Women's Self Defense Course

We offer intensive women’s self-defense courses. This is not just a seminar but a hands on realistic scenario based course. Husbands, boyfriends, and spectators are not welcome due to the subject matter. These courses are not on any set schedule and only take place when contacted by women’s groups, clubs, schools, churches, offices etc. Teens are also welcome as well, as long as the child is mature enough to handle the adult situations and content. All it takes is a group of 6 or more ladies that are interested and committed to the class. I have found that the best time to have these classes take place is on Saturday mornings. They are typically 2 hour classes and meet once a week for approximately 4 to 6 weeks. However, the day of the week can be changed and the course longer if requested by the group upon setup. This course can also be set up where we come to you if you have a suitable area for us to work. We will be happy to work with you and your group to schedule a class that works best for your group. Private group classes can also be set up.
If you are an individual, do not have a group, and would like to be notified about a group setting up a class please send me an email and I will put you on a contact list the next time a class is scheduled.
If you are an individual, do not have a group, and would like to be notified about a group setting up a class please send me an email and I will put you on a contact list the next time a class is scheduled.
Violent Crime Against Females In South Carolina

According to the Violence Policy Center South Carolina is ranked 2nd in the country when it comes to women murdered by men. Statistics from the South Carolina Attorney General’s office also state that in 2011 of the 52 people murdered by a household member 39 of those were women with Greenville County having the highest number at 5. South Carolina has been at the top of the list for criminal domestic violence for over the past 13 years with no end in site.
What to expect

This course is a condensed version of our regular classes geared specifically toward women and their needs. It will consist of practical basic techniques that anyone can apply and retain with practice utilizing philosophies designed for effective use in self-defense situations. In truth there are two types of self-defense, mental and physical, with mental being the most important as it is our first line of defense. We will discuss how to see, evaluate and avoid many potential dangers. However, this will not be one of those “no touch” classes that only talk about theory, which have become so popular. Nor is the instructor wearing a unrealistic giant head or “red man” suit where he just stands there, giving no resistance. Don't get me wrong those classes give some great tips on how to avoid many situations just as ours will. And yes they will be far less intimidating than my class. However, they will not prepare you for what a real physical attack might be like. My job is not to entertain you for 6 weeks but to give you an understanding what it takes to survive a violent attack. Our training is full contact and even though you will be pushed to stir real emotions it is done in a very safe and controlled way. Instructor (s) will be wearing full body armor where movement can be done naturally and freely with full visibility. You will be shoved around, called names screamed at and held down much like a real attack might unfold. When you strike, it should be delivered as if you were actually in that situation with no holding back. You should feel like your life is truly at stake. By doing this you will quickly see what it is like to strike another human beings as well as how much energy is expended when your are excited, or afraid.You have to be young, workout or in fighting shape to be able to complete this class. You just need to be motivated to take control of your life and do whatever it takes to survive. What I teach has nothing to do with strength and everything to do with knowledge of the human body and determination. I have had 60+ year old students that have completed the class so do not let this intimidate you. If you truly want to know what you would do in a real situation, this is the only way. It is important to understand that you will not fully know how you react unless you experience the adrenaline, emotions, and realities associated with an attack. We will explore the truths and myths of a potentially violent attack, your strengths, your weaknesses, and especially your options. You will be placed in scenarios ranging from first contact to actual hands on experience of what a real physical attack might be like. Many people will tell you that all you need is a gun so people going out and getting their CWP (Concealed Weapons Permits) believing that they will now be safe from attack however, this is far from the truth. For both men and women this can be a very dangerous false sense of security. All a CWP does is allow you to legally carry a firearm learning how to utilize it properly falls on you. For that reason will also discuss and explore the realities of drawing and using a firearm and other traditional and improvised weapons for self-defense during a a self-defense situation.
True training begins with understanding why one has decided to take the class and what your motivators are. After separating myth from fact the next step will be to build a strong lasting mental and physical base for self-defense that will in time become part of you with practice. I do not take this type of training lightly; do you?
