Kick & Fight: I Am Not Afraid – A Self-Defense Workshop for Women
Attention, ladies and gentlemen! If you ever thought that yoga was just for chants and downward dogs, brace yourself for something that might just kick your expectations – literally! On Sunday, November 24, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, The Garden yoga and wellness center in Viale Monte Nero 80, Milan, is hosting the “Kick & Fight: I Am Not Afraid” event. And let me tell ya, if you ever wanted to learn how to deliver a swift kick to someone’s ego, this is the place to be!
Led by the famed kickboxing world champion Angelo Valente and the karate virtuoso Vanessa Villa, this initiative promises to arm women with self-defense skills while putting a little pep in your step! It’s about time we empower women to defend themselves against the rampant attacks that we all hear about daily. And if you’re wondering what kickboxing can offer you, let me assure you, it’s not just about wearing flashy shorts and shouting “Woo!” while you throw punches.
Now, Valente, who clearly doesn’t beat around the bush, states that if he had a daughter, he’d be singing the praises of kickboxing from the rooftops. But, his two sons? Not a peep. Makes you wonder if the next family dinner is going to involve a friendly sparring match! Talk about gender roles being turned on their heads. If only he could teach them to dodge chores with the same finesse!
Vanessa Villa, a fierce force of nature who has multiple titles in karate, including wearing her black belt with pride, will also be lending her expertise. She explains that victory in kata, which is all about making imaginary foes quiver in fear at your flawless performance, lies in perfect execution and synchronization with teammates. I mean, nothing says “don’t mess with me” quite like imagining a battle while executing a series of graceful poses that would make a ballet dancer weep!
Vanessa’s gearing up to teach the essentials of self-defense in just two hours. That’s right: two hours! So, if you thought learning self-defense took months of rigorous training, think again! She promises to teach techniques that can be effective in dangerous situations alongside some breath work from her yoga practice. Because when you find yourself in a sketchy situation, nothing calms the nerves quite like a deep breath in…and a swift kick out!
And what’s the kicker? This workshop is entirely free! Just follow their social media for all the details. If this doesn’t scream “best deal in Milan,” I don’t know what does!
With Angelo Valente being a celebrated name in kickboxing, quite like the Oktoberfest is to beer, it wouldn’t be a surprise if this event attracts some attention. He’s been in the ring with the best, including a celebrated victory over Melvin Murray that had 5,000 fans screaming like teenagers at a Justin Bieber concert! His students have gone on to claim titles that many can only dream of.
So, ladies, if you’ve ever wanted to learn how to defend yourself or just feel like a badass while sipping your green smoothie, this is your chance. And let’s be honest: who doesn’t want to feel like a bonafide superhero?
Mark your calendars, and remember: in a world full of uncertainty, being a woman who can handle herself is not just a power move; it’s the only move! So show up, kick some butt, and leave the worrying to those who are oblivious to this golden opportunity!
On Sunday, November 24, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, The Garden, a renowned yoga and wellness center located at Viale Monte Nero 80 in Milan, will host the empowering event “Kick & Fight: I am not afraid.” This unique initiative features the esteemed kickboxing world champion Angelo Valente alongside the accomplished Italian karate champion Vanessa Villa, who will share their invaluable experiences with women aspiring to learn self-defense techniques. “I conceived this initiative due to the rising incidents of violence against women that have been highlighted daily in the media,” explains Angelo Valente. “Kickboxing is not only a thrilling combat sport but also an effective means of self-defense. If I had a daughter, I would strongly encourage her to practice kickboxing, while I have never felt the need to advise my own sons in the same manner. For those interested in joining the course, detailed information can be found on my social media platforms and those of Vanessa Villa. The course is entirely free of charge. While the upcoming session on November 24 will feature just me and Vanessa as instructors, we hope to invite prominent national champions as guest teachers in future events.”
