Sal's Boxing Clinic

“Sparring and Toughening People Up”

My thoughts and feelings about certain drills and how we coach/develop students (be it boxing, MMA, K1, Karate, Kickboxing or whichever art) to handle themselves in sparring.

There’s so many better ways to deal with this then what the various posts show and want to thank .china and posts with highlighting these unsafe practices!!

I’ll be talking of my own introduction to sparring and how I developed an appreciation of safer training with and the distinction between his approach and others!!

FYI, these pages DO NOT advocate those methods at all and I’ve only mentioned them out of respect and acknowledgment as I would never have come across those videos!!

Any questions, thoughts and feelings?

Would love to hear your input!!

“Depression”

One of the biggest things I haven't actually talked about, but it's so, so important is that of depression.

As much as it can be an emotional thing, it's also has an effect mentally (in the way of how and what we think..) but also combined with a very, very physical effect on your body (too in terms of feeling heavy, lethargic, fatigued).

Studies time and time again have actually given the thumbs up to physical exercise and moving as a way of preventing as well as managing depressive symptoms.

Definitely for me, when I used to go through (my very down days), I would take myself to a class! Even though, I didn't have the pressure to mingle with people - (just) being around people helped me, and also because we did exercise together, in itself, that became a bit more motivating.

(So) one thing I hear a lot of is for some people, feel a bit intimidated or don't feel they're fit enough to go to a gym. So..... if that is you and you're feeling very uncomfortable, but realise the need and are ready for physical exercise in your lives, then drop me a message and I'll send you a personal workout, okay!

DM me on here and I’ll send u a private link!

“Coping with the Inner Struggle Following an Assault!”

Being a victim of crime has two effects:
- mental and emotional as well as
- physical.

Physically, we can get the:
- shakes/trembling,
- we can flinch if someone comes too close to us too quickly.
- we can also feel heavy / lethargic.

On an emotional / mental level, we may suffer from:
- depression after the incident,
- have feelings of anticipation and anxiety,
- feelings of fear, especially of panic and
- not feeling very safe at all.

As both the physical and emotional aspects are linked together, one can offset the other (so is there a way of breaking the vicious cycle to develop a sense of inner peace?).

We mention talking therapies (or confiding in friends and family), in an earlier post, as a way of sharing your feelings and not suffering in isolation, and to also process and cope with the event itself.

Another side of it, on another level, (of) what we could do is also perhaps look at the aspect of:

Physical exercise (by way of) how that can enhance mood and also make us feel physically stronger, and more capable, that could hopefully that offset the downward moods that we may have.

Personally, for me, as I worked through my own sense of fragility post incidents in terms of physical violence and emotional abuse!
It took a while before I could finally come to terms with everything that happened as well as move on. Physical exercise / martial arts allowed me to mingle with people so I didn’t stay alone as well as feel better due to the endorphins and a sense of accomplishment after finishing a class. Counselling provided a space to talk and to offload so feel supported so for me it was a win-win though it was a tough road to walk.

My gratitude goes to and Mark Hewett during those early years that helped give me a foundation to developing a more profound sense of deeper healing. 🙏🏽

If you have ever been a victim of crime and having a hard time.

I want to discuss about the aspect of mental health, emotional wellbeing, and also being a victim of crime, because obviously, this can have a massive, massive impact on yourselves if you've ever had the unfortunate experience of being attacked, (verbally) abused, intimidated, (also bullied) or anything to that effect.

How we are affected is very, very individual and unique to us. In those cases, sometimes it is probably advisable to NOT go through it alone and reaching out to a friend.

Consider contacting the GP and getting some help in terms of a talking therapy, which will allow you to air what's going on, to deal with the anxieties, your fears and to hopefully come through that as best as you can in order to continue living your lives.

Going beyond the video, other organisations such as victim support, and the BACP (google them to get a counsellor close to you!

If I can be of any help, please feel free to reach out!

The Benefits of Personal Training - Specialisation!

So the third and final benefit for me in particular is about specialization. So, that could be:
- Mass gain/Bodybuilding,
- Fat loss/Weight loss.

For me, my training incorporates all of that, especially when it comes to sports performance. In particular, the martial arts and competitions such as White Collar Boxing, K-1, Kickboxing events, and even grappling!

I have a big interest in personal safety and self defence and how we cope under pressure. So a lot of my training is geared to developing you psychologically and having a mental attitude in handling stress in everything.

My qualifications go back to the Institute of Human Performance for strength and conditioning for MMA, as well as various boxing qualifications and a functional striking qualification by the legendary .

So if that sounds really interesting, please feel free to get in touch and I'll be happy to help you.

The Benefits of Personal Training - Training Goals and Needs

So another benefit of personal training is about achieving goals, and that is really the desired effect from training over a period of time.

Now we want to do that efficiently, effectively, as well as safely, and that's based on the trainer's knowledge as well as practical experience of how to get the client from A to Z.

Now on the other side of goals and making sure that they're measurable and realistic, it's also about identifying training needs.

That could be, for instance, including posture! If you have poor posture, even if you do a heavy squat, we're actually increasing the risk of injury, so we really do want to address that.

Would you like a holistic approach to your training goals also identifying and incorporating your training needs into your programme?

Feel free to get in touch and I'll be happy to help where I can!

The Benefits of Personal Training - Accountability and Motivation!

A quick one today, because I wanted to introduce you to another service I offer, which is personal training.

One of the benefits of personal training really is about that motivation and accountability factor.
A key ingredient to success is consistency, and consistently working towards your goals.

(This following situation reminded me of this when a) couple of my friends several months ago said, “Well, I don't really need a personal trainer, because I know the exercises....I'll hit a class and I'll go to the gym....”

It was only the other day when they told me, or were complaining really, that they weren't feeling any fitter or happier, and were not so confident about hitting that party (that) I asked them, “Well why not?” They then told me that things (namely other life stuff) got in the way.

Now, the one thing about personal training, (is that) it will lock in your time. We work together, and work towards your own goals, which will keep you motivated and focussed!

If that sounds interesting and something that you need then just DM me and we can organise a consultation.

Q: I lack self confidence - how will self defence work for me?

(In the context of martial arts and self defence).... Really that's about if you're able to pull off a technique in a given situation.

A good coach, for one, would help you with creating situations, expose what you're not doing, what you are doing well, and give you feedback and then help you out from there.

I’d also add that having a good coach/teacher, where there is rapport, trust and the ability to communicate with you on your level is key to anyone stepping out of their comfort zone!!

Q: There is a lot of (sometimes conflicting) advice out there, so how do I know which one to take?.

There is a wealth of information out there and it can be confusing especially when you get the “technique of the month” type picture shoots!!.

Personally for me, advice falls into two main categories!.

1. Sometimes the advice could be different types of defenses against a particular attack.
(The key here is..) as long as it works for you, then that's the main thing.

2. Other types of personal safety advice, may center around awareness, current trends (such as moped crime, upskirting, knife related incidents etc) or how criminals approach you, then that's always good advice to inform and advise you...

Personally for me, once people know how attacks occur, what skills are needed then it really does enhance your ability to look after yourselves!!.

I do feel coming to a course helps bridge the gap between just reading about it and experiencing it! I do believe that’s where real learning is although some knowledge is better than nothing!.

Feel free to comment below!