True training begins with understanding why one has decided to take the class and what your motivators are. After separating myth from fact the next step will be to build a strong lasting mental and physical base for self-defense that will in time become part of you with practice. I do not take this type of training lightly; do you?
A reason to seek training

Self defense is not only for when someone attacks you in a parking lot. It’s also a way for one to understand that you are just as important as anybody else. I routinely receive emails and phone calls from women who have been attacked, sexually assaulted or raped. They all say they want to know how to take back control of their lives. I tell each and every one that it is possible but only when they are truly ready to make a stand and end the self doubt and fear. You can not teach anyone who is not ready. Do you want to wait until something horrible happens to decide you need to take control of your own safety? Training also allows you to find the courage to stand up for what you believe in and what you know is right. Through the years I have had many husbands and boyfriends dislike me because of the increased confidence and independence their once quite submissive wives or girlfriends have discovered within themselves. I have also had many disturbing comments on our women’s youtube videos stating that women have no place learning self defense and would not get hit if they acted more like a female and knew there place. This is a mindset that tells us just what kind of person they truly are. Once a lady told me she didn’t feel she was even worth raping. I don’t know about you but I find this mindset very disturbing. This type of low self image is why far more cases of abuse go unreported than reported. I know the darkness that many women live with makes them feel there is no hope but your wrong, there is. If you live in a situation like this there really is help for you and you can do something about it; you just have to have the courage to take that first step, admit there is a problem and ask for help. Even if you live in a loving home with children make sure you educate your children. Let them know that these problems do exist and teach them that we are all equals and we all should be treated as such. Sadly this lack of equality is passed down regardless of gender to our children especially here in the south. And I feel it is the reason for some much of the violence we are now seeing. We must start early on teaching our children so that they grow up understanding that no one person, race or gender is better than another and that they should always treat others the way that they would want to be treated; with respect.
What else is there?
You may be wondering if there are any other options for learning personal self-defense if you are unable to find a women's class offered in your area. I am often approached by women who feel that their only choice for self-defense training is a women's class. If you are seeking more than just a few weeks of training then our regular classes may be what you are actually looking for. All of our training at the dojo is focused on personal self-defense regardless of gender. Martial arts and self-defense training are or should I say should be one in the same. Learning to defend one's self should not be gender specific. I am sure this confusion is largely due to the fact that many schools list that they offer both "martial arts" and "self-defense" classes. One their site these classes are scheduled to meet on different days and even have separate cost so you can choose one or the other. This is something that I have always had a hard time understanding this thought process. I have always believed that the study of martial arts is and should always be a way of learning how to defend oneself regardless of size, strength or gender. The system that is taught in this dojo is an art designed for self-defense as well as self-realization. What I teach in my children's, daily co-ed classes and my women's courses is the same material. In my regular daily classes I am able to spend more time helping the students gain a much deeper study of the techniques, their meaning, purpose, and a deeper understanding of how and when to use each technique. In the women's courses focus on situational awareness and basic techniques for women who are looking for short-term, personal self-defense training, without the deeper study of the art. Many women have expressed to me that they are intimidated and feel uncomfortable training with men. It is understandable for someone to not have the time nor interest in studying martial arts in-depth, however keep in mind that a true understanding of self-defense is not something that can be taught or mastered within just a few weeks of training. This is not to say that you will not be able to defend yourself, it means that self-defense techniques are perishable skills that must a become part of you and your daily life through practice, study, and understanding. In order to achieve lasting results you must give value to your life and ask yourself what it is worth and what are you willing to do to protect yourself.
Things to be cautious of when searching for or attending any self-defense class
Here are a few things that I suggest you consider in your search for a self-defense class and instructor.
Promotes fun or fitness
Be wary of classes that promote fun or that you will have a great time or get in shape. These are very different things that I feel do not go together. There is nothing fun or entertaining about the subject of domestic violence or rape. This training should be taken very seriously and not be taken lightly. The goal of the class should be about survival, not having fun. I have had many assault and rape victims attend my classes and not one of them joined the class to be entertained or to lose weight.
