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 5 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:

UW Women's Center: Five Tuesday evenings, Jan 24 - Feb 21, 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Location: Bryants Building, Room 111. Cost: $140 ($132 tuition payable upon registration, $8 materials fee payable to instructor on first class). Register online or phone 206-685-1090.

Bellevue College: Five Saturday afternoons, Jan 28 - Feb 25, 1:30 - 3:30 pm. Location: Bellevue College North Campus, 14673 NE 29th Place, Bellevue WA 98007. Cost: $127. Register online or phone 425-564-2263.

Seattle Central Community College: Five Monday evenings, Jan 30 - March 5 (no class Feb 20), 7:00 - 8:50 pm. Location: 1701 Broadway, Edison Bldg, Room 1139B. Cost: $135 ($127 tuition payable on regisration plus $8 materials fee payable to instructor on first class). Register online (go to Exercise on left-side menu) or phone 206-934-5448.