dAY IN THE LIFE OF...
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iving in a world that often places women in compromising and dangerous situations, sparked an insistent desire in me to become a physically stronger and more capable woman. As I walk into the jiu jitsu studio opposite the throngs of people enjoying a midday coffee at Old Town Italy, I am rather nervous about how to handle the decision of learning how to defend myself. The space is immaculately clean, with bright lights and thin blue foam mats covering an expanse of floor, and several punching bags hanging from the ceiling. I feel slightly intimidated, until I see Melanie's petite frame that holds confidence and muscle, greet me cheerfully! She is sharp-witted and focused, and I am here to learn from Mel what women's self-defence is really all about. After an hour of quick thinking and skilful manoeuvring, I am thoroughly awed... Mel is exceptionally graceful in her demeanour, and she sits me down to go straight to the heart of why I am here, "Engaging in this mode of fitness is all about technique and leverage, so even though I am small, I can submit a much larger person. Yes sure I am strong, but I could never out-kick or out-fight a strong man without knowing the skills that are learnt here." Mel's partner Andrew teaches jiu jitsu, whilst she handles the women's self defence and several fitness classes. The pair also teach the kids’ classes along with two other instructors. I ask about the difference between jiu jitsu and the classes she teaches, and she informs me that whilst they may seem similar, the women’s self defence classes are set with real-world situations in mind. For example, being attacked whilst getting into your vehicle, or how to escape a man that has pinned you to a wall, or more ominously, a man that has pinned you down and is hovering between your legs. I listen raptly at her logical approach, as she tells me about the main issue, "People walk around thinking that it's never going to happen to them. They walk around unaware - I always see people getting into the car whilst texting, but you should be hyper-aware
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at that moment because attackers are watching you, they're looking for an easy target." After chatting about the importance of being aware of your surroundings, Mel gestures that it's time for me to get on the mat with her. She informs me that I will understand her descriptions much more clearly once I have felt the techniques myself. We begin with a simple technique of my response of an attacker grabbing my forearm, and my instinct is to pull my arm away - which against Mel's iron grip, is entirely futile. I am taught how to extract my forearm from my attacker in a quick but effective move (that I would have never considered), and then to get away from his vicinity - the entire point of self-defence is to create the opportunity for you to escape.