Embrace self-initiative.
Free Self-Defense Training Sessions in Astana Empower Residents
In the heart of Astana, Kazakhstan, residents like Pavel YURKOV and Rustem MUSIN are benefiting from free self-defense training sessions. These sessions, organised as part of the "Start with Yourself" project, have been taking place for the past three years under the guidance of MMA World Champion Vasily TAKHTAI.
Pavel YURKOV, a Moscow resident, shared his positive impressions of the training sessions, mentioning that he started attending due to a friend's recommendation. He expressed his desire to gain skills in martial arts and was particularly impressed by the values and dynamics within Vasily TAKHTAI's team, having recently met the champion.
Rustem MUSIN, an Astanachan, echoed Pavel's sentiments, expressing his satisfaction with the sessions and adding that he also attends free sessions at a gym reserved for law enforcement officers, emergency situations, and service 103 personnel. He noted a significant improvement in his physical fitness and endurance since joining the classes.
The trainers approach these sessions with a fighting spirit, ensuring that old notions about being forced to participate are left behind. Conducting training outdoors can be easier, as the trainer noted, because the walls don't bear down on you. The sessions are held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 19:00 to 21:00.
The sessions are open to everyone, including children, adults, people with disabilities, and professional athletes. They are taking place in Triathlon Park and "Koktal" in the capital, as part of the "Astana - City Without Drugs" campaign, until September 1st. Doctors are available to provide medical assistance if needed during the sessions.
The Department of Physical Culture and Sports of Astana Akimat has created 180 sports facilities in 2024 to promote mass sports in the capital. The self-defense training sessions form a part of this initiative, contributing to the broader objective of empowering citizens with personal safety skills and promoting physical fitness.
While direct information on the history, objectives, and impact of these free self-defense training sessions is limited, the broader context of national defense modernization suggests growing community interest and institutional support for combat and defense training. The sessions could be aimed at enhancing individual and collective security, though concrete impact data is not readily available.
Mass sports events, including self-defense classes, are held regularly in the capital, reflecting a structured environment for skill development. For instance, there are ongoing martial arts training camps and competitions involving local fighters in Astana.
In summary, free self-defense training sessions such as karate and martial arts are available in Astana and likely aim at public empowerment and skills development. The sessions provide an opportunity for residents to improve their physical fitness, learn self-defense skills, and contribute to broader national resilience via grassroots security awareness.
In the context of the free self-defense training sessions in Astana, it's interesting to note that these sessions not only focus on empowering residents with self-defense skills but also promote health-and-wellness through fitness-and-exercise, as evidenced by Rustem MUSIN's improvement in physical fitness and endurance. Furthermore, the diverse range of participants, including professional athletes, suggests a connection between these sessions and the sports community in Astana.
