B A R B I C A N L I F E


Health and the City


Stephanie Ross uses personal experience, and advice from friends and neighbours to describe some of the self-defence, yoga and fitness options available close by the Barbican


Stephanie Ross Photo by Ravi Juneja www.headphoto.co.uk


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uccess and education are no indicators of a problem free family life. Most of us have one or more relatives with serious problems, the


voicing of which feels exposing and tarnishing. I’m going to raise my head above the parapet. My sister in Sussex (a talented writer and pianist) suffers with chronic alcoholism. Over the years this has become


devastating, spiraling out of control to result in violence with intervention from the police and health services. Each relative has fallen into a particular role. Mine is being the voice of reality and managing crises - requires understanding, patience, conflict resolution and the setting of firm boundaries. Sometimes none of this works and the only recourse is self defence. Stopping a close relative from


causing chaos in a family group – containing but not harming them - is tricky. Building the necessary physical fitness seems quite straightforward, but the ingrained knowledge of what to actually do takes time and practice. Finding a coach with real life experience isn’t easy, but after some searching, I met two people working near the Barbican who have this: Personal Trainer Rupert Stamp who coaches at Gymbox Farringdon; also, Alex Livingstone, who runs Pheonix martial Arts and teaches young people up to 17 years of age in Hackney, for more information: www.pheonixmartialarts.jigsy.com Rupert started boxing aged four


years, adding mixed martial arts some years later. His professional life includes ten years in security – door work and close protection. He’s certainly knows about rolling up


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your sleeves and “putting yourself in the middle of it” with very difficult people. With much of his extended family living near him in London, he’s familiar with those conflicts too. Rupert always advises to get out of a situation first but knows that it’s not always possible. Most of his clients want boxing or mixed martial arts, however, he is a very good self defense instructor for those who need it. Rupert is also starting boxing boot camps sometime in September – to find out more


email: Rupert@


boxingbootcamp.co or Enquiries@ boxingbootcamp.co Rupert’s colleague Lisa Moore has


some years of boxing experience. She is an excellent instructor for all boxing levels and has a particular knack with people lacking confidence. Her clients cite boxing with her as a very good way to stay fit and also a real confidence booster. Finsbury Judo Club has taught


juniors and seniors for 30 years now. Club founder and principal instructor Su Webster reflects the vision of Judo’s father, Professor Jigoro Kano: fitness, fun and discipline in a sport to be enjoyed safely for all ages. Growing ability results in higher


grade awards. Interactive skill games are a fun and useful tool for teaching everyone – some you’ll remember from school PE - tumbles, jumps, crash mats, Hoops, Bean Bags, rubber balls. Don’t be afraid, you can do it - with practice – I know, I’ve been going to her Wednesday evening classes and am getting better at overcoming my irrational fear of falling. Life skills


learned include


commonsense, teamwork, responsibility, confidence, patience, persistence, a


few Japanese words and physical contact with other Judoka. The practice of Ne-Waza


(Groundwork) Judo. Can be a great asset when teaching a timid Judoka. Here there is no throwing and can be developed into Tachi-waza (Standing Judo) as their confidence and interaction grows. Most potential Judoka, arrive with


a pre-conceived idea of what they think Judo is about. The internet/television/film industries contribute greatly to how “Martial Arts” are represented. Martial Artists are portrayed as


everything from heroes to Villains - funny and fearsome. Young Judoka often have an idea of who they most identify with. This is not a bad thing, they’ve thought about the persona that appeals to them most. Judo is not a Martial Art. It was


declassified in 1960’s to allow it to become an Olympic Sport. Competition Judo is another facet to Junior Judo. Judoka as young as five years old can take part in “MINI Mons and Red Belt Rumbles”. This competition is generally only at club level and used as an introduction to competitive Judo. Higher level junior competition is


usually for those about 9 or10 years. By this age the Judoka’s grade should be rising and competitive skills beginning to be developed further. When Su is asked “Will my child


like Judo”? She can only suggest that they try a couple of lessons. Judo for juniors - 14yrs & under-


Finsbury Leisure Centre Sat 10-noon; Betty Brunker Hall Tues 5.30- 6.30pm; Seniors (over 15yrs) Betty Brunker Hall Wed 7-8.30pm. Contact: www.finsburyjudoclub.co. uk/how-to-start suew@hotmail.com


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