Some might say that Bruce Lee has a lot to answer for, but there is no denying the satisfaction that a Belt under a professional master can bring, not to mention the confidence it offers in these times of unpredictability, especially for women and children.

Ringsend Community Centre has a very rich martial arts tradition and has been going for thirty years. At this Dojo (dojo is a martial arts word for a place of contest) Fran Nangle, teaches a form of self-defence known as WADO, translated WADO means the ‘Way of Peace’ on Monday at 6.30 to 7.30 for juniors and Wednesday from 8 to 9 for seniors (€3 an hour for children and €5 an hour for adults).

Fran, the President of the Irish Karate Advisory board, recognised by IMAC, with his team of six black belts will put you through your paces. The team are Sheryl Kelly, a black belt, James Duffy, a fourth dan, Brian Feeney, a third dan and Robbie Byrne, also a third dan. They teach at the Irishtown Stadium from 6 to 7 pm on Thursdays for children and 12 to 1 pm and 1 to 2 pm on Sundays for adults.

As far as accolades go, the club has its fair share, with 6 medals for the juniors and 7 for the seniors in Germany two years ago. There was also another excursion to Hungary last October when four local children entered the world championships, and in November eight children from Ringsend went to the British championships.

Not too far away at 1 Park Lane East at the rear of 206 Pearse Street is another Dojo. The GYO FU KAN to be precise otherwise known as the Irish Aikido Federation. Here John Rogers, a 6th Dan Shidoi, founded the NaturalHealth Training Centre where the classes are taught Aidido.

Aikido is basically coordination of mind and body for self defence, and it differs from WADO in that it uses weapons as well as hand-to-hand combat. Introductory classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7.45 pm.

Basic classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.45pm, Wednesday and Friday at 6 pm and Intermediate classes are on Monday and Wednesday at 7.45pm. Advanced classes are on Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm and Yoga on Mondays at 6pm.

Not too far away, The Public Service Aikido Club, at St. Andrew’s Resource Centre, 114 to 116 Pearse Street meets. This club was opened in 1976 and was originally Irish-speaking.

Training is again in the Aikido tradition with regular visits from instructors from overseas and the members are encouraged to visit other dojos. New members pay €30 for eight classes and €25 for an annual membership fee after this. This covers insurance for the year and you may undergo grading if you wish to.

The classes are held on Mondays at 7.30 to 9.30pm, Thursdays at 7.30 to 9.30pm, Saturdays 11 to 12am when weapon training is taught and Saturdays from 12 to 1.15pm for the more advanced members and there is a beginners’ course to be announced this Autumn.

For more information contact:www.aikidoinireland.org, Ringsend Community Centre at 6604789, the Irish Aikido Federation at 6718454 or 0872629610 and St. Andrew’s Resource Centre at 6771930.