T&C for tickets: NO same day refunds or moving tickets to another date UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. If you can no longer make the class with less than 24hr notice, it is YOUR responsibility to resell your ticket.
More about T&C below
Well hello! So glad to see you here ready to add some kicking and punching action to your week!
Our regular venue is unavailable on some dates, so we will be holding our Saturday class at Chisenhale Dance Space, a dance studio just off Victoria Park. Please plan your journey before arriving!
Access info: the Dance Space has about 30 steps to reach the studios.
Please bring trainers if possible!
Every week we reserve free spaces for people on a low income/unwaged, transwomen/transfems people and QTBIPOC. If this is you, and you can't get (or afford) a ticket, message @bender_defenders_ on instagram or email at the.bender.defenders@gmail.com
Who are we?
We are Bender Defenders (Caroline and Luca) and these are our Muay Thai classes.
This is a playful environment where queer and trans people come to train, make friends, have fun and explore their own strength through martial arts and partner work.
You will learn strikes, movements and defences and have a lot of fun hitting things, doing group challenges and playing games.
We have two levels for each sport
- beginner (people with very little to none experience) you will learn stance, movement and basic strikes and defences
- intermediate level: pad drills
If in doubt speak to coach Luca (the Italian one with curly hair) and he will suggest the right group for you.
What to expect:
We approach exercise playfully and with community building in mind. Participants are not asked to spar or fight each other. You will be provided with pads to hit/kick and gloves to do all the hitting with.
Everything you learn in these classes can be used in self defence, however we do not run these classes with the aim of having to defend ourselves in mind. As a community we are already very hypervigilant and we do not need reminders that we might be in danger.
The class consists of:
- Warmup (10mins)
- Introductions (names and pronouns)
- Muay Thai training, partner work (50 mins)
- Fitness/games (5mins)
- Stretching (10mins)
And then we go to the pub or the park!
Our approach to fitness:
Your best will always be enough. Please remember that it is okay and normal to find exercise challenging, it doesn’t mean you’re ‘bad at it’. It usually just means you’re pushing yourself or going out of your comfort zone. Be gentle with yourself when things feel difficult and only push yourself within your window of tolerance (we do not make assumptions about what that looks like because it is different for everyone). We appreciate that sometimes just turning up is an achievement (we’ve all been there).
Come as you are - you don't need to be ‘good at it’ or ‘be fit’. We understand everyone has their own relationships with bodies and exercise and these can often bring up complicated feelings from peoples past experiences. We avoid cultures of toxic masculinity and fitness in our classes. We do this by encouraging you to listen to your bodies, take breaks when you need it and try not to compare yourself to anyone else. You are not going to be the only one struggling with something! Many feel that way.
If you are struggling with something, give the coach a wave and let them know. We will suggest modifications or find another way to explain the movements to you.
We welcome queers of all abilities, particularly those who don't feel at home in mainstream gyms. We don't tolerate transphobia, fatphobia, ableism, racism or fascism.
NO COPS AND SOLDIERS IN OUR CLASSES.
Accessibility:
Chisenhale Dance Space is on the second floor, accessed by a staircase only, and therefore, regrettably, is not wheelchair accessible.
The staircase to the lounge and two studios has 40 steps and an uninterrupted banister on the right-hand side. There are no steps or stairs once you are on studio level. We regret that the buzzer is too high to reach from most wheelchairs.
Their external fire exit is a straight line of 40 steps with a banister along both sides.
CDS has two bathrooms, one with two cubicles, and the other with one cubicle and one urinal. Both are gender neutral.
If you have any specific access requirements please email the.bender.defenders@gmail.com