Self defence classes for women

Too many news stories and tragedies shared on social media sites highlight the need for more people to have a few essential self defence skills. Men and women, but especially women, need these skills to protect themselves and loved ones or to recognise warning signs and avoid confrontations.

I consider myself a strong female, fairly athletic; I spend a good amount of time cycling or on my cross trainer interspersed with weights and a bit of feisty aggression, but really, if a man tried to take me down then I probably wouldn't have much chance. A man who is the same size as me still has more muscle and so I, and all women, need to have the advantage of a few possible life-saving moves.

This is where KAPAP comes in, it is a great system of easy to learn techniques and reactions that do not involve strength or size, and they do necessitate practice though, in order for the moves to become second nature, a reaction. The classes are fun, friendly and all members are focused on the learning and assisting each other in getting the most out of the techniques.

Dale is a patient instructor who is happy to show things many times until you feel comfortable with the moves. Keen to instil self defence from the very fundamentals, it’s not long after meeting and chatting with him you realise that this is a person who places awareness high on the list. He describes and demonstrates how we can avoid many potentially tricky situations by remaining alert all times. As the focus on KAPAP is to avoid confrontation, spotting signs of trouble early on can save a whole heap of grief. However it's not just a heightened sense of awareness that is always going to stop things happening, its knowing how to deflect and if need be defend.

The Actual KAPAP self defence techniques are an amalgamation of effective tactics used throughout the world and throughout history and its still growing, this highlights why KAPAP is the best - it evolves, there is no set syllabus, if an effective move is found in another discipline or martial art it will be incorporated.

On the foundation course you learn different ways of getting out of compromising situations with as little force as necessary, the techniques feel very natural and are intuitive. It is a good taster of the closed group sessions that focus on different styles and moves from martial arts of all kinds. It is a requirement that the foundation course is completed before being able to join in with the weekly classes – it gets you up to the level of knowledge necessary.

This really is a superb system of self defence tactics and a nice social environment. As a self-defence class it offers valuable lessons in tactics, there are people of all sizes to practice against and the classes are mixed. There is a good warm up, followed by action-reaction drills and fun games that focus on awareness and occasional pressure tests that mimic real life situations to help you develop that natural reaction for self defence.

This system of self protection is taught all round the world to all people with vastly differing levels of fitness and ability, successfully, and if you come and give it a go - you will understand why.

Emma Wilcox, student and member of KAPAP Norfolk Academy since October 2010

For men too

It's not just women who need the self defence skills, there are men who wouldn't even think about starting a fight nevermind inflicting pain on anyone, but its that passivity that can put you at a disadvantage. The KAPAP way is one of defence, there is no aggression or malicious intent, it is a passive system of evasive techniques to avoid, deflect or disarm. To buy you some time, if the situation were to ever occur.

Keep it legal!

The tricky area that is defending yourself in this litigious society, means that you have to be careful - ending up on the wrong side of the law when you are actually a victim.

KAPAP Norfolk Academy is all about the legal side of things as well as the defence moves themselves. Its all about making it clear that you are justified in your actions and this is focused on, the techniques employed and the body language used all plays an important part.