Are you considering a women’s self defense class? We highly recommend it! It’s a chance to pack a lot of education into a condensed time frame, equipping you with skills that we want you to have but hope you won’t need.
But first, we get it: committing to a course can feel intimidating. And if you’ve dealt with violence or trauma in the past, reliving those types of encounters isn’t a pleasant prospect.
Let’s start by discussing what a self defense class is, what it isn’t, and what you can expect.
What’s covered in a women’s self defense course?
The entire goal behind these courses is to teach women practical techniques for physical self defense against sexual assault, dangerous encounters, physical violence, and real attacks. We’ll explore different scenarios and ways to either deescalate the situation or protect yourself from harm.
A women’s self defense course is NOT…
- An in-depth martial arts program. Self defense is about practical, easy-to-remember responses, not technical maneuvers.
- Only for fit people with a specific background. This is a chance for anyone to learn critical skills and grow in confidence.
- A guarantee of safety. Self defense courses are important, but they shouldn’t instill unrealistic expectations or a false sense of security.
- Intimidating or scary. This isn’t bootcamp! We want you to feel secure, safe, and in control of your education.
What can you expect at a women’s defense course?
Simple. Practical. Easy.
Self defense courses are not the time or place for complicated training, sparring, and fancy moves. The course you enroll in should focus on the basics, equipping you to avoid violence when possible, and giving you tools to protect yourself should violence be unavoidable.
Please also note that self defense courses should never be “hard core” or intimidating. If a martial arts studio promotes them in that way, it can be a red flag. Instead, your course offering should offer the following:
- A focus on basic maneuvers with more advanced techniques saved for future training
- Learn how to predict, recognize, and protect yourself from violence
- Defense training against common attacks
- Learn how to deescalate a dangerous situation (avoiding a confrontation is the best way to stay safe)
- How to keep yourself calm and under control
As we touched on above, your course should never feel threatening. This is a time for you to learn practical defenses while connecting with your classmates and instructors.
If you have more questions about what to expect or if a women’s self defense course is right for you, contact us at Hassett Jiu Jitsu. It would be our pleasure to talk with you in more detail.