We tested the introductory self-defense courses at Villa M to learn how to protect yourself.

The Villa M boxing and fitness club in the 15th arrondissement of Paris is expanding its range to include self-defense classes for everyone, to help them learn how to protect themselves on a daily basis.

In a big city like Paris, it's sometimes difficult to feel safe on the streets, whether you're a man or a woman. To help residents protect themselves in the event of aggression, Villa M offers introductory courses in self-defense at its boxing and fitness club in the heart of the 15th arrondissement. This new discipline, supervised by Rémy Boussougouth, is open to all, with a limited number of 8 participants per class for personalized support.

In addition to learning the basics of how to defend yourself in high-risk everyday situations, this course helps you develop self-confidence, coordination and agility, withinteractive duo exercises. With these simple and essential protective gestures ingrained in your memory, you'll be able to stroll the streets in the daytime or evening with greater peace of mind, knowing how to react and defuse aggression.

Numerous courses are also available, including English boxing, kick-boxing, MMA, pilates, yoga and cross-training for beginners or those wishing to perfect their skills. We were able to try out this introduction to self-defence alongside Rémy ( multiple French combat sports champion), in a very small group, in the middle of a ring.

Although not for everyone, with individual classes costing 80 euros or monthly memberships costing 150 euros, you can work out in a privileged space, with individual changing rooms and towels at your disposal, and a lovely view of a tree-lined square and the Montparnasse Tower. Just a stone's throw from the latter and the station, it's the ideal place to get in a bit of exercise before catching your train, as classes only take place on Fridays at 7.30pm, when you get off work.

Over the course of an hour, we learn the basics of self-defense and a number of moves that could come in handy in the event of an attack, whether on the street or in the home. The advantage is that you can retain them easily by putting them into practice directly with your partner of the day, often another woman - gently, of course, as there's no question of using all your power without real danger!

Rémy distills useful and reassuring advice, in addition to this physical training, accessible to all morphologies, whether you do sport or not at all, allowing you to leave the course with more confidence and less anxiety in the streets of the capital. Really useful!

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