Women's Safety & Self-Defense Workshop

Learn how to protect yourself in a safe, supported and empowered environment! As part of the Women's Safety & Self-Defense Workshop, you will learn self-defense that includes a set of awareness and safety strategies, as well as a series of simple highly effective physical self-defense techniques for the most common attack situations ranging from being pushed or pulled, cornered, grabbed by a bigger and stronger attacker. Rather than relying on strength to defend against a larger assailant, you will learn the basic techniques of self-defense that include the principles of leverage, timing and energy efficiency. None requires exceptional strength, speed or coordination. Regardless of your age, size, strength or physical ability, you can learn the techniques of self-defense while gaining an increased sense of personal confidence and empowerment. Class starts with warm-up exercises, followed by instruction in a specific skill with technique practice with a partner. The class ends with partner drills to build confidence and strengthen reflexes. No experience necessary.

CURRICULUM MAP AWARENESS STRATEGIES In this lesson, students will learn how to dial up their awareness and learn how to use verbal assertiveness.

DISTANCE MANAGEMENT In this lesson, students learn how to use their verbal assertiveness to de-escalate, set and re-enforce boundaries, to alert bystander help, and what to do if the attacker crosses the boundary.

BASE In this lesson, students will learn good footwork to stay grounded while moving and how to establish a rock-solid base so that the attacker can not push or pull against their will.

STANDING ESCAPES In this lesson, students learn what to do if the attacker crosses the boundary, pushes or grabs them, either by the wrist or by the waist.

Age range: Those 10 and over are welcome!