The fine art of self-defence

While accepting that he is not an anger management expert Suhail Algosaib warns all men who think they can move like Jackie Chan that it’s not worth it, writes Anasuya Kesavan.

“There may be moments when you have to swallow pride, take care of your big ego and remind yourself of what is at stake ... but it’s worth it. Getting into situations that may end up in murder is not.”

Founder and chief instructor of the Zen-Do Bahrain Kickboxing Club in Hamala, Suhail, 35, who’s passionate about martial arts and child safety, said: “There is lot of false information regarding self-defence which results in confusion and many others living in fear. It’s not just about punching and kicking.

“Complex techniques do not work on the street. My book is a confidence-building tool. It shows real, simple and straight forward tactics and sends the message that physical technique is only 10 per cent of protecting oneself. Confidence, gait and an awareness of the goings-on around you are extremely important to avoid conflict.”

The more weak you look the more danger you are in and common among all crimes is the set-up, said Suhail.

“A criminal will usually have a routine. He will follow a person, test his vulnerability and gauge his reaction before committing the crime.

“If you have your radar on at all times you can spot and avoid this danger. Most importantly don’t look like a victim.

“Don’t walk with tearful expressions, avoiding eye contact with hands in your pockets and rounded shoulders. You have to walk with confidence as if you know what you are doing,” he said.

Father of two young children, Selma, six, and Laith, four, Suhail recently wrote in his club’s newsletter, Zen-Do Times: “Child safety is one of my obsessions. It makes me so angry when adults abuse or take advantage of children. It makes me madder to hear about a child molester getting only a one-year jail sentence, and then a few pages later you read about someone going to jail for seven years for burglary! Is it me or does that just not make any sense at all?”

Suhail warns all parents that most criminals are charmers and not the Cartoon Network variety with nasty looks and ugly faces. He said: “Eighty per cent of children are molested by acquaintances. Focus on specific scenarios rather than warning them off strangers. Bullies and rude children are often safer than the well-behaved ones.

“Paedophiles often look out for those children who are neglected and are suffering from low self-esteem.

“In our society fathers are distant authoritative figures. And, as parents, we have to change our style of parenting.

“Bullies often hang out in certain places. Children should be told to avoid those places. They must be encouraged to talk and to stand up for themselves.

“Constantly remind them that you love them. Have a ‘no secrets’ policy at home that you as parents must reciprocate. A bully or molester is most often somebody known, who knows your weaknesses and who threatens victims with death or peer pressure.”

His book The Ultimate Self-Defence Handbook, How to Defend Yourself in Bahrain and Abroad is launched tomorrow at 7pm at the Zen-Do Bahrain Kickboxing Club. There is a free companion CD that boasts seven self-defence secrets.

A self defence video presentation can also be accessed on Suhail’s blog –

www.suhailalgosaib.com

Suhail’s wife Alia Almoayed is the successful author of I Want Healthy Kids which is getting translated into Arabic by Jarir Bookstores in Saudi Arabia. It is available on Amazon.