Faced with an assailant, how would you react?

Jenna Towler follows in the footsteps of the Samurai and finds there's a right way to handle an attacker.

IF you had told me yesterday I would be able to put a 6ft, former Olympic rower on the floor in a few seconds I wouldn't have believed you.

But after a few hours in the company of Sensei Simon Pegg, from the Chesham Jitsu Club, I felt ready to take on the world.

It is every young woman's worst fear to be caught unawares and not know what to do about it, but remembering a few simple techniques from Jitsu can serve you well against violence and help you in situations where you need to defend yourself.

Jitsu is a modernised style of Ju Jitsu, the unarmed fighting style of the Samurai.

It is a predominantly defensive martial art, teaching pupils to use an attacker's momentum and aggression against them.

It is very flexible and suitable for everyone, all ages and sizes.

I learned how to fall in the right way to protect your internal organs, how to move aside gracefully and brush away a punch that is coming straight at your face. I also learned how to use just two fingers to stop someone who is trying to strangle you something that was very fun to practise.

In Jitsu, David can easily take down Goliath, or Jenna can take down 48-year-old Henry Johann the 6ft rower mentioned above.

Brazilian-born Henry says: "Jitsu is the martial art that teaches you how not to fight."

It has given him the confidence to know how to handle himself and the strength of will not to fight.

Henry admits to being hot-headed behind the wheel. Getting irate and angry was common for him but since starting his Jitsu training he has learned how to control his fury and walk away from kerb-side altercations.

He explained: "I had driven down a road the other day and couldn't get past a lorry which had stopped he refused to move when I asked him.

"He got angry and wanted a fight but I just did not want to use violence. I warned him I could handle myself and he walked away. I felt great. It gives you confidence more than anything."

Because Jitsu is learnt by practising one-on-one against a range of assailants and as it is essentially non-aggressive, it is a highly practical form of self-defence irrespective of your physique or gender. You learn a range of responses tailored to the threat you face.

Sensei Simon Pegg commented: "Pupils learn how to deal with a variety of threatening situations and develop the skills needed to avoid those situations in the first place.

"When I started Jitsu, well over 14 years ago, I found it suited my mindset and my physiology and I've never looked back. It's a very social martial art as well as being a great way to improve fitness, posture and confidence."

Sessions are held on Thursdays at the Chesham Leisure Centre from 7.15pm until 9.45pm and your first session is free until July 21.