No contact class
Any classes where you only go through the motions will not prepare you for responding to a violent attack. My classes require you to actually apply the techniques on another person (ie on an aggressive male) in stressful scenario based situations. By going through the motion you will not know how you would actually respond during a real encounter. As intimidating as it will be, you must experience the emotions and stress that it causes. These situations should be experienced both verbally and physically to truly help you understand the nature of the encounter and how you should responsed.
Large seminars.
Many large "lecture style" seminar classes typically do not require or allow hands-on learning. Instead, these classes involve more discussion on theory and what not to do, wear, go, and say. They may suggest techniques to deal with an assailant however, it is much easier said than done. Although the tips on avoiding a potential bad situation may be very useful these classes do not offer any valuable information for what to do at the moment you have been physically attacked. All of the information in the world will do nothing if you do not know how to apply it.
Realistic training
Be wary of class where you are not required to get into the moment and stir real emotions to make it feel real in your mind. If the scenario training does not cause you to fear for your life, then you will likely never truly know how you will respond in a real situation. It may be horrifying but it is a vital part of the training. Fear and adrenaline are often overlooked when training for self-defense. You must learn to control your emotions, calm down, and focus on what needs to be done. Also, be wary of any class that promotes minimal or non-resistance in "hope" that your assailant will not do any more harm to you. In 2013 a college promoted that as a last resort students should claim to be menstruating or have a disease. Another suggestion was that the victim should vomit or urinate in hopes this may convince the attacker to release and let them go. This particular college was teaching that resistance on the victims part might lead to more harm, which leads me to wonder if they were suggesting victims not fight back at all. Every situation will inevitably be is different. Only you can decide which action is most appropriate. You will have to make some serious split second choices and be willing to do anything to survive. Are you willing to risk your life based on the “gross factor”? I would think this might just make things worse by angering the attacker.
Information
An instructor who does not allow or can't answer all of your questions or concerns should not be teaching the class. A seasoned qualified instructor should be willing, able and prepared to field questions from their students. Many classes are offered by people in and out of the martial arts world with only minimal physical or only theoretical knowledge of self-defense. An instructor once told me to never admit to a student that I did not know the answer to a question they posed. This was a lesson in teaching that I chose not to accept however, it was a lesson that I never forgot. This lack of knowledge can be dangerous because of the subject matter. I have never claimed to know all of the answers and I do my very best to always be prepared however, when I am asked a question that I do not know the answer to I assure them that by the next class I will have the information for them.
You can't…
Be very suspicious of any instructor who tells you "you can't do that". The first things I go over with ALL of my students is falling and learning to protect themselves from the ground. We cover how to protect ourselves from a fall, throw, or push as well as how once there how to keep someone from turning you around or getting on top of you. It is very common for physical confrontations to inevitably end up on the ground especially those involving a sexual assault. A student of mine was working at a local sporting range where a women's self-defense class was being held. While watching the class he witnessed one of the students ask the instructor if they were going to be taught how to fight on the ground. She was told "no" This instructor was advising women that if a man took them to the ground there was nothing that a female could do to defend herself once on the ground. This in itself should have raised questions and/or emptied his class but it didn’t. His answer was accepted by the female students. This is misinformation he was teaching. In my opinion, through all of my years of teaching this is absolutely wrong and misinformation like this leaves the students with no hope, feeling like there are no or options. But in reality there are a lot of options.
How invested is the instructor
Do you feel the instructor is teaching just to to get paid, to look important, or are they invested in the subject matter, the students, and transmitting important knowledge to those who need it. If you can't decided just by talking to them just outright ask the instructor how they feel about the material that they are teaching. Ask them why they teach. Based on their response do you feel the instructor believes in what they are teaching? Do you feel the ideas and techniques they suggest would work in the real world against a non-compliant person? Ask if the training is tailored to each individual. This is important, as there is no one size fits all in self-defense. Is the instructor willing to play the part of an attacker and have you apply the techniques on them realistically with power and intent? Or, are the techniques only preformed against other females in the class or only on striking shield?
