With Steve Davies, Head of Security at Brindleyplace
Research shows that hands-on self-defence classes, as those launched at Brindleyplace this week, can improve physical fitness as well as mental wellbeing and self-confidence, and all while building community too.*
By pursuing ‘physical fitness with a purpose’, participants are much more likely to keep up what may start off as ‘new’ physical activities into the future, while also promoting mental resilience and stress management under the careful eye of a highly experienced tutor, in this case Steve Davies, our Head of Security.
By nurturing a wider culture of safety, Brindleyplace is adding value to its commercial occupiers as well as their individual staff.
For individuals, keeping themselves safe in any situation is a skill that can be used in a variety of different scenarios. And the self-defence classes themselves take place in a safe and controlled atmosphere where people can be themselves.
Always tailored to the abilities and needs of the whole group, this approach ensures no-one is pushed beyond their capabilities or comfort zone.
The workshops are made up of one hour of scenario setting coupled with half an hour of advanced physical self-defence moves.
Participants learn essential skills such as striking techniques and escape manoeuvres. The training emphasizes mental resilience, teaching individuals how to stay calm and focused – something that is just as critical as any physical skills or natural ability.
Research finds that simply having enhanced self-confidence can help de-escalate a situation and increase the odds of avoiding something more serious*.
Steve has decades of experience as a police officer and a senior security contractor who knows how to best react to a wide range of scenarios. He has 22 years of private security experience and the same time in various martial arts, including Kung Fu and Kickboxing.
Over the last 5 years he has dedicated himself to being a practitioner of South Korean Martial Arts where he has achieved the rank of 1st dan black belt.
The classes take place in the Wellness Suite, the dedicated suite for Brindleyplace occupiers and their staff, and a facility that is growing in usage and proving its value to all occupiers and their staff.
Accessible to everyone who works across the estate – men and women, whatever age and condition – the new classes aim to not just embrace self-defence skills and awareness, but boost self-confidence and teamwork, while promoting a culture of shared community across the Brindleyplace estate.
As a place where everyone’s wellness and wellbeing is valued, developed and supported, the workshops are the latest in a long line of fitness and safety events available to those who work here.
Set up after demand from occupiers as well as being the brainchild of Steve, the new classes offer everyone who takes part a chance to find out more about how to recognise and defend themselves from unwanted situations while building self-confidence, personal health and all-round fitness.
Steve’s approach is to ensure the classes cater to the full range of ages and abilities, ensuring they are as accessible as possible to a wide audience.
*Centre for Violence Prevention: Self-Defence Increases Survival Rates
