Upgrade your confidence.
Fast-track instinctive skills to handle real-world threats.
Self-defence isn’t just for dark alleyways. It’s for life.
Whether you’re a parent, a teen, or a team leader—response under pressure matters, and that response can be trained.
At Mu-shin, we teach important response skills that become second nature.
Through our Simple Instinctive Response System (SIRS), we turn instinct into your greatest advantage—fast.
No fluff. No fear tactics. Just physical and mental readiness that lasts.
Our courses are built on:
- Micro-learning + habit stacking for life-long retention
- Three core principles of power (hip rotation, loading, kinetic energy)
- A mindset rooted in the ancient samurai principle of Mu-shin: no mind, no hesitation
Mu-shin bite-sized courses and books are designed to effortlessly fit into your busy life to quickly build lasting protection for you and your loved ones.
Project ‘Ready’ – National Campaign – Prepare Today, Empower Tomorrow
Project Ready is a nationwide initiative dedicated to equipping UK teenagers with the instinctive skills, awareness, and confidence to face the growing threats of violence, manipulation, and coercion. Using proven, science-backed training, we help teens become more resilient, alert, and ready — both online and offline.
Through our free Action Kit, school workshops, and community programmes, we’re building a generation that can recognise danger early, respond decisively, and protect themselves and others..
“WarriorUp Workshop for Teens + Online Course (DofE Compliant)”
Reading, adding up, swimming, riding a bike –these are usually a given as we reach our teens. Let’s add the character-building skill of managing threat and danger effectively. Surely this is the ultimate, instinctive life skill?
Learning to confidently protect personal space, communicate assertively, tactically de-escalate trouble, and build the physical and mental resilience to face violence and danger helps to shape well-rounded, capable, and employable young adults.
Now available as a Physical Skill option for the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
“WarriorUp Bootcamps + Fitness Boost”
Realistically, how quickly can you develop self-defence skills that actually work and stick? WarriorUp Bootcamp turns skills acquisition on its head with its fast-paced and innovative approach. The answer to building quick reaction skills that could save your life is a simplified system, effective drills and a mindset shift that makes you go ‘yep… I can handle this’.
Oh.. and we can also turn these sessions into high octane fitness sessions so you get a beach body with your warrior upgrade!
“Savvy Up – The Book”
Under pressure, even the smartest of people can make poor decisions—which is why 35% of us fall victim to scams. Savvy Up is an experiential guide to revitalising your instincts and decision-making skills.
Use it as a quick reference when you sense you’re being “worked,” or dive into its self-defence chapter, complete with a link to a short video course designed for all ages. Empower yourself with knowledge and skills that protect you across a variety of situations.
“WarriorUp in 20 Days” Online
Steezy revolutionised dance classes, Rosetta Stone mastered language learning, and Yousician made learning instruments effortless. Now, WarriorUp equips you with the physical, tactical, and mindset skills to overcome danger and violence—or your money back.
Our four comprehensive modules cover everything from being followed, struck, and grabbed – to tactical communication, situational awareness, and even drink spiking prevention tips. With clear video instructions, 3-minute micro-reads, and powerful visualisation tools, you’ll master life-saving and life-enhancing techniques that become second nature when it matters most.
“WarriorUp Workshops”
What’s the point of learning something you’ll forget or that won’t work under pressure? For some, workshops are just a tick-box exercise—not here.
In our workshops, you’ll gain realistic, life-protecting skills and learn how to embed them for life. By combining biomechanics, muscle memory, and smart strategies, we’ll help you transform from vulnerable to capable, defenceless to warrior.
Available to educational institutions, organisations and private groups.
What makes Mu-shin the smart self defence system?
Mu-shin, meaning “no mind” in Japanese, embodies the philosophy of instinctive, effortless action. Founder Stuart Kirby has spent forty years studying martial arts, seven of those years in Japan, where he immersed himself in the Japanese approach to self-defence. These experiences were instrumental in creating this innovative system.
“Our goal is to make self-defence an instinctive, practical life skill—one that is not only potentially life-saving but also boosts confidence and self-esteem.” – Stuart Kirby
Mu-shin Self-Defence focuses on developing the mindset, tactics, and physical skills necessary to overcome the most common threats.
