Stand Your Ground: Practical Self-Protection and Safety Skills for Modern Life
Practical self-protection skills workshop
Build practical personal safety skills and unshakeable confidence in this empowering 90-minute workshop that goes far beyond basic self-defense techniques. Through partner-based exercises and realistic scenario work, participants learn a modern approach to personal protection that combines physical…
Body Awareness / Interoception
Boxing / Controlled Striking
Communication Skills Practice
Movement Activities
Roleplay / Simulation
Trust-Building Activity
Workshop
Description
Build practical personal safety skills and unshakeable confidence in this empowering 90-minute workshop that goes far beyond basic self-defense techniques.
Through partner-based exercises and realistic scenario work, participants learn a modern approach to personal protection that combines physical techniques with conflict awareness, communication strategies, and environmental intelligence. This isn't combat training—it's about developing the awareness, positioning, and simple techniques that prevent problems before they escalate.
What You'll Learn:
Awareness & Prevention
- Reading body language and recognizing warning signs
- Confident posture and non-verbal communication
- Boundary-setting through voice and positioning
- Creating distance and exit strategies
Physical Techniques
- Release techniques from common grabs and holds
- Simple strikes and deflections (practiced safely with partners)
- Using movement and mobility to create space
Scenario Application
- Realistic situation walk-throughs
- Decision-making under pressure
- Key principles review and Q&A
All techniques are practiced with control and mutual respect. No prior experience necessary—just willingness to learn and try something new. Training intensity scales to participant comfort levels.
Benefits
1. Practical Confidence That Transfers Everywhere Learning to set boundaries physically translates directly to assertiveness in meetings, negotiations, and difficult conversations—reducing hesitation and second-guessing in professional contexts.
2. Enhanced Situational Awareness Training to read body language, positioning, and environmental cues improves everyday safety awareness while also sharpening observation skills valuable in business settings.
3. Stress Management Under Pressure Controlled practice of techniques during simulated conflict teaches nervous system regulation and clear thinking during high-stress moments—applicable to deadlines, presentations, and workplace conflicts.
4. Team Trust Building Partner-based training requiring physical trust and careful communication creates deep team bonding that goes far beyond typical icebreakers or trust falls.
5. Empowerment Through Capability Discovering you can physically handle challenging situations reduces anxiety about personal safety, freeing mental energy for creativity and performance rather than worry.
6. Conflict De-escalation Skills Learning when NOT to engage physically and how to use positioning, voice, and distance teaches valuable conflict management applicable to customer service, team disputes, and everyday disagreements.
7. Physical Fitness with Purpose Full-body workout disguised as skill training—participants leave energized rather than exhausted, having built strength and coordination through meaningful practice rather than repetitive exercise.
8. Inclusive Personal Development Appropriate for all genders, fitness levels, and backgrounds. The focus on technique over strength makes it accessible while still challenging and empowering for everyone.
Additional Experience Info
About This Workshop:
This session focuses on practical, everyday personal safety—not martial arts sport or traditional dojo training. Drawing from modern self-defense systems and my experience as both a certified protection officer and vocational safety instructor, the content emphasizes real-world applications for urban professionals.
Training is collaborative and controlled. Partners work together to learn techniques safely, with all exercises scaled to individual comfort levels. No one is forced into situations that feel uncomfortable.
I'm a 3rd dan chief instructor in Lii-Kan Jitsu with 30+ years teaching experience, certified vocational teacher (HAMK), and former security professional. I've delivered safety workshops for corporations, universities, schools, and public organizations across Finland.
Optimal group size: 10-16 participants ensures proper supervision and individual feedback during partner work. For larger teams (17-20), I recommend booking extended time or multiple sessions.
Requirements: Indoor training space with mats (gymnasium, sports hall, or large meeting room with portable mats). I'm mobile and come to your venue.
Duration options:
90 minutes (recommended): basic fundamentals with scenario work
120 minutes: Extended practice time and more scenario variations
180 minutes (half-day): Deep dive with additional topics like ground defense or workplace-specific scenarios
Available in English or Finnish.
