AFTER my most recent article on “domestic violence plaguing our society,” Avery “Max” Massiah reached out to tell me about a system of self-defence – Maxido – named after him and created by him especially for “the vulnerable and disadvantaged.”

And after my visit to his dojo in the compound of the Crichlow Labour College, I have no doubt about the veracity of his claim that the Maxido Street-Defence System is not only unique, but ranks among the best in the world.
I also understand why he says: “It is brutal and it is not for kids.” The system is designed for participants between the ages of 20 – 90 years old and is structured to break bones and dislocate joints.

Encounters generally last no longer than four seconds for, as Massiah laughingly explains, he does not want the elderly, in particular, tiring themselves out with lengthy exchanges.

His students hail from all walks of life and ethnic groups, but currently his oldest is 80 years old, and he is confident that she and the 400 others he has taught over the years, are totally capable of fending off attacks in little more than the blink of an eye.

“I do not teach my students to fight, I teach them to defend themselves,” he said. However, he also instructs them not to be “triggered” by hostile words and in fact to “beg” would be attackers to leave them alone.
“But once you try to harm us that’s when you have a problem,” he cautioned.

Maxido differs from other martial arts styles in that it leaves attackers in need of medical attention and ensures that they cannot resume their attack.
“We don’t leave you until we take one of your arms out,” Massiah declares, adding: “It’s effective self-defence.”

He pointed out that the arms are the most destructive limbs in an attack and thus, the defence is aimed at incapacitating them and preventing any further hostility.

My visit to the dojo showed me just how fast and effective these defensive moves are against anything from an aggressor, grabbing an arm or using a choke-hold to attack with a weapon.

I watched women defend themselves against men who were taller, heavier and in some cases younger than them. They did this with ease, actually slowing down moves so that I could see the stages and doing this out of necessity, so that they would not injure the colleague acting as the attacker.

I also saw Max Massiah’s impressive array of awards, including the one which earned him the title of “Soke” — teacher of teachers. A Grand Master himself, Soke Massiah is an eight-time Hall of Famer, seven-time Honoree in the Hall of Honour and was inducted twice into the Hall of Champions.

He is internationally recognised and acclaimed and his list of associates reads like a “Who’s Who” of the martial arts world, including leading martial arts exponents, Cynthia Rothrock, Michael Jai White and “Silver Fox.”
He also “rubs shoulders” with the original Ip Man, whose story became a movie series with martial artist, Donnie Yen, playing the part.

Participants of Maxido — recognised here, in the US, Canada and Cuba — are awarded belts and certificates according to the level of difficulty they undertake and subject to success at a final test.
This awesome style of self-defence is tailor-made for real encounters on the streets, even while sitting or lying down. A seeming disadvantage is so swiftly reversed that it can take the attacker completely by surprise.

And in a chilling statement Soke Massiah, with 52 years of experience in the study and practice of martial arts, says, “If seven out of every 10 murdered women had learnt an effective form of self-defence, at least five of them would be alive today.”

So all of you ladies, abused or not, take note. Maxido, though founded in a Brooklyn church seven years ago, is available here in Guyana to help you take back your power by defending yourselves against those who would do you harm.
Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 17:30hrs – 20:00hrs, and Saturdays from 13:00 hrs – 16:00hrs in the compound of the Critchlow Labour College. You can call/Whatsapp Max Massiah on 609 – 8132.