Self defence in Christchurch, trained the way it should be
Inception Academy of Martial Arts teaches realistic self defence as part of every class group, integrated into the BJMA Zen Do Kai Freestyle curriculum and reinforced through dedicated Krav Maga components in the Senior class. Self defence at IAMA is not a one-off seminar. It is woven into the regular weekly training, taught with the same rigour as the rest of the curriculum.
Quick answers
The fastest way in. Read these first, then dive into the detail below.
- Where can I learn self defence in Christchurch?
- Inception Academy of Martial Arts in Halswell runs self defence training as part of every class. It is integrated into the BJMA Zen Do Kai Freestyle curriculum, with explicit Krav Maga components for Seniors aged 13 and over.
- Is your self defence training realistic?
- Yes. Senior classes drill weapons defence, ground escapes, and multi-attacker scenarios under realistic pressure. Technique is tested, not just demonstrated.
- Can children learn self defence at IAMA?
- Yes. Children from age 4 train age-appropriate self defence as part of every class. The curriculum builds from awareness, voice, and escape in the Juniors through to full grappling and striking defence in the Seniors.
- Do you teach Krav Maga specifically?
- Krav Maga forms part of the Senior curriculum at IAMA. Seniors aged 13 and over train Krav Maga self defence components alongside the wider Zen Do Kai system, including weapons defence and multi-attacker drills.
What you get
Programme features
Built into every class, every belt level, every interaction
Realistic technique, drilled
Wrist grabs, bear hugs, chokes, weapon defence, and multi-step escapes drilled progressively across belt ranks. Technique under realistic pressure.
Awareness and de-escalation
Self defence starts before contact. Reading situations, posture, voice, and de-escalation are taught alongside physical technique.
Krav Maga in Seniors
Senior students train Krav Maga components: weapons defence, ground defence, and multi-attacker scenarios. Modern, tested, practical.
Children-appropriate at every level
Junior and Intermediate students train age-appropriate self defence: shouting, escaping, finding adults, and managing fear before contact.
Composure under pressure
The IAMA values framework explicitly trains calmness, self-regulation, and courage under pressure. Self defence works only if the person can act under stress.
Experienced black belt coaches
Eight black belt instructors with 100+ years of combined experience. Self defence is taught by people who have spent decades stress-testing it.
What we offer
Inside the curriculum
Self defence at IAMA is integrated, progressive, and tested. Junior students learn shouting, breaking holds, and seeking adult help before any technical content. Intermediate students drill wrist grabs, bear hugs, and ground defence under controlled contact. Senior students add the full Krav Maga component: weapons defence, multi-attacker scenarios, and high-pressure decision-making. Across every level, the values curriculum trains the calmness and self-regulation that turns technique into capability.
Where to find us
Halswell venue
Te Hapua: Halswell Centre
Te Hapua: Halswell Centre, 341 Halswell Road, Halswell, Christchurch 8025, New Zealand
Self defence classes run from IAMA's Halswell dojo, Te Hapua: Halswell Centre, 341 Halswell Road. The venue serves all of Christchurch, with a particular concentration of students from the south-west suburbs: Halswell, Hoon Hay, Hillmorton, Aidanfield, Kennedys Bush, Westmorland, Cashmere, Spreydon, Wigram, and Prebbleton.
Common questions
FAQ
Inception Academy of Martial Arts in Halswell runs self defence training as part of every class. It is integrated into the BJMA Zen Do Kai Freestyle curriculum, with explicit Krav Maga components for Seniors aged 13 and over.
Yes. Senior classes drill weapons defence, ground escapes, and multi-attacker scenarios under realistic pressure. Technique is tested, not just demonstrated.
Yes. Children from age 4 train age-appropriate self defence as part of every class. The curriculum builds from awareness, voice, and escape in the Juniors through to full grappling and striking defence in the Seniors.
Krav Maga forms part of the Senior curriculum at IAMA. Seniors aged 13 and over train Krav Maga self defence components alongside the wider Zen Do Kai system, including weapons defence and multi-attacker drills.
The first four weeks of training at IAMA are free with no obligation. Book through the website and join a regular class at the Halswell dojo.
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