Women & Girls Self-Defense Seminar (Ages 13+)

Athena, the Greek goddess of war and wisdom

Seminar Outline

Martial arts can be used for self-defense, but it must be taught in the right context. This workshop will focus on providing necessary tools for female safety by addressing two key factors: how to detect and deter threats, followed by the physical techniques to escape common attacks.

 

  • Fighting is only a portion of self-defense, but it's not the only factor. The first and most crucial part of the seminar is understanding how violence occurs and having non-physical strategies to deal with common scenarios faced by women and girls. When we have awareness of certain behaviors and know how to communicate, we can cease certain interactions for our safety.

  • Sometimes despite our best efforts, non-violent solutions are not enough to prevent further harm, especially when attacks happen unexpectedly. This is where physical abilities are necessary to address physical conflict. We will focus on defense and escapes against common, close quarter attacks from the standing position. The techniques will rely on proper leverage and placement, not just strength, in order to work regardless of your size.

  • After the seminar, students will receive access to the Queens self-defense blog which features the strategies discussed and more, along with safety resources.

 
 
 

Seminar Tips

 

  • We only have limited spots for the seminar so please complete your registration and payment beforehand.

    If this will be your first time training with us, aim to arrive 10 minutes before the seminar start time to get settled in and for a tour of the facility.

  • Our seminar is 2 hours long which is divided into a presentation and low-intensity contact drills. We recommend coming into the seminar well-rested, hydrated and nourished.

  • The second half of the seminar will include low-intensity/contact drills, so wear clothes you'll be comfortable to move around in. Please keep in mind our school guidelines for a productive, neutral training environment free from unnecessary distractions.

    • Top: long/short sleeved shirts, wear a padded sports bra underneath your top

    • Bottom: leggings, sweatpants

    Please avoid wearing beachwear, crop tops, sports bra only for top, no bra, and shirts with political or explicit content (e.g., messages, images, or brands).

  • • Towel & change of clothes

    The training portion will not be too intense but may cause sweatiness. Have a towel to dry off and a change of clothes just in case.

    • Water bottle

    We do not have any water fountains at our facility. Please bring enough water to sustain you during and after class. Small snacks are permitted in case you get hungry throughout the session.

    • Notebook & pen

    The first part of the seminar will include a presentation on safety strategies, note-taking is welcome :)

  • Women’s only classes and seminars are meant to be safe spaces for empowerment. However, learning self-defense may trigger emotions and trauma for survivors. Although everyone is encouraged to participate, at any point in the seminar students can take a moment away for themselves if needed. The skill development will include defending against close contact attacks, and since these positions can feel uncomfortable, students can choose to observe. We respect the healing process of survivors and we encourage everyone to learn at their own pace.