KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a country where being a victim of violence is an all too common reality, martial arts instructor Matthew Auld says Jamaicans need to take their safety into their own hands.

“We live in a country where everybody has a story about getting robbed or knows somebody getting robbed. And it’s a very sad and unfortunate thing… where at any given time you could be the victim,” said Auld, head instructor and co-owner of Iron Lotus Academy of Martial Arts, located at the Chinese Benevolent Association in Kingston.

Auld is adamant that martial arts is not just about fancy moves or movie-style combat, it’s about survival.

“It’s the fundamental right of every human being to learn how to protect themselves,” Auld said.

He pointed to the experience of one of his female students as a real-life example of how effective martial arts training can be.

“She came to us and she said she’s so happy she started because she was getting into a taxi, and she was on her phone, and as soon as she came on her phone, somebody reached in to try and grab it,” Auld shared.

“Just from having some level of awareness and seeing that, she was able to deflect this arm and grab down to her arm,” he continued, demonstrating his student’s action to protect herself, adding “and she started punching him in the face, just out of instinct… she just started hitting him in the face and he let the phone go and run off.”

“That was very shocking to her,” he added, “because she didn’t think that these things would have kicked in naturally for her.”

Auld began martial arts as a teenager, inspired by legendary martial artists Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee and the Shaw Brothers. He said his smaller frame also played a role in him wanting to learn how to defend himself.

Matthew Auld, co-owner of Iron Lotus Academy of Martial hitting a punching bag (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

“ I’m small in stature …I was never tall and I don’t think I’m going to be at this stage of my life,” he joked. “I wanted to know how to handle myself… being able to stand up and move around with confidence is something I always wanted.”

At Iron Lotus, students can choose from disciplines including Chinese kickboxing, Muay Thai, Sanda, Dutch-style kickboxing, and No-Gi Jiu Jitsu, all of which incorporate realistic combat techniques suitable for self-defense.

“Once you’re doing some kind of combat art that is teaching you techniques that involve practicing with another person …blocking techniques, striking techniques, defensive moves, offensive moves …and you’re engaging in some sort of combative training, then you’re learning to defend yourself,” Auld explained.

He also addressed a common misconception.

“People get confused and say karate, taekwondo … that’s martial arts … and they think about somebody in a gi doing all these fancy moves. But martial arts means the art of strategy, the art of fighting… the art of war,” he said.

Matthew Auld demonstrate self defense technique with Sje Candice De Lisser  (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Auld believes martial arts offer different benefits depending on the student. For men, it can help channel aggression and teach emotional control. For women, feeling empowered, stronger, confident and capable, that they can help themselves and they don’t have to rely on somebody,” he said.

Sje Candice De Lisser demonstrating a kick to the chin on Matthew Auld  (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

And despite the fear that learning to fight will make one more aggressive, Auld believes the opposite is true.

“When you learn about fighting and you learn combat skills, the last thing you want to do is engage in fighting because you realise how much damage can be done to somebody… People that get into fights and confrontations are people that don’t have training,” he said.

That’s why Auld supports the integration of martial arts into schools, where he believes it could reduce violent behaviours and teach discipline from a young age.

Matthew Auld explaining the importance of integrating martial arts in the school curriculum  (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

For those interested in training, Auld urges people to do their research.

“Try a few schools, go and do an introductory class, get a feel for the environment… make sure they’re professional and know what they’re doing,” he advised.

As for red flags, Auld warned, “If you go to somebody that’s supposed to be an expert and immediately they shut down any questions or get offended, I think that’s a red flag.”

In terms of affordability, Auld said martial arts classes are generally priced similarly to gym memberships, but the public’s lack of awareness has limited participation.

“There aren’t that many martial arts schools around or that are as highly publicised as maybe a gym,” he explained.

Still, for those willing to seek them out, the benefits are invaluable from increased awareness, reflexes, balance and agility, to a better sense of confidence and control in the face of danger.

To wrap up his message, Auld demonstrated a few techniques alongside martial artist Sje Candice De Lisser, showing Observer Online practical moves that could save a life.