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    • Massage For Burn Victims.
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Realistic Self-Defence Training

Realistic self-defence techniques for women and men!

The benefit of learning real street self-defence techniques is to survive an attack and live to see another day. Ray's training I have done over the years all come together for my self-defence and massage treatment I do. (If Ray can help, please get in contact with him.) 


Please text for a free booking or more information to 0435-626-343. 


  1. Ray is also undertaking Psychotherapy to help with awareness of various emotional and psychological challenges, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, that can lead to PTSD if not treated, as well as behaviours and more. (Non-clinical) 
  2. Ray has done a diploma in Psychology to develop a deeper understanding of the human mind and behaviour. (Non-clinical)
  3. Ray has done a certificate in PTSD to get a better understanding of this area.
  4. Ray has done a certificate in counselling skills.


Ray wants women to survive an attack, not be victims. If you are a mum or dad and would like to train with your daughter or son, or husband and wife, then please contact me. 


Testimonial from a lady who was a DV survivor and has PTSD. 


Ray has been my massage therapist for around 5 years. Recently, he began helping me with exercise and self-defence, and through this, I have gained so much self-confidence, grounding and reduction of fear after experiencing DV. Ray has been a vital part of my ability to overcome PTSD. (Name withheld due to DV survivor)


I have a lot of ladies I have worked with over the years who have PTSD due to violent relationships.


Please text for a free booking or more information to 0435-626-343. 


If you are a family man wanting to learn to protect your family, then please get in touch with me. 


I have a Working With Vulnerable People Registration

  • Positive Outcome.
  • Expiry date: 15/04/2030


Ray doesn't believe in teaching unrealistic moves like some Traditional martial arts do; just because the moves have been passed down through the ages doesn't mean they are good for 2025.

  

Over the past 5 decades, Ray has studied countless martial arts systems and still does to this day. He has spent decades designing a self-defence system that is rooted in the psychology of human behaviour. Due to what our bodies go through when attacked, the human body's three stages of fight-or-flight are:

  • The alarm stage: During this stage, the central nervous system is ramped up, preparing your body to fight or flee.
  • The resistance stage: This is the stage in which the body attempts to normalise and recover from the initial elevated fight-or-flight response.
  • The exhaustion stage: If the first two stages occur repeatedly over time, such as when under chronic stress, the body feels exhausted and begins to break down after an attack.


Physical signs that can indicate that your fight-or-flight response has kicked in include:

  • Dilated pupils: In times of danger, the body prepares to become more aware of its surroundings. Dilation of the pupils allows more light into the eyes, resulting in better vision of your surrounding area.
  • Pale or flushed skin: During fight-or-flight, blood flow to the surface areas of the body is reduced while flow to the muscles, brain, legs, and arms is increased. Paleness or alternating between a pale and flushed face as blood rushes to the head and brain is common. The body's blood clotting ability also increases to prevent excess blood loss in the event of injury.
  • Rapid heart rate and breathing: Heartbeat and respiration rate increase to provide the body with the energy and oxygen needed to fuel a rapid response to danger.
  • Trembling: The muscles tense and become primed for action, which can cause trembling or shaking.


One guiding principle Ray teaches is that it must be based on credible threats and realistic scenarios as much as possible, and not unrealistic techniques that are only good for the dojo or movies. Because in the end, it’s real life that tells us what’s needed. If you’re interested in improving your safety, please let Ray know.


Ray has over 40 years of experience in the fitness and martial arts industry, as well as teaching Karate and women's and men's self-defence. Ray is a person who thinks outside the box; in other words, he doesn't stick to the traditional moves of some systems as they might have worked in 1800, but this is 2025 with more mental health issues and more violence against women who get beaten or even killed, so don't be a victim.  


Ray does use some techniques that work from Karate, Thai boxing, Wing Chun and Chi Na techniques that work in a realistic attack. These techniques have been tested out in either a real street attack or with a full-force attack in training with one of Ray's high-level students, as he wanted to test what would work and what would not work. Some schools like flashy techniques as they look good and bring in the money, as these techniques are only good for the dojo and to win trophies.  


When defending oneself, strike hard with no mercy, because they will not give you any mercy when attacking you; that way, you get to live another day. Don't be a victim where people come to put flowers on your grave. 


Don't be a victim; learn to fight back! It's free, so it's not coming out of your family's budget. 

I am trying to give back to the community with free women's realistic self-defence training to help women in my community. 


If you want me to come to a women's group, please contact me, as it's free, as I want women to survive an attack.  


Free Women's Self-Defence Available. Send a text to find out more if you are interested. Ray believes in giving back to the community to help women protect themselves with free self-defence training. Limited sessions are available after dropping the kids off at school, Saturday and Sunday morning or after 6 pm. Private sessions to a maximum of 4 women at a time for training, as his studio is not a large one.


So, ladies, come and try. If Ray can help just one woman from being hurt or raped, then his 50-plus years of training have been worth it. This is why he will not change a woman to defend herself and her children. 


Contact Ray for free sessions, as Ray is giving back to the community with free lessons in self-defence training for women. (Conditions: You must be fairly fit due to the cardio, as it's a good workout. Have no injuries and be able to get off the floor quickly. 


Have a question? Please ask!


Ray is also looking for 2 teenagers and 2 mature, sporty women to be trained and be in his self-defence book. If you have what it takes and are happy to have your photo taken and put in his book, you will have your name and photos in the book, and you will also receive a free copy of the book once the book has been published. (If all goes well, Ray wants to donate some of the money to the rape crisis centre in Canberra and also to buy new equipment for his free women's self-defence training that Ray offers)  


Learning real street self-defence techniques can incredibly benefit personal safety and confidence. 


