Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all our self-defense classes are currently online.
They are offered through Seattle Central College, Bellevue College, North Kirkland Community Center, and directly from us. But can you really learn self-defense online?
We’ve completed one whole six-week course and several short (1 to 2 hour) seminars. And the answer is . . .
Yes.
Some topics have to be put aside. While we can show physical skills, learning these via video is nowhere near ideal. We cannot train them the same way we could in face-to-face classes. We are hoping to be able, at a later date, to offer “makeup” classes specifically for those who have taken our online versions.
What does work well are skills that you’d use far more often. Boundary setting, de-escalation, bystander intervention. Verbal skills, projection and body language, even distance from others. Learning to recognize “red flags.”
These are synchronous classes, which means they happen at an appointed time. The platform is Zoom, which is free for you to use as long as you sign up or download the app.
Two students who just completed first six-week 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.
Take a look at what we are now offering:
- Self-Defense 101 (the six-week course)
- Single-session seminars
- For Teen Girls Only
- Safety Skills for Children with Parents
We are also happy to offer custom programs for your school, group, or business. Contact us for more information.
2019, Strategic Living LLC
2007, Laura Totten