Frequently Asked Questions

What is Self-defense? Self-defense is a combination of having awareness, safety strategies, assertiveness, verbal skills, and physical techniques to enable you to successfully prevent, protect yourself, and prevail during a violent attack.

Does Self-defense work? Yes! Self-defense training helps you to develop responses to avoid, interrupt, slow, or de-escalate an attack. It helps increase and recognized your options and your probability of success.

Does training Self-defense guarantee I will be safe? No. There are no guarantees when it comes to protecting oneself. Be smart and choose a self-defense program that will increase your options and preparedness with a wide range of strategies.

Must I train for years to learn how to defend myself? No. A basic self-defense class can offer enough concept, strategies, and skills that you can continue to build upon. Consistent practice is important and the more time spent practicing increases your skills, confidence, and abilities.

Why can’t I use Mace, Pepper Spray, or other devices for Self-defense? You can use whatever device you choose; however, if you do not fully understand what it is or how to use it, it can do more harm than good. Anything you use against an attacker can be used against you as well. Your mind and body are the best primary weapons that are always with you. Everything else is a weapon of opportunity used to complement you mind and body.

Should I observe a class before attending a Self-defense course? Absolutely! Observe the class before you attend a self-defense class. It will give you a good indicator if the class is right for you and meets all your requirements. It is also encouraged to talk to the instructor about the philosophy of the self-defense class. Also talk to students who have attended regular class or a self-defense class from that instructor.

Philosophy

A self-defense class should encourage you to think in terms of options, develop your awareness and confidence, and provide basic physical self-defense techniques. A good self-defense class should expand the way you think about violence prevention, introduce concept to help you deal with fear, and enable you to feel more empowered.

Philosophy and Criteria

Our Women’s Self-defense program reflects the following philosophical points:

Women do not ask for, cause, invite or deserve to be assaulted.

Judgment free zone. Whatever decision a woman makes in a self-defense scenario to survive must be respected.

Use building blocks. We will not tell you what you “should” or “should not” do to protect yourself. We will provide options, techniques, and ideas for analyzing situations. We will provide techniques that work in most situations for you to build on. The final decision on how to protect yourself rests with you.

Our seminars, classes and online discussion groups are to provide solid techniques as well as support to women learning self-defense.