Unbreakable Self-Defence

On Sat 5th Sept, I’ll be delivering a women’s self-defence session at In Her Steps' Women's Wellness & Empowerment Charity Event.
I’ll be teaching alongside some amazing instructors who are bringing you a whole day of different movement classes, from yoga and heels to belly dancing and more!

Every penny raised will be go towards Women's Aid and Women for Women International❤️

Our self-defence session is suitable for everyone, no matter what your ability, age or experience.

Come and pick up some useful skills and leave feeling empowered!

Book my class alone, or grab a full-day pass and try a bit of everything:
https://bookwhen.com/inhersteps

Can't make it? You can still make a difference by donating here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/inhersteps-womensempowermentcharityevent2026

Only 4 more places available on our Empowerment Self-Defence for Girls workshop!

Let’s celebrate what makes our girls the interesting, unique individuals that they are, so that they can identify when situations don’t feel comfortable and assert their boundaries with confidence without bending to peer pressure!

When? Sat 5th Sept
What time? 9am-11.30am
Where? St Anne’s Community Hall, Letchworth Road, Leicester

Book your daughter's place here:
https://www.unbreakableselfdefence.com/empowerment-self-defence-for-girls

I often work with clients who have experienced freezing when frightened and then blame themselves afterwards for not doing more.

They often ask me, “Why didn’t I fight back?” or “Why didn’t I leave?” — as though freezing was a choice.

Freezing during trauma isn’t failure — it’s survival.

When we face a threat, our nervous system reacts faster than conscious thought. While many people have heard of the 'fight or flight' response, the body can also freeze, go still, become unable to speak, feel detached, or automatically comply.

These responses are not choices. They are reflexes designed to protect us in moments of danger.

For many survivors, understanding this can help shift the question from “Why didn’t I fight back?” to “How was my body trying to protect me?”

Read more in my article here:

“Why Didn’t I Fight Back?” Understanding the Freeze Response to Fear "If I freeze, I've failed."Freezing is one of the most misunderstood survival responses. Many people believe that if they didn't fight back or run away during a frightening experience, they have somehow "failed." I will never forget the story of one of my first clients who was sexually assaulted at....

When we think about self-defence, we often imagine physical techniques for striking or escaping. Those skills matter, of course. But self-defence can offer something much wider than a set of emergency responses. Taught in the right way, it can become a practical, empowering and supportive tool for people actually recovering from traumatic experiences such as assault or abuse.

I've seen it happen many times with my own clients and students, in both self-defence and martial arts; watching people grow with confidence and shed old beliefs that no longer serve them, is one of the joys of my work.
In this article, I've gone through the various ways in which learning self-defence - when taught with care and sensitivity - can become a valuable part of the healing journey and a powerful step towards renewed confidence and resilience. You can read the article here: https://www.unbreakableselfdefence.com/post/how-self-defence-can-support-healing-after-trauma

How Self-Defence Can Support Healing After Trauma Practical skills, emotional confidence and a safer connection with the bodyWhen we think about self-defence, we often imagine physical techniques for striking or escaping. Those skills matter, of course. But self-defence can offer something much wider than a set of emergency responses. Taught in the...

One question I’m often asked in classes is why we practise palm-heel strikes instead of punching with a closed fist. It’s a great question, especially because clenching our fists can feel like an instinctive response when we are frightened or under pressure.

The problem is that punching without protection can easily injure the small bones in the hand. Boxing gloves are designed to protect the hand during sport, but in real-life self-defence we want to use the strongest parts of the body in the safest and most effective way possible.

That’s why the palm heel is such a useful technique. The base of the palm is strong, natural and much less likely to get injured, while still allowing someone to create space and interrupt an attack if they need to. In a self-defence situation, it can be directed towards vulnerable areas of the face, such as under the chin or under the nose, to help create an opportunity to get away.

In empowerment self-defence, we always focus on using strong parts of the body against vulnerable areas, giving participants practical tools that are simple, realistic and effective.

Lovely feedback from a recent attendee of our last 6-week course in Women's Self-Defence.

The next course starts 13th September - for more information and to book, visit https://www.unbreakableselfdefence.com/womens-self-defence-5-week-course

Can self-defence be part of healing after abuse?

This week, I was inspired by a BBC article about Counter Force, a self-defence organisation in Wales offering supportive sessions for survivors of abuse.

What really stood out was their focus on creating a safe, supportive space where humour, laughter and community can all play an important role in healing. That sense of peer-to-peer connection is a key part of trauma-informed practice, helping participants feel understood, supported and less alone.

Their work highlights something I feel passionate about: self-defence can be about much more than physical skills — it can help build confidence, connection and recovery from trauma.

'Self-defence classes saved me after being abused' A self-defence class is helping those who have experienced abuse regain their confidence.

Just a friendly reminder — there’s only one day left to book a place on our Empowerment Self-Defence for Girls workshop at the discounted early bird price of just £10. We’d love to see you there, so don’t miss your chance to join us!

I'm excited and privileged to be running a self-defence session at local fundraising event organised by raising money for the charities and

Sat 5th September - put the date in your diary ladies! x