‘Fear limits and cripples lives but martial arts can empower!’ says Linslade instructor

Colin Lawrence, 62, will soon be offering adults and children classes at Linslade Memorial Pavilion, with Colin determined to teach the revered Eastern traditions now that sport is making a comeback post lockdown.

The socially distant martial arts and self-defence training will open new doors whether you are young or old, and although you may not be leaping across the rooftops of Hong Kong, it could take you on a life-changing journey.

Colin said: “One of its greatest benefits - only when taught properly - is to address the physical fear of others, and to offer skills which increase body-esteem. Fear limits and cripples lives, but martial arts can empower and free the child and even the adult - my interest in self-defence came originally from being badly bullied as a teenager.

“The ‘Godfather’ of self-defence, Geoff Thompson, introduced to me the difference between martial arts and reality self-defence back in the 90s. Real self-defence is a science all of its own and has evolved hugely since then.”

He added: “I have had many occasions - very, very recently in fact - when restraint was more appropriate than violence. To do this, however, you cannot be a ‘paper tiger’. You must know that your methods will work. It often takes more courage to leave a situation and walk away than to engage brutally. But, sadly, one must train for the latter to allow the former.”

Colin’s journey into the world of martial arts began in the late 1970s, and since then he has trained in Kyokushin karate, Shotokan karate, taekwondo, Muay Thai, JKD/Kali, Japanese jiu jitsu, self-defence, self-protection, and Brazilian jiu jitsu.

He said: “Karate and judo were all that existed in 1977, and there was also Japanese jiu jitsu in Liverpool, but clubs were sparse.

“Taekwondo arrived from Korea in 1979 and my chief instructor and grading master was the man who introduced taekwondo to Europe, Master Rhee. It’s a wonderfully spectacular traditional martial art based on high-kicking and body-control. I reached 4th Dan black belt in 2004.”

Colin moved to Manchester to do teacher training at the university in 1982, where he met martial arts legends Masters Woody, Sken, Toddy and Master A, whom also introduced Thai boxing to the UK. He trained mostly with Master Woody - a name which readers may recognise as he starred with Roger Moore in The Man with the Golden Gun - and Colin was his first ever black belt in 1984.

One year later, Colin moved to Leighton Buzzard, and he is well known in the community, having worked at both upper schools, teaching subjects including French, German, PE, Financial Studies and Maths.

In his spare time, Colin also introduced his passion to many townsfolk.

“I started my own club, teaching taekwondo and Thai boxing three times a week. It ran right through to 2018 uninterruptedly, and produced 58 black belts,” he said, proudly. “One of our best was John Ritschel, 3rd Dan, who died in a parachute accident in 2012.”

In 2001, Colin started children’s clubs, while he has also run seminars, self-defence courses and taught self-defence in schools. However, make no mistake, while Colin wants students to have fun, it must be remembered that you are there to learn!

He told the LBO: “In some clubs, they allow silly banter during classes and that in itself goes against the principle.

“I don’t believe in complete silence but I do believe in appropriateness - keep in mind that you are there to train.”

Colin’s classes have not been structured yet, but he plans to teach seven to 11-year-olds, incorporating all martial arts, while those aged 12 and up (adults), will be taught standing techniques from Muay Thai and K1 together with taekwondo kicks and boxing, as well as self-defence.

Locks, restraints, take downs, throws and grappling will resume once the pandemic is over.

Socially distanced martial arts and self-defence training means practising single or combination techniques in one’s own area and no closer than two metres if with a partner. (Masks can be worn if closer.)

Classes will be limited to 11 and details will be required for Track and Trace.

Colin said: “Original training has always involved perfection of technique in one’s own space without a partner. Fitness, flexibility, self-defence, self-esteem and the ability to handle confrontation wisely: where else can you get all of that and so much more?”

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