Self-Defence Classes in Edinburgh

for women and girls aged 12+

We'll teach you how to recognise and avoid dangerous situations and how to defend yourself in the event that you are attacked.

Join us for our upcoming one-day self-defence workshops at Duncan Place Community Hub, in Leith, Edinburgh:

  • Saturday the 11th May 2024 from 10.30am - 3.30pm 

A delicious and healthy lunch is included in the ticket price.

Our workshops usually sell out, so please book early to guarantee a place.

aeld-defence for women in Edinburgh

Can't make this date? Join our waitlist at the bottom of the page and you'll be the first to find out about the next workshop.

You'll walk away

  • feeling more confident
  • with increased self-esteem
  • feeling more street aware and knowing how to avoid dangerous situations
  • knowing how to defend yourself
woman walking on the street

We'll teach you and your teenage girls techniques to handle an attack independently. You'll learn how to keep calm and be strategic about your response.

girls taking part in a self defence class in Edinburgh

What we will cover:

  • How to react in stressful / potentially threatening situations
  • How to keep awareness of your surroundings 
  • Basic striking techniques 
  • Some real-world scenarios: partner work 
  • Where to strike on the body of an attacker 
  • Disengagement techniques 
  • Self-defence tools and skills 
  • Identifying and avoiding risks 

What to bring:

  • A yoga mat
  • A water bottle 
  • A can-do attitude 🙂

This is a contact workshop which means you will have to physically touch other people.

But don't worry, we're not getting into any fights. Self-defence is knowing how to get out of a dangerous situation rather than try and fight.

Amanda Linekar fitandhappy personal trainer

Meet your teacher Amanda:

I started Japanese Shotokan Karate at the age of 7 and never looked back. I was hooked, I loved the culture, friendship, athleticism and self-confidence that was provided to me. Karate is all about having an open mind free of judgement and a willingness to learn. 

Karate incorporates self-defence methods from the very beginning, learning to strike and to block are the fundamentals of defending yourself.

I started helping out at my club's self-defence classes at the age of 12. As my coaching developed, I started teaching my own classes and hosted women's self-defence classes in the evenings throughout my university studies.

I've worked with police to hold self-defence workshops for female students and taught classes and workshops throughout my travels by pairing up with other martial arts coaches. 

It's incredible to see the change in someone after a workshop, they leave feeling more self-confident and usually with a smile on their face. Yes, we are learning how to defend ourselves but we do have a lot of fun in the process... it's not all doom and gloom.

When it comes to defending yourself don't panic if you haven't spent your life studying a martial art, there are some simple yet extremely effective skills that you can learn to protect yourself if the need ever arises.

Come along and enjoy the fun and educational workshop, I can't wait to see you all.

The Venue - Duncan Place Community and Enterprise Hub Leith

We're very lucky to have found this newly renovated venue. There'll be self-defence, lunch, laughter and of course coffee...

All in the company of great women.

Meet us at Duncan Place, 4 Duncan Place, Edinburgh EH6 8HW

Testimonials

Don't just take our word for it - hear the impact our classes have had on individuals from various backgrounds through these heartfelt testimonials

  • "Relaxed, informative, fantastic teacher."
  • "The trainers were both lovely, helpful, friendly, made my petrified daughter feel at ease after the first exercise, patient, explanatory. You worded everything so well, you demonstrated perfectly, showing the moves from different angles. You amended any of the errors you saw while floor walking. You were just perfect."
  • "It was fun, full of energy and very supportive and provided a lot of information and techniques with lots of time to practice. It felt very empowering."
  • "Brilliant presenter, wide variety of different scenarios & defence moves demonstrated, very clear instructions, lots of opportunity to try out moves, opportunity to ask questions, hands on help from Amanda, repetition of the moves to ensure good understanding & correct technique, pdf instructions follow up super useful and a lovely healthy lunch."
  • "Thank you. You were great! I can't wait to do another course!... my daughter came straight home and started showing her 8 year old brother what to do!"
  • "Thanks very much, it was so informative, enjoyable and fun! I feel more empowered and so does my daughter."

" My daughters and I really loved the self defence class and feel we are better equipped to deal with various unwelcome situations. "

Can't make this one? Join our waitlist for the next workshop

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