SELF-DEFENSE 101

ABOUT SELF-DEFENSE 101

COVID-19 UPDATE: In-person classes are now scheduled for this Fall and Winter. Class size is limited. The three locations, Seattle’s Feminist Karate Union, Phinney Neighborhood Center, and Seattle Central College, have good air circulation and filtration. COVID cleaning protocols are still in effect. You have to be vaccinated before the first day of class to attend an in-person course, and masks are mandatory.

Research shows that those who successfully defended themselves quickly recognized threatening situations and enforced their boundaries, if necessary by physical means. In this six-week self-defense 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 six sessions give you time between classes to practice your self-defense moves and become more comfortable with them.

This is a progressive skill-building course. You will learn the most basic elements early on, and practice them in later drills. The first sessions will focus more on physical skills: strikes to vulnerable targets, releases from grabs, body language, and using your voice. Later sessions will put your new skills in various contexts, look more at setting boundaries, and different verbal strategies to control uncomfortable situations. Finally, you will learn to recognize domestic violence, and how to get help if you (or someone you know) are in an abusive relationship.

There will be review in each class. There is also some extra enrichment activities (some call it “homework”). What you get out of your time in class will be greatly enhanced by just a small amount of time spent practicing between classes.

Two students who completed first six-week online course said:

Even though our class was over Zoom, the meetings with Joanne were really informative and important. I now can use my voice and body language to get out of situations I do not want to be in. I am confident because I now have plans, a “blueprint'” which will help me de-escalate potentially violent situations, set boundaries with family, friends and strangers, and help people who are in those situations.
I really enjoyed this class. Thanks to Joanne, I now feel more confident in myself.

And

This course was long-overdue in my life. It was an investment in my mental health, something that goes hand in hand with self-defense but oftentimes gets overlooked. Setting personal boundaries (even with friends) is my new learned strategy to communicate strength and confidence. Knowing that I have the skill to detect red flags is empowering.

Come prepared to challenge yourself – emPOWERment doesn’t get more fun!

Class Schedule

Self-Defense 101 for Women, Transgender, and Non-Binary Persons:

Six Saturday afternoons, Jan 22 – Feb 26, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Location: Feminist Karate Union, 920 S Holgate St, #101, Seattle WA 98134
Cost: $269
Register online

Self-Defense 101 for All Genders:

Six Tuesday evenings, Feb 15 – March 22, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: Seattle Central College, Broadway Edison Bldg, Room 1139B
Cost: $269
Register online

Self-Defense 101 for Women, Transgender, and Non-Binary Persons:

Six Thursday evenings, Feb 17 – March 24, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave N, Room 31 (Brick Bldg), Seattle WA 98103
Cost: $269
Register online

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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:

Self Defense 101 – testimonial 1

“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.”

Self Defense 101 – testimonial 2

“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.”

Self Defense 101 – testimonial 3

“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.”

Self Defense 101 – testimonial 4

“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.”

Self Defense 101 – testimonial 5

“Joanne’s approach to teaching self-defense is positive, and focused on our choices and increasing abilities.”

Of surveyed college women, about 91% of rape and sexual assault victims knew their attacker prior to the assault.

Fisher, Bonnie S., Francis T. Cullen, and Michael G. Turner. “The Sexual Victimization of College Women.” Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice, 2000.