We held our second class last night, thanks to all who attended, it was another fun session. Firstly I’d like to share a little review which we just received from someone who attended our class for the first time….
“Both Chris and Kerry are excellent at what they do. Their combined expertise in health and fitness with self-defence shone bright throughout the class. Key breathing techniques were integrated throughout the session that would help anyone act quickly if you were to be faced with an uncomfortable confrontation. I would highly recommend this class for the perfect mixture of self defence to begin and holistic massage techniques to end the session” – C. Hickey
Our session last night involved many of the signature elements of breath work and exercises which will run through most classes, we will change things up and present new challenges or activities each time, but our message is always the same. Our approach to self defence and stress management is quite simple but in order to be effective it needs re-enforcing with repetition. The habits or instincts that our training aim to achieve are the ability to relax and breathe in times of tension, stress or emergency, to detach emotion from reactions to those same situations and reacting or moving away from danger in a relaxed and non reactive way.
It is clear how these elements can be helpful in a wide range of stressful and anxiety inducing situations, we cannot expect to learn this in one or two sessions, attending regular class and practicing the awareness and posture techniques in day to day life will build these habits and instincts until they become second nature to you.
This week we also introduced a practice knife, the knife used looks metallic which makes things feel a little more realistic, which is good for training, however, the knife is symbolic of the most stressful/ anxiety producing situation you may face. We discussed the fact that even with some skill, trying to get a knife away from an attacker is unrealistic and dangerous. We practiced ways to move past smoothly without indicating our intention to move, distraction techniques which would allow us time to get away, safely and smoothly moving to a safer situation with confidence rather than hesitating and freezing. The training in exercises like this will provide us with tools to deal with physical attack, but also mental or emotional stress, pressure or attack.
These instincts and the deep strength built from the 4 pillar core exercises which we encourage practice in every day are what we hope you will take away from our sessions. We also finish each session with some massage techniques, receiving these will leave you feeling more balanced at the end of class, giving these techniques will challenge your balance and comfort zone in working closely on another person, using your bodyweight to create pressure on the persons muscles using your hands, feet and sometimes knees.
If you need more incentive than these benefits to join us for class…I am offering a 10 euro discount from your first treatment with the barefoot therapist for anyone who has attended one of our classes. Click the link here to book your appointment
If you have any questions about our sessions, send us a message on the contact form, or call Chris on 0894735910
The Barefoot therapist 