BARNES man Peter Seth, 58, is a real life Mr Miyagi.

For those of you who've never seen 1984's classic film The Karate Kid – let me explain.

Softly-spoken Mr Miyagi is a martial arts master who helps a young school lad (Daniel, san) to beat the school bullies and get the girl using a lot of karate magic.

And Peter Seth is an equally mild-mannered, unexpected badass who can teach anyone to look after themselves while staying firmly within the law.

Peter started learning martial arts when he was joined a judo class at the age of 10. After trying all different kinds of disciplines, he now focuses on his firm favourite, aikido.

Aikido is a Japanese martial art used to defend while protecting the attacker from injury.

By cunningly redirecting the force of the attack instead of facing it head on, the victim can gain the upper hand and escape.

A lot of the movements are similar to dance moves, and don't require muscles or brute force – in fact, a lot of the moves are based on principles of harmony and energy flow.

With that in mind (I am a real-life feeble weed), I headed off to my first Aikido self defence class to give it a whirl.

I immediately changed my mind about giving it a whirl when Peter arrived with two burly men, John and Chris, who were both built like the proverbial brick house.

But there was no escape and black belt Peter was quick to reassure me that the session would involve nothing too complicated or violent.

This would have been much more comforting if John and Chris, who are both taught by Peter, had not begun to chuck each other about like basketballs in the background.

Along with the other students, Pam and Funmi, we got to work.

The first lesson was all about personal space, which involved learning to put my arms out in front of me should someone attack, and how to step out of someone's grip.

I was really struggling until Peter explained that I should try to avoid using any strength since the less I tried to do, the more effective it would be.

Peter's method of teaching was relentlessly optimistic: he showed me move after move, throwing John and Chris about like rag dolls, and followed each one up by smiling and saying 'You could do that!"

Could I? Apparently I could, and with a little help I was cautiously dancing about and making grown men fall over by pressing on their wrists and arms.

I felt a bit mean when the moves worked and kept apologising but Peter duly reminded me: "It's not mean – it's your life you're defending."

After that I threw caution to the wind and began to release my inner lunatic.

My absolute favourite move was the following – the "attacker" (Chris) grabbed me around the throat and I got to nip his triceps in an evil way to makes him let go.

Peter also fed me lots of tips about eye contact and facial expressions to distract attackers and get the upper hand.

My last move was another dancing hip-popping trick to knock the opponent over if they rush at you.

The hour went past in a flash and I felt elated by the end of it.

Peter said: "The most important thing that women can learn from this is awareness. It's about judging situations before they arise.

"It's much better to be able to run away than to get in a fight. But if the worse happens you have to keep yourself within the law but make it count so you stay safe."

Ladies, you've got to try it.

* Peter Seth teaches self defence for women of all ages at the Sunderland Health and Racquets Club every Tuesday night from 6pm to 7pm.
For more information call Peter on: 07734678992 or email: psethp@yahoo.co.uk

Alternatively, call the Sunderland Health and Racquets Club at Doxford Park on: 0800 358 5858

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