BENGALURU: Yoga and fitness centres hold self-defence classes for women as city sees increasing attacks on them Hiranmayi Khoday , 19, is a confident girl on the streets thanks to self-defence classes that she has been learning at her yoga studio.In spite of her thin frame, Khoday says she can overpower people who may seem stronger because of reflexes developed during yoga and self-defence
lessons.
«My confidence levels on the streets are much higher than my peers as I know
that I can react to save myself during a distress situation,» says the management
student.
As safety on Bengaluru’s streets becomes a major concern, more women are
learning simple self-defence techniques that will equip them with handy go-to
tools in a crisis.
That’s in addition to pepper sprays. Often, women fail to get the spray out on time
because of the suddenness of crimes that leaves them.
That’s in addition to pepper sprays. Often, women fail to get the spray out on time
because of the suddenness of crimes that leaves them stunned. This is where a
trained body and mind comes handy , making self-defence a natural reflex
action.
To drive home the importance of women’s safety in public spaces, Gympik, an
online fitness discovery platform, over the weekend hosted Soul-O-Fit, a
workshop focused on the basics of self-defence. Nearly 300 women participated.
Akshar Power Yoga Academy too organised a workshop in self-defence over the
weekend for about 150 women. The academy imparts Yudh Kala, which includes
martial art techniques for self-defence as part of its yoga training. «In the light of
recent events, we are focusing on basic self-defence techniques for immediate
release from sudden attacks,» said grand master Akshar, referring to the attacks
on women during new year celebrations in the city.
He suggests a simple technique: Use an attacker’s body against him by pushing
him down in the direction he is moving in towards a potential victim. Smita Nair,
41, a real estate professional, lists rear choke and arm bar as her favourite selfdefence tools. She began learning mixed martial arts and self-defence a year ago as she felt the city’s public spaces becoming increasingly unsafe.
«During our classes we are trained to fight opponents and this comes handy
when the situation arises. «During our classes we are trained to fight opponents
and this comes handy when the situation arises, because if you are not trained,
your body and mind are not equipped to react,» Nair says.