Born 32 years ago in Riccione, Vanessa Villa is a multiple-time Italian champion in karate’s kata discipline, where kicks and punches are executed in a solo or team format, simulating an opponent. This practice goes beyond throwing random strikes; it requires athletes to demonstrate precision, timing, and fluidity in their movements to replicate a real fight context. “Triumph in kata necessitates a flawless execution of techniques,” comments Vanessa Villa. “In team competitions, it’s equally crucial to synchronize with fellow athletes. As a team captain, I led my team to five Italian championships and secured an individual championship title. Additionally, I competed with my Emilia Romagna team at the European Championship, where we earned second place. I hold a third dan black belt in karate, and I aim to pass along my self-defense knowledge to women through teaching key techniques. While it’s unrealistic to cover intricate skills in just two hours, especially for beginners, the techniques we will impart are designed to be effective in threatening scenarios. I will also introduce breathing techniques, drawing from my experience as a certified yoga instructor. My recent collaboration with Angelo Valente inspired me to delve into kickboxing, and I’m confident that together, we will create an impactful experience that many will want to join after the inaugural event.”
Angelo Valente stands as a prominent figure in the realm of Milanese and Italian kickboxing. He excels not only as an athlete but also as a coach, manager, and organizer of monumental events like The Night of Kick and Punch. He imparts his expertise at the Kick and Punch Downtown Milan gym located at Via Vivaio 1, nestled within the historic Palazzo Isimbardi, which serves as the metropolitan city’s headquarters. Throughout his illustrious career, he has captured world titles in super welterweight, middleweight, and super middleweight categories. One of his most notable achievements occurred during the Kickboxing Superstars event, where he secured a memorable victory against Melvin Murray for the world middleweight championship in May 2000. The PalaLido venue in Milan was filled to capacity with 5,000 spectators that night, a testament to his popularity. Valente has been instrumental in nurturing the careers of numerous athletes who have gone on to claim prestigious titles both nationally and internationally, including kickboxing world champions Luca Grusovin and Luca Cecchetti, as well as muay thai world champion Joseph Lasiri, who made waves in the Asian One Championship circuit—the equivalent of the football Champions League in combat sports.
Vanessa Villa wikipedia
**Interview with Angelo Valente and Vanessa Villa: Kick & Fight Workshop for Women**
**Interviewer:** Thank you both for joining us today! The upcoming “Kick & Fight: I Am Not Afraid” workshop sounds incredible. Can you tell us a bit about what inspired this event?
**Angelo Valente:** Absolutely! With the rising concerns about violence against women being reported more frequently in the media, I felt it was important to create a space where women could learn self-defense techniques. Kickboxing is not just an exciting sport; it’s also an effective way for women to protect themselves. If I had a daughter, I’d want her to have these skills.
**Vanessa Villa:** I completely agree with Angelo. As a karate champion, I’ve seen how empowering it can be for women to gain confidence through self-defense training. This workshop is all about offering practical skills in a supportive environment, and we’re excited to see the participants grow.
**Interviewer:** That’s empowering! For those who may think they need months or years of training to learn self-defense, what can participants expect to learn in just two hours?
**Vanessa Villa:** We aim to teach essential self-defense techniques that can be utilized in real-life scenarios. It’s about breaking down those barriers of fear, showing that with the right techniques and mindset, anyone can defend themselves. Plus, we’ll incorporate some breathwork techniques from yoga to help manage anxiety in stressful situations.
**Interviewer:** Sounds like a well-rounded approach! Angelo, you’ve had quite an impressive career in kickboxing. How do you feel this experience shapes your teaching style at the workshop?
**Angelo Valente:** My experience in the ring has taught me not just about physical discipline but also about mental fortitude. I aim to instill in participants the confidence that comes from knowing how to defend yourself. It’s about building a mindset where women don’t just react—they respond with control and technique.
**Interviewer:** That’s so important. Anything else you’d like to share with potential attendees?
**Vanessa Villa:** Just that this workshop is completely free! We want to make self-defense training accessible to everyone. Social media is where they can find all the details. And remember, it’s not just about learning to fight; it’s about empowerment and camaraderie among women.
**Angelo Valente:** Exactly, and we hope to bring in more champions in future events to provide greater variety and expertise. We can’t wait to see everyone on November 24!
**Interviewer:** Thank you both for your time. Best of luck with the workshop! It sounds like a fantastic opportunity for women in Milan!
**Angelo Valente and Vanessa Villa:** Thank you! We’re excited!
