It’s a big bad world out there. Danger lurks in its corners, which means you need to be watchful in every step you take. However, everyone would agree that the best way to keep crime at bay is to arm oneself with basic self-defence skills. Here’s a low-down on a few martial arts schools in the city that helps you do just that.

Sensei Ashwin is the founder of GITT (Give it to them), a martial-art technique fashioned exclusively for women. It combines methods of karate, jujutsu, kickboxing with simple moves that use everyday things like umbrella, bags, pepper sprays and pens to help you be in control when things get out of hand. Ashwin also gives martial arts lessons in quite a few centres all over the city. You can get in touch with him at 9845396360 or shoot.fighter@hotmail.com. His website www.shootfighter.wordpress.com will give you more information if you need.

Besides Ashwin, there are few other masters who offer training on different styles of martial art as well. Nikolaj Kielland teaches the Japanese style known as “Ninjutsu”. For details call 9880359105 or email at nikolaj@bujinkan.in. You can check out his website www.bujinkan.in as well.

If it’s the Korean Taekwondo you want to pursue, then you would do well to get in touch with Muthappa (Taekwondo Association of Karnataka) at 9448456616.

Kadihai Martial Arts Academy teaches a very ancient Chinese fighting technique “Tai Chi Chuan”. Contact Sensei Jaideep Bhale Rao at 9880111712.

Another gentle yet powerful fighting style is the Japanese “Aikido”. Get in touch with Alliance Francaise for details.

Last but not the least, for the Indian martial art form of “Kalari Payattu”, the man to meet is Guru Ranjan Mullaratt at Kalari Academy of Performing Arts. He can be reached at 9945155995. You may also log on to www.kalaripayattu.org for details.

All set to protect yourself?