SELF-DEFENSE 101

ABOUT THIS CLASS

Research shows that women who successfully defended themselves quickly recognized threatening situations and enforced their boundaries, if necessary by physical means. In this six-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 six sessions give you time between classes to practice your 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.

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

Class Schedule

Seattle Central College:

Six Monday evenings, April 27 – June 8 (no class May 25), 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Location: ONLINE via Zoom
Cost: $189
Register online

Bellevue College:

Five Saturday afternoons, May 9 – June 13 (no class May 23), 1:00 – 3:30 pm
Location: ONLINE via Zoom
Cost: $199
Register online

Phinney Neighborhood Center:

Six Tuesday evenings, May 26 – June 30, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: 6532 Phinney Ave N, Seattle WA 98103, Brick Bldg Room 35
Cost: $199
Register online

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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:

“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.”

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.

SELF-DEFENSE 101

ABOUT THIS CLASS

Class Schedule

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:

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

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