Workshop gives children and adults self defence skills

On Thursday, there will be a Free self-defense seminar for teenagers and adults from 13 years at St Paul's Hall in Napier, run by Shotokan Karate Hawke's Bay. Photo/Paul Taylor.

Equipping people to deal with a situation when it happens is the focus of a free self defence workshop, hosted by Shotokan Karate Hawke's Bay.

Chief instructor, as well as chairman and chief instructor of AJKA-International, Edmond Otis said "everyone is concerned about personal safety, everyone is concerned about the safety of their families and their loved ones."

"It is about protecting yourself from real dangers but also if you feel you have some skills, you spend a lot less of your time being anxious and fearful."

"Every interaction is potentially dangerous, but controlling what you do and recognising when a situation may be getting bad , not only protects you but reduces a lot of stress and anxiety", Mr Otis said.

On Saturday, about 20 participants aged between 7 and 12 years took part in the group's first workshop designed for children.

The workshop comes after issues of people bothering school-aged children and bullying became particularly prevalent over the past year.

"The one for kids went really well. We talked about bullying, we gave them some inter-personal skills and there seemed to be a really positive response."

He said participants will walk away from these classes with practical self-defence techniques, as well as how to read social situations so that they understand quickly if they are in a dangerous situation and then how to divert or change things.

"It is as much about psychological factors as it is physical factors. You can do a lot to protect yourself if you understand some of the inter-personal dynamics."

On Thursday, Mr Otis is hosting another free workshop, this time for teenagers and adults, from 13 years. The session will last for about an hour.

It will be held at Napier's St Paul's Hall at 7pm.

For more information visit: http://www.shotokankaratehawkesbay.co.nz/