Despite our best efforts to act sensibly and avoid troublespots, we can sometimes find ourselves in awkward situations.

The threat of violence is frightening. It triggers a stress response in the body which increases heart rate and diverts blood into large muscle groups in preparation for ‘fight or flight’. In untrained people sudden fear can result in loss of motor function or ‘freezing’ - often with disastrous consequences. Trained people typically cope far better.

Enshin karate uses all the body, developing skill, speed, strength, stamina and suppleness. We also feel it gives us something extra. Let's call it emergency fitness. The type that helps in a crisis .

You're out walking when three youths set about you. You fight for your life, break free, sprint 200 yards to get away, climb over a couple of walls, run for half a mile. You've escaped and you're almost home. Then a car pulls up next to you - they're back again…

Could you handle it? Most people would fall apart at this point…

You simply cannot prepare for this in a commercial gym exercising to music. Our training incorporates intense bursts of varying durations - often when you least want to do them. This is designed to prepare you for sudden stressful events, to help you keep moving and thinking correctly under pressure.

Nobody says it's easy, but we're sure you'll agree fitness that may save your life is worth the extra effort.

There are no guarantees in life, but proper training allows us to maintain our skills for longer in stressful situations. All the skill in the world means little without the mental strength to apply it, so a core value of training lies in developing a mindset that refuses to accept defeat and is determined to prevail.

Our instructors have many years of practical experience. We will help you to understand aggressive behavior, show you how to defuse situations where possible and if not, where to apply appropriate levels of force.

We also coach self-protection strategies to several outside groups.

For further information call 07870 351628