We understand that not everyone has the time or desire to commit four hours a week for four years to earn a black belt. Traditional martial arts and combat sports often require extensive time and financial investment, yet they don’t guarantee real-world self-defence capability. In high-pressure situations, fear and confusion can impair reaction time, and complex techniques taught in traditional systems may fail to come to mind when you need them most.
That’s why Mu-shin emphasises mastering a select few proven techniques—simple, effective, and instinctively recalled when it matters.
At the heart of Mu-shin is the Simplified and Instinctive Response System (SIRS). This system focuses on embedding essential skills into muscle memory through:
- Microlearning
- Clear video instruction
- Short blaster drills
- Review resources
- Visualisation tools
- Fitness Sessions
We don’t just teach you how to handle common threats; we ensure these skills become second nature. By making skill review quick and habitual, Mu-shin aims to make self-defence a lifelong, instinctive ability.
Why our self defence systems work
Developing instinctive skills and a mindset to use it when under pressure is at the core of each course.
Simplified and Instinctive Response System (SIRS)
Focused training deeply ingrains skills into our neural pathways. Techniques are simplified, yet effective. Drills ensure these skills become autonomous, so under the pressure of attack, you WILL react instinctively. By understanding the stages of learning—cognitive, associative, and autonomous—we know the power of repetition.
Physical and visualisation training
Repeated physical training in micro bursts develops effective techniques that stick. Visualisation, or mental rehearsal further improve technique, and primes the mind to reduce the chance of freezing. A quicker (instinctive) reaction to danger is achieved.
Reality
Training time must be devoted to what really happens. Realism is crucial; practicing something that is unlikely to happen is to the detriment of practicing something that could save your life.
With the correct technique, even the smallest person can generate powerful, fast strikes. Directing those strikes to key target areas is the only way to overcome a larger violent attacker.
Knowing how to stand, what to say, how to read and use your environment are crucial elements of an effective self-defence strategy. Our 3-minute micro reads enhance your awareness and tactical decision-making.
Everyone can develop instinctive threat-defence skills—and, in as little as 20 days!
Imagine skipping home insurance just because you’ve never experienced a burglary! It’s a gamble few are willing to take with their most valuable financial asset. Oddly, this level of caution is not usually extended to personal safety.
The reality is that self-defence is much like insurance for your well-being. Experiencing any confrontation brings about a vulnerability that can be damaging to mental health. Attacks are unpredictable, and being unprepared is like leaving your door wide open overnight.
Let’s bridge this gap. Mu-shin has created a spectrum of courses tailored to various levels of commitment, ensuring everyone can learn essential skills and strategies to use when under threat. The Mu-shin goal is to empower you to protect your most precious asset—yourself and, in some cases, vulnerable loved ones.
Testimonials
★★★★★
VAPRX123 (WarriorUp Online)
“When I first used the app, I was extremely impressed with the graphics and the detail on the courses which fully explain how to perform each move. I would definitely recommend anyone to use this app who struggles to find time as this app offers short but effective videos on how to defend yourself!“
★★★★★
Rachel (WarriorUp workshop)
“This workshop exceeded all my expectations. It wasn’t just about self-defence; it was really empowering. The instructors emphasized the importance of situational awareness and showed us how to use our strengths to our advantage. After the session and practicing with their app, I’ve felt a dramatic shift in how I carry myself and interact with the world around me. Once my daughter is old enough I will definitely put her on this workshop. I recommend every women does it.“
★★★★★
Clarissa (Mu-shin Fitness)
“Stuart is an excellent trainer, experienced, kind and funny, sessions are enjoyable and relatable to real world situations. For the first time I am confident when out after dark and no longer walk with my keys between my knuckles lol. My daughter also attends and she feels as confident as I do that she can protect herself, which means I worry less and do not call her as often when she is out. I can’t thank Stuart enough for what he has done for us. “
★★★★★
Jonny (WarriorUp Online)
“Been looking for something like this for ages. I really enjoyed it. Easy to follow for someone as basic as me and I really feel like I’ve gained new skills. I’ll be getting my children to do the course as well. Even at 5 and 8 years old they will be able to follow this with a little of Daddy’s help to prepare them in this uncertain world we all now live in.”
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