Martial Arts

Martial arts are a great way to learn a new skill, get fitter and challenge yourself physically in a way that’s a little different from the usual gym routine.

If you’re bored of doing the same workouts, martial arts give you a chance to train your body differently — developing strength, fitness, coordination and practical movement while learning skills you can actually use.

I teach Taijutsu — a form of traditional Japanese jujitsu — combining striking, locks, holds, throws and practical self-defence. Sessions also include pad work and conditioning, so there’s plenty of opportunity to work hard as well as learn.

For younger students, martial arts offer many of the same physical benefits, while also helping to develop coordination, balance, motor skills, confidence and the ability to work through challenges.

Whether you’re completely new to martial arts or already have some experience, training is adapted to your age, ability and goals.

For adults

You don’t need any previous experience to get started.

Sessions are structured around learning the fundamentals and gradually developing your technique, fitness and ability.

We’ll work at a pace that’s appropriate to you, building your skills progressively while introducing more challenging techniques and situations as you become more comfortable.

The aim isn’t to make every session as hard as possible. It’s to learn, practice and gradually become more capable.

And if you’re looking for a slightly more cathartic way to take out the frustrations of work, modern life or the general nonsense of being an adult, the pad work might be right up your street.

For children and teenagers

For younger students, martial arts provide a structured environment in which to learn physical skills, work with others and gradually take on greater challenges.

Training helps develop coordination, balance, movement, motor skills and strength, while also encouraging confidence, discipline and respect.

Students learn to listen, concentrate, follow instructions and persevere when something doesn’t come easily.

The emphasis is on developing good habits and building skills progressively, rather than simply rushing through grades.

Most importantly, they should enjoy coming to training.

Experience matters

Having previously run my own dojo in North London, I now offer one-to-one tuition and small group sessions for adults, teenagers and younger students.

The focus is simple: good instruction, sound technique and steady progress, whatever your starting point.

Start training

If you’re interested in learning Taijutsu, improving your fitness or exploring martial arts for your child, get in touch.

We can have a chat about what you’re looking for, answer any questions and see if the training is a good fit.

What my clients say

“My son has become so much more confident since starting martial arts with Chris. He’s naturally quite reserved, but the one-to-one sessions have given him something he can work at, improve at and feel genuinely proud of. We’ve noticed the difference outside training too.”

“We wanted something for our daughter that was physical but also helped with confidence, focus and discipline. Chris has been brilliant with her. She really enjoys the weekly sessions and she’s always keen to show us what she’s learnt.”

“I’d never done martial arts before and wasn’t sure whether it was really for me. It’s turned out to be one of the best things I’ve started. It’s completely different from going to the gym, and I’ve surprised myself with how much I’ve enjoyed learning something.”

“I was looking for something a bit more interesting than my usual gym routine. The combination of learning, self-defence and pad work makes the sessions fly by. There’s something very satisfying about actually getting better at something rather than just counting reps.”

“I didn’t realise quite how therapeutic hitting pads could be. After a long day at work, there’s something wonderfully cathartic about being told to hit something as hard as you can — and Chris is very good at making sure I don’t hit the wrong thing!”

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Adults

I’ve never done martial arts before. Is one-to-one coaching suitable for me?

Absolutely. One-to-one training is actually a great way to start because everything can be tailored to your experience, ability and pace. There’s no need to keep up with a class or worry about what anyone else is doing.

What will we actually do in a session?

Sessions vary depending on what you’re looking to learn. We might work on pad work, groundwork, movement, conditioning, self-defence and practical application. The emphasis is on learning rather than simply having a hard workout.

Can I focus on self-defence?

Yes. If practical self-defence is your main reason for training, we can make that a significant part of your sessions.

We’ll situational awareness, recognising potentially difficult situations and learning effective techniques for dealing with an aggressive attacker if necessary. The aim is to help you feel more confident, capable and prepared.

Do I need to be fit to start?

No. We’ll work with where you are. Your fitness will naturally develop as you train, and the physical demands can be adjusted according to your ability and goals.

Children & teenagers

Is one-to-one training suitable for children?

Yes. One-to-one coaching allows the training to be tailored closely to the individual child — their age, ability, personality and attention span — rather than expecting them to fit into a standard class.

What will my child learn?

Alongside martial arts technique, sessions can help develop coordination, balance, movement, motor skills and strength. There’s also the opportunity to develop concentration, confidence, discipline and the ability to work through challenges.

My child is quite shy. Would this work for them?

Often, one-to-one coaching can be a good place to start. There’s less pressure than being in a large group, and we can build confidence gradually as they become comfortable with the training.

Will my child actually learn self-defence?

Yes. They’ll learn practical skills and, importantly, how to use them responsibly. The emphasis is on control, situational awareness and good judgement rather than encouraging aggression.

Can I book sessions for siblings or friends together?

Yes. Small-group sessions can work particularly well for siblings or a couple of friends, provided the group is appropriate in terms of age and ability.

Does my child need to commit to regular training?

Progress is best when training is regular and consistent. For younger students, a weekly session is usually a good place to start, giving them enough time to learn, practise and build on what they’ve learned from one session to the next.