I sincerely hope this information is helpful however, if you have any other questions or concerns about self-defense training for any member of your home male, female, young or old please feel free to contact me and I will do my best to help resolve them.
Promotes fun or fitness
Be wary of classes that promote fun or that you will have a great time or get in shape. These are very different things that I feel do not go together. There is nothing fun or entertaining about the subject of domestic violence or rape. This training should be taken very seriously and not be taken lightly. The goal of the class should be about survival, not having fun. I have had many assault and rape victims attend my classes and not one of them joined the class to be entertained or to lose weight.
No contact class
Any classes where you only go through the motions will not prepare you for responding to a violent attack. My classes require you to actually apply the techniques on another person (ie on an aggressive male) in stressful scenario based situations. By going through the motion you will not know how you would actually respond during a real encounter. As intimidating as it will be, you must experience the emotions and stress that it causes. These situations should be experienced both verbally and physically to truly help you understand the nature of the encounter and how you should responsed.
Large seminars.
Many large "lecture style" seminar classes typically do not require or allow hands-on learning. Instead, these classes involve more discussion on theory and what not to do, wear, go, and say. They may suggest techniques to deal with an assailant however, it is much easier said than done. Although the tips on avoiding a potential bad situation may be very useful these classes do not offer any valuable information for what to do at the moment you have been physically attacked. All of the information in the world will do nothing if you do not know how to apply it.
Realistic training
Be wary of class where you are not required to get into the moment and stir real emotions to make it feel real in your mind. If the scenario training does not cause you to fear for your life, then you will likely never truly know how you will respond in a real situation. It may be horrifying but it is a vital part of the training. Fear and adrenaline are often overlooked when training for self-defense. You must learn to control your emotions, calm down, and focus on what needs to be done. Also, be wary of any class that promotes minimal or non-resistance in "hope" that your assailant will not do any more harm to you. In 2013 a college promoted that as a last resort students should claim to be menstruating or have a disease. Another suggestion was that the victim should vomit or urinate in hopes this may convince the attacker to release and let them go. This particular college was teaching that resistance on the victims part might lead to more harm, which leads me to wonder if they were suggesting victims not fight back at all. Every situation will inevitably be is different. Only you can decide which action is most appropriate. You will have to make some serious split second choices and be willing to do anything to survive. Are you willing to risk your life based on the “gross factor”? I would think this might just make things worse by angering the attacker.
Information
An instructor who does not allow or can't answer all of your questions or concerns should not be teaching the class. A seasoned qualified instructor should be willing, able and prepared to field questions from their students. Many classes are offered by people in and out of the martial arts world with only minimal physical or only theoretical knowledge of self-defense. An instructor once told me to never admit to a student that I did not know the answer to a question they posed. This was a lesson in teaching that I chose not to accept however, it was a lesson that I never forgot. This lack of knowledge can be dangerous because of the subject matter. I have never claimed to know all of the answers and I do my very best to always be prepared however, when I am asked a question that I do not know the answer to I assure them that by the next class I will have the information for them.
You can't…
Be very suspicious of any instructor who tells you "you can't do that". The first things I go over with ALL of my students is falling and learning to protect themselves from the ground. We cover how to protect ourselves from a fall, throw, or push as well as how once there how to keep someone from turning you around or getting on top of you. It is very common for physical confrontations to inevitably end up on the ground especially those involving a sexual assault. A student of mine was working at a local sporting range where a women's self-defense class was being held. While watching the class he witnessed one of the students ask the instructor if they were going to be taught how to fight on the ground. She was told "no" This instructor was advising women that if a man took them to the ground there was nothing that a female could do to defend herself once on the ground. This in itself should have raised questions and/or emptied his class but it didn’t. His answer was accepted by the female students. This is misinformation he was teaching. In my opinion, through all of my years of teaching this is absolutely wrong and misinformation like this leaves the students with no hope, feeling like there are no or options. But in reality there are a lot of options.
How