On 30 May 2009 the Bristol School of Self Defence ran a Knife Defence Seminar for Women, taught by guest instructors Kevin O’Hagan and Soeli Devane.  World-famous Kevin O’Hagan is the mentor behind the techniques taught by the Bristol School of Self Defence, and is widely considered to be a walking encyclopedia on the subject of martial arts.  Soeli Devane is an experienced self protection instructor under Kevin, as well as running her own Amazon Total Body Workout classes and training in mixed martial arts.  

According to the Home Office, the most common cause of female homicides across the UK last year was by sharp instrument.  Therefore, the aim of this exclusive seminar was to teach women both the theory and practical elements of knife defence skills.  It taught women how to avoid becoming a victim of knife crime, and also how to fight back and win should an attack occur.

The following review of the seminar was written by Caroline Tovey (student of the Bristol School of Self Defence):

When I was really little, my Mum told me that if Santa caught me awake on Christmas Eve, something really bad would happen.  Somehow, I assumed this would mean that he would garrotte me.  Of course, I was at the age when I didn’t know the word for it (twenty three or so), but the image was there.  I got older and found out that Santa didn’t exist (sorry everyone), but then knife crime took its place.

I know that your chances of being stabbed are not as high as the media would have you believe.  I know that your chances of being stabbed if you are not carrying a knife are really low, but there is still something about the concept of being stabbed (or cut) that makes me feel, well, a bit like I did as a kid waiting for Santa.

Luckily, on the 30th May, Kevin O’Hagan and Soeli Devane put on a Women's Knife Defence Seminar.  It was a scorcher, the weather couldn’t have been less like Christmas, so I was off to a good start.  I had a massage from Soeli the day before and I walked to the class constantly trying to correct my posture before she did.  I still found myself pulling my shoulders down and sitting to attention when she came in.

Maybe I’m flattering myself, but I think they have read my previous reviews.  My reason for this egocentric assumption is that Kevin has definitely upped the stakes in the joke department.  Watch out Al Peasland, he’s coming for you!  

Kevin opened the seminar with an interesting, specialist, striptease to illustrate the reason as to why an edged weapon might be the one of choice.  It proved the point, but may need further work before he can get a slot with the hen parties on the Waterfront.   Soeli demonstrated the moves on Kevin; doing the whole thing in a dress, managing to look summery and scarily hard at the same time.  I still haven’t got over how someone so softly spoken can immediately command an authoritarian shouty-sweary voice.  If I was compiling a list of people I wouldn’t fight, Soeli and Kevin would both be on it, mind you, that list would be pretty long, so let’s just say, they would be near the top.

We had to choose our weapons, I delved deep into the Asda bag (they have got to be mocking me!) only to pull out the flimsiest looking plastic knife known to womankind.   Then it all kicked off.  Three hours of hearing women shout obscenities at each other might not be some people’s idea of fun, but clearly, none of these people were in this particular seminar, or if they were, they were too busy swearing themselves to notice.

We all got to kick and hit Lea and Paul, with one of the group getting an exclusive opportunity to batter Tony.    I’m beginning to think this is actually what I pay my money for.  Was it really necessary for Paul to tell us he was wearing a groin guard?  (This surely translates as “knee me REALLY hard” to most women?) I bet he wasn’t really wearing one.  
The afternoon did seem to focus more on men’s bits, by this I mean punching and kneeing them of course.  I know that Kevin’s advice to bite whatever falls in front of your face is sound, but the thought of it did leave a bad taste in my mouth.  (Watch out Al Peasland, I’m coming for you!)

Kevin ended the session by asking if we all felt more confident that we could get away if someone threatened us with a knife. It’s hard to say how you would feel in an actual situation, but the seminar did show that someone holding a knife is not necessarily as powerful as you might assume they are.  After that seminar I think I’d even be ready for that chunky, beardy bloke with the hat and the reindeer if he felt like starting something.  I’m putting forward my Ladies Santa Yielding Garrotte Seminar suggestion just in case though, like they always say, you can’t judge an attacker by the way they look.  

Caroline Tovey

We’d like to say a big thank you to Kevin and Soeli for putting on another awesome seminar.

To view the rest of the photos from the seminar click here:  Women’s Knife Defence Seminar Gallery

To find out more about Kevin O’Hagan, learn about the classes he runs, or purchase one his many excellent books and DVD’s, click here:
www.kevinohagan.com

If you’re interested in attending Soeli’s Amazon Total Body Workout, click here for further info:
Amazon Total Body Workout Facebook Group