SELF-DEFENSE

Self-defense is a set of verbal, psychological, and physical techniques you can use to defend yourself in situations ranging from unwanted or harassing comments to physical abuse and rape.

Self-defense training helps with everyday assertiveness and boundary setting as well as preparing you to fight back in physical attacks. Women's self defense training incorporate an understanding of the kinds of violence most often experienced by women and the common social and psychological barriers women face in learning to fight back.

Women learning self-defense gain both physical and verbal defense skills and the will to use them against an attacker. Self-defense classes also give women a rare opportunity to explore the broad spectrum of emotions that often arise when we start to understand the level of violence in our society. It is an excellent vehicle for exploring anger, grief, and fear, and for tapping into the joy that comes from finding your voice and discovering your own internal power.

Self-defense is much more than just fighting back against your attacker.  It is knowing what to say, how to think, and how NOT to put yourself in danger.

The first rule in self-defense is to not put yourself into a situation that would put you in danger.  How do you do that?  The easy answer is in many, many ways.  They might seem like common sense, but so many women ignore this basic piece of advice.  We think it needs stressed.