Fighting Fit With Happier Outlook
Newcastle Herald
Friday October 28, 2005
MARTIAL arts training is not just a way for women to improve their fitness level, the knowledge could also prove vital when it comes to self-defence.
And Kaizen Ryu is a discipline in which a weak person trains to become strong and a strong person trains to learn how to control that strength. Leading exponent Peter Kirkwood teaches Kaizen Ryu through the As Fit As Self Defence Centre which works out of the Maitland Police Citizens Youth Club. "Kaizen Ryu will not only improve your ability to defend yourself against physical attack, but will also improve your speed, timing, awareness, mobility and striking ability," Mr Kirkwood said."Sparring prepares you for a fight by exposing you to an opponent, so enabling you to experience the nerves or adrenaline rush caused by facing a higher-grade or more skilful person."Our self-defence classes prepare the student for attacks other than sparring whether they be from a choke, grab, wrestling on the ground or even if attacked with a weapon." Mr Kirkwood said women were taught to fight from the ground because, if and when attacked, that was often where they found themselves. "If a woman is attacked it's more likely she'll end up on the ground rather than be involved in a standing, face-to-face encounter. "But training isn't all about fitness and self-defence. "Training in Kaizen Ryu also develops a positive mental approach."University research indicates that people who exercise regularly show higher levels of emotional maturity, calmness and a greater ability to make accurate judgements when under pressure than those who do no training of any kind."As your fitness levels increase so will your imagination, self-sufficiency and confidence, which manifests itself in a more positive attitude to life. "This improvement occurs when you overcome difficult physical and psychological tasks.""Training in Kaizen Ryu also develops a positive mental approach."
© 2005 Newcastle Herald