Karate for Mental Health Hits the Spot in Many Ways

Published on: 5 Mar, 2026
Updated on: 5 Mar, 2026

By David Rose

Guildford-based Karate for Mental Health offers adult martial arts classes designed to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

Les Bubka (far right) gets the Karate for Mental Health session started.

Led by Les Bubka, it is one of a number of classes he runs teaching martial arts for adults as well as children.

The classes – specially for people who struggle with their mental health and / or physical health, and who would also like to get fitter – have recently located to one of the meeting rooms at Guildford United Reformed Church in Portsmouth Road.

I dropped by on Wednesday last week (February 25) to find meet Les and his pupils who were enjoying a number of martial arts techniques including pad work, sparring, and Taiso – a gentle, meditative, kata-based movement.

These free sessions are aimed at people who suffer with their mental and / or physical health.

One of those enjoying the hour-long session said: “Since an early age I’ve been subjected to repeated traumas, all of which have had a lasting impact on my mental and physical health.

“I was pushed to being ‘on the edge’ 18 months ago after a combination of things. Learning karate was a desperate attempt to save myself, and has acted as a lifeline and a safety net.

“I had no idea if I would manage one class. Little did I know Les and Karate for Mental Health would create a new path for me. It has given me hope for the future and a new lease of life.

“I can’t express how much good Les and his classes and the lovely people he attracts do for one another.”

This person added some of the great things they have found by attending these classes: Self-esteem, time out and headspace, calming, challenging, rewarding, inspiring, brain stimulating, building confidence, improving wellbeing.

Les (left) doing same pad work with one of his pupils.

Les originally started these classes in Godalming with support from the then charity Southern Alcohol and Drug Advisory Service (now Catalyst Support) as part of its Welcome Project.

He says he suffered anxiety when he was young and going to martial arts classes helped him. He came to the UK in 2007 after travels around the world and to Guildford in 2012, and later started a club called All Around Karate.

His classes that are tailored to help people suffering with mental health are free.

Moving them to Guildford, Karate for Mental Health has been funded by Guildford Borough Council’s Aspire community fund and the Guildford Philanthropy fund.

Its most recent funder, to the tune of £1,ooo, is from the Shotokan Karate Lodge. This is group of London-based Freemasons founded just over 20 years ago by Shotokan Karate enthusiasts to combine their shared passions of martial arts and Freemasonry.

These Karate for Mental Health classes are fun as well as beneficial for those attending.

The weekly classes at Guildford Reformed Church take place on the following days and times…

Tuesdays, 8pm to 9.30pm, regular class open to all.

Wednesdays, 12.30pm to 1.30pm (during school terms), open session for people with disabilities.

Martial arts teacher and all round inspiration, Les Bubka.

Thursdays 8pm to 9.30pm, open to all.

Karate for Mental Health became a Community Interest Company in October 2024. Therefore it is a limited company operating to provide a benefit to the community it serves, rather than for private profit.

To find out out more, especially if you would like to attend, or know someone who may like to, click here for details on Les Bubka’s website.

Or email direct to info@lesbubka.co.uk

Tel: 07707 321975.