Self Protection course to help empower Saddleworth women

A UNIQUE opportunity for women to learn self protection is coming to Saddleworth.

Jessica Jones, who owns and runs Amazonia School of Self Protection, is starting to teach weekly lessons at Lydgate Parish Hall, starting on Tuesday, January 27.

The aim of these classes is to ‘empower, educate and enable’ all women, regardless of age, size, ability, previous training, or physical restrictions, to protect themselves.

Jess explained: “I was 43 years old when I decided to begin training in Krav Maga. This was born out of a situation I found myself in without a solution or any skills.

“With no previous experience in anything combative or physical, I started Krav Maga classes in 2016. This training went on to become a huge part of my life.
“After years of regular, rigorous training, I was encouraged to advance my knowledge and skills into teaching.

“The physical element of what I teach follows the principles of Krav Maga, a self protection system created in Czechoslovakia in 1944. However, the sessions will encompass a holistic 360-degree approach to self-protection and personal safety.”

Amazonia School of Self Protection was created in July 2021, with a prime focus to help those who need it the most.

Jess added: “Following my initial qualification into becoming an instructor, I have since travelled and taught both nationally and internationally, working with some of the UK top instructors.”

As well as working in the corporate sector, offering training courses to staff, Jessica has also worked in schools and universities across the North West, providing vital and necessary self protection skills to young girls.

She explained: “Self protection embodies every aspect, as there is so much more involved in this subject, it’s not just the physical skill set.

“Amazonia School of Self Protection teaches avoidance of danger, verbal de-escalation, the psychology of violence and the signs to look out for, amongst many other subjects.

“The classes also deliver everything from teaching and understanding awareness to being able to generate power in striking from a disadvantaged position and knowledge on how to utilise yourself and your environment to remain safe and protected.

“I realised in our area there is nothing like this for women. There are lots of martial arts clubs, teaching boxing, karate, and jiujitsu, which are all great to train in, although they have sports rules, competitions and belt systems. Self protection is very different and should be recognised as such.

“As the former President of two branches of Women’s Institute, across Saddleworth, it is still my passion and drive to continue to help women, by providing a platform where they can learn how to protect themselves, in a safe and relaxed environment.

“Although what is being learnt and taught is that of a serious nature, classes are engaging, fun and interesting.”

These classes have been arranged by popular demand following Jess’s successful Self Protection and Personal Safety courses in Calderdale and Saddleworth last year.

The classes will run weekly from 7.45pm to 8.45pm. Cost is £8.50 per person per class (first class free).

All women and girls (aged 14 upwards) are welcome, which provides a great opportunity for mums and daughters to train together, young women going off to university, people who train or travel alone, or just a way to meet like-minded women.