Self-Defense 101 for Women
Research shows that women who successfully defended themselves quickly recognized threatening situations and enforced their boundaries, if necessary by physical means. In this 6 week course you will learn to recognize assailant ploys and manipulations and how to thwart them. Practice releases from common grabs and decisive strikes to vital targets. Use your voice and body language with impact. Recognize the signs that will let you defuse, de-escalate or evade before a physical assault ever happens. Assess your risks, and plan around them. Understand the connections between awareness, threats, and our media environment. The five sessions give you time between classes to practice your moves and become more comfortable with them.
Come prepared to challenge yourself – emPOWERment doesn't get more fun!
Past participants have said:
"Joanne was knowledgeable, calm, respectful, and very impressive. I would definitely recommend this course. It was a great balance of physical practice and non-physical knowledge."
"I liked the camaraderie between the women in class with each other and with the teacher. I liked Joanne's realistic portrayals of situations and honesty in answering questions."
"In addition to strong psychosocial skills, Joanne is an effective teacher providing us with a variety of techniques to use in a range of situations."
"Our sessions were very well organized so that there was a balance of physical activity, listening, and discussion, with a good mix of intellectual and emotional content."
"Joanne's approach to teaching self-defense is positive, and focused on our choices and increasing abilities."
Upcoming class schedule:
Seattle Central Community College:
- Six Monday evenings, July 8 - August 12, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
- Location: 1701 Broadway, Edison Bldg, Room 1139B
- Cost: $173 ($135 tuition payable on regisration plus $8 materials fee payable to instructor on first class)
- Register online, or phone 206-934-5448
UW Women's Center:
- Six Tuesday evenings, TBD
- Location: Bryants Building, Room 111
- Cost: $183 ($140 tuition+registration fee payable upon registration, $8 materials fee payable to instructor on first class)
- Registration closed.
Bellevue College:
- Six Saturday afternoons, July 13 - August 24 (no class July 20), 1:30 - 3:30 pm
- Location: Bellevue College North Campus, 14673 NE 29th Place, Bellevue WA 98007
- Cost: $165
- Register online, or phone 425-564-2263
- Six Sunday mornings, 10:00 am - noon.
- Location: Seattle's International District (exact location divulged only to those registered)
- Cost: $167 General Public, $137 UW students
- Will resume in the Fall term
"When I first thought of taking a self defense class I envisioned a strictly martial arts class that I would need to be more physically fit for, and I consequently didn't sign up for a several years. I'm a survivor of a patchwork of offenses including domestic violence and rape. I decided, after fleeing my abusive husband with my two children, that it was necessary for me to take a self defense class. After numerous phone calls to martial arts studios who claimed to provide self defense training, I still wasn't enrolled. I found many of them taught clients how to fight which was admirable, but I really wanted to learn what to do in a real life situation, not just sport sparring. So the search continued until I came across Strategic Living's website. I watched a short movie provided on the site. Joanne Factor was quizzing a group of students. Her questions were a vital portion of the self defense class she was teaching, a self defense class that provided both mental and physical training. I completed Joanne Factor's self defense class... and I now walk taller, feel smarter and know that I have the ability to protect myself and my children were I to be put in a threatening situation. I walked away from this class with a better understanding of those who tend to commit the offenses as well as a solid understanding of what to do if they should choose me as a target. I recommend this course to anyone who wants to be better educated and safer."
- Erin Anderson