Here are some key benefits:


1. Enhanced Personal Safety

  • Real-world self-defence techniques are designed to address the unpredictable nature of street confrontations. They teach you how to react effectively and protect yourself against potential threats.

2. Increased Confidence

  • Knowing you have the skills to handle dangerous situations boosts self-assurance. This confidence can deter potential attackers, as they are less likely to target someone who appears self-assured and aware.

3. Improved Situational Awareness

  • Self-defence training emphasises the importance of recognising and avoiding potential threats. You learn to identify warning signs and de-escalate situations before they become physical.

4. Effective Response to Real Scenarios

  • Unlike traditional martial arts, which may focus on forms or rules, street self-defence techniques prioritise practical moves tailored to real-life situations, such as being grabbed, pinned, or surrounded.

5. Physical Fitness and Strength

  • Regular practice improves strength, agility, reflexes, and endurance, all essential in a self-defence scenario.

6. Stress Management

  • Facing simulated attacks in training helps condition your mind to remain calm and focused under pressure, reducing the likelihood of freezing or panicking in a real-life situation.

7. Empowerment

  • Especially for individuals who may feel vulnerable, self-defence training provides a sense of empowerment and the knowledge that they can protect themselves.

8. Legal Awareness

  • Many self-defence courses include discussing the legal implications of defending yourself and helping you understand what actions are permissible in different situations.

9. Versatility in Various Settings

  • Techniques are often adaptable for confined spaces, crowded areas, or even when dealing with multiple attackers, ensuring you can protect yourself in diverse environments.

10. Increased Discipline and Focus

  • Regular training instils discipline, patience, and the ability to stay focused during high-pressure moments, skills that carry over into other areas of life.


Investing time in learning street self-defence is not just about physical protection; it’s about cultivating a mindset and skillset that prepare you for life’s uncertainties while building resilience and confidence.

Ray Flaherty's Training

Ray's Training

 Martial Arts Training

  1. Ray has been training in the martial arts since the age of 12 years in Judo, Wing Chun under different high-level students, Senseis and Sifus, Muay Thai,  Arnis, Tai Chi (Yang Style and a session with Master Fu Sheng Yuan in Canberra in 1993 from China), Chi Kung and more.... 
  2. Ray trained under Master Tze Lung Chan through his family's Self-defence system within the Chin Na and Dim-Mak techniques and weaponry, along with different styles within Japanese and Chinese mixed Martial Arts and Healing as a close-door student for many years and has passed full-level senior instructor on his last Asia trip in 2025.
  3. Women's self-defence instructor for many years.
  4. As a private student, Ray trained under Sensei Mark Greville in the 80s in Shorin Ryu, Shorinkan Okinawan Karate. (Ray fixed Sensia's Marks' 4-wheel drive bodywork for private lessons)
  5. Diploma of Karate, Black Belt Shotokan (Graded by 7th Dan Murakami Sensei from Japan, with Yuki Senpai on their trip to Australia in 1992.   
  6. Ray trained under Master Kanazawa, 10th Dan, when he came to Canberra from Japan.
  7. Trained under Sensei Tim Duffy, 3rd Dan North Canberra Shotokan Karate, Ray was hand-picked to run his one-day class in Sensei Tim's dojo.
  8. Grandmaster Chan Tze Lung (Chinese family name) from Japan has graded Ray to a higher black belt level. Ray has trained under Grandmaster Chan and his wife, Master Yoko, for over 30 years and still does to this day. This is a multi-style training within the family. This is also where Ray learnt the healing arts over 30 years ago and still does as a closed-door student. (This is not a commercial martial art like Karate and Kung Fu.)


Overseas Training &Teaching 2018, 2019, 2024, & 2025
Back from Asia, 3rd of July 2025, with training and a grading to 6th Dan.
In 2024, I returned from my overseas trip to Asia for a brief break, also for training and meeting with my international police and sports clients. Got back on 16/07/24.
Back again from Thailand, learning new skills on 6th October 2019 and also massaging overseas clients with my pain management sports massage and stretch therapy. Hong Kong training was cancelled due to the unrest in Hong Kong.
Came back on the 7th of July 2018 from my Asia trip, learning new skills and teaching my pain management to massage therapist friends in Hong Kong, Thailand and his martial arts training in Japan and a grading to 5th Dan. 


Other Training

  1. 2025 Undertaking: Psychotherapy to help with awareness of various emotional and psychological challenges, such as anxiety, depression, trauma and more.....
  2. A Diploma of Psychology to develop a deeper understanding of the human mind and behaviour. 
  3. Certificate 4 Allied Health Exercise Programs HLT42507 in Occupational therapy & Physiotherapy assistant units in exercise for recovery.
  4. Assist with the development and maintenance of the client's functional status.
  5. Conduct group sessions for individual client outcomes.
  6. Assist in the rehabilitation of clients.
  7. Assist With Client Movement. 
  8. Support the fitting of assistive devices and more.
  9. Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury.
  10. Introduction to Physiotherapy Diploma.
  11. Provide First Aid HLTAID011. (Updating)
  12. Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation HLTID009. (Updating)
  13. Provide Basic Emergency Life Support HTLID010. (Updating)
  14. Certificate upgraded from TAA to TAE40110 4 Training & Assessment. 
  15. SISFFIT014 Instruct Exercise To Older Clients.
  16. Diploma of PTSD Awareness.
  17. Diploma in Pilates.
  18. Diploma of Mindfulness Instructor. 
  19. Diploma of Mediation Instructor. 
  20. Diploma of Counselling Skill Set. 
  21. Certificate 4 in OHS Safety BSB41407. 

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