it was to defend myself from would be attacker.
As he grabbed my back, I just grabbed his arm and stuck out my leg to the side and throw him to the ground and dropped my knee right in his ribs, to my delight and to his screams, I loved it and was so easy.
There were so many techniques, it would be impossible to mention them in this article, but would like to thank all those involved in these events, it was brilliant and it was really enjoyable and I would like to take the opportunity to apologise all the poor Tai Jutsu Leeds instructor who took so much pain in the name of a good cause and I am sure from speaking to the rest of the ladies who trained and now might be feeling a little guilty for getting a little carried away
( But all I can say is that we all blame Sensei Sean from training us too well ! )
But it was great fun and I do feel more confidant and I would recommend it everyone