Hosted by Chris Spencer
About the Host
About SeTs Ryu:
I'm Chris Spencer, a qualified vocational teacher (HAMK), authorized personal trainer, and certified Parkour instructor with 30+ years of experience teaching movement, self-defense, and functional fitness across Finland and the UK.
My approach combines street arts (Parkour, self-defense) with functional fitness to create practical, engaging physical education that builds both capability and confidence. I deliver sessions in English or Finnish for corporate teams, schools, and community organizations.
Training Philosophy: Experiential and Borderless Learning through interdisciplinary learning and cross-functional training—developing mind and body together through practical, inclusive programs that meet people where they are.
Every workshop is customized in real-time based on participant energy, facility capabilities, and group dynamics. With 35+ years of experience across diverse contexts, we adapt program flow, intensity, and focus to ensure an optimal experience for YOUR specific team. This adaptive expertise—not rigid scripting—is what creates memorable, effective sessions.
Workshop pricing covers instruction, program design, and standard equipment. Venue rental fees (if required) quoted separately based on location and group size. Many corporate clients prefer to host in their own facilities (meeting rooms, company gym) at no additional cost.
All prices exclude VAT (25.5%). VAT applicable per Finnish tax regulations.
More info and alternative workshops can be found on our website at: www.mindsets.eu
Travel Locations
Suitable locations depend in large part on the duration and value of the event.
Short events and distant locations may incur extra travel and accommodation expenses)
Expenses are always negotiable based on the requirements and circumstances/location ;-)
Tier 1 Workshops (20-30 minutes)
Espoo, Helsinki, Vantaa, Finland
Uusimaa, Finland (time surcharge for short demos?)
– Leap of Faith
– The Freedom Formula
Tier 2 Workshops (60-180 minutes)
Rest of Finland (+ travel expenses as needed)
– Flow State (Pure Parkour)
– Move & Think
– Rooted & Ready
– Stand Your Ground
– Risk Recognition
Tier 3 Workshops/Courses (1 > 5 days)
Europe (+ travel & accommodation expenses).
– AARM (2>5) day courses
– Team Building Action Camps
– Multi-workshop programmes
Certifications & Credentials
1. Authorised Personal Trainer (APT) @TrainerLab.
2. Parkour Instructor (VOK1) @Suomen Parkour Ry (SPY –member).
3. Self-defence Instructor since 1987 @Lii-Kan Jitsu (3rd dan chief instructor).
4. Qualified Vocational Teacher (IPTE) @ HAMK (University of Applied Sciences)
. M.Sc. Security & Risk Management @University of Leicester
. B.A. honours in Business Studies & Financial Modelling @Plymouth University
5. Certified Protection Officer (CPO) @International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO).
6. T.E.F.L. English language teaching certificate @Multi-Lingua, Guildford.
7. Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) Master Certificate @Helsingin Summer University (Instructor: Barbara Wagner).
Client Requirements
We don't have our own training hall yet, but do have a rental agreement with a local sports centre. Ideally, the client supplies their own local gym and heavier equipment which, would also be more convenient for the participants. Some workshops/courses such as the AARM course need a meeting room with projectors, whiteboards and flipcharts etc.
Past Clients
Helsinki kaupunki (classes and workshops for local schools), Vantaan kaupunki (school afternoon classes and 'Liikuva Koulu' workshops (2015,2017,2022), various schools (E-g- Kalajärvi & Viherlaakso), Summer Actio Camps at Kameleonten Sports Centre, live stage presentations for KEG Oy at the Norway Action Film Festival (NAFF) about violence in films vs. real-life self-defence and young audiences from the perspective of an educationalist..
Focus Areas
Well-being/HealthDevelopment/Coaching
Location
Monikonkatu 8, 02650 Espoo, Finland
Languages
English, Finnish
Corporate Experience
Moderate
Session Types Offered
Interactive & Passive
Past Experience Doing Sessions
Yes - Interactive
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