Phil Davis's studies in the ancient art of Kixa have seen him travel across the world and even appear in a movie alongside action star Jean Claude Van Damme.

Phil, from Basildon, has been studying the 5,000-year-old technique for the past 30 years.

It's still relatively unknown in our part of the world, but that could be about to change.

Phil and one of his pupils, Kevin Walker, are opening up Kixa self-defence classes in Wickford, marketing its health and fitness benefits for women, as well as the ability to repel attackers.

"There's more to self-defence than just a jab in the eye and kick in the groin," says Phil.

"Kixa is about getting up in the morning and feeling good about yourself. It's about finding your inner strength - your central power, as we call it."

Kixa comes from ancient books kept by the people of Tibet, Nepal and the Himalayas, which were said to contain the seven secrets of life.

Its translation into plain language took three years and was completed in 1972.

The word Kixa itself means the highest stage of "central power".

Phil, who is now in his late 40s, started out in kung fu - attending the Open World Kung Fu Championship in Kuala Lumpur in 1976 - but fell in love with Kixa after seeing it on display at a class in London.

He turned his back on kung fu, and had been a devotee of Kixa ever since.

His passion for the art runs in parallel with his work as head doorman at Ignite/Lava Nightclub on the Festival Leisure Park.

He has now been teaching Kixa for about 20 years, achieving the level of grand master.

He is studying the 12th and final step before reaching the ultimate level of central power.

Phil's travels in the study of Kixa took him to Los Angeles a few years ago - where he ended up being cast in martial arts movie Lionheart, starring action superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme.

While it was a small part, Mr Davis managed to appear in a fight scene - and have lunch with "the Muscles from Brussels" himself.

"He was really nice," Mr Davis recalled.

"That was it, though. Nothing really happened and I didn't pursue a career in it."

Deciding to concentrate on Kixa, he made several visits to its spiritual home in Indonesia.

His pupil and now fellow instructor, Kevin, has also recently returned from training in East Java, Indonesia.

Phil believes Kixa deals with physical fitness, self-defence and internal breathing, and claims his new classes will be ideal for people wanting to get fit, lose weight, reduce stress and feel calmer.

Phil's women-only class will be held weekly at Wick Community Centre, Silva Island Way, Wickford, starting on February 6 at 7pm.

Kevin's weekly class has already started, and is held on Wednesdays at the Wickford Community Association, Market Road, Wickford, from 7pm to 9pm. It's suitable for men and women aged over 12.

For more information, call Phil on 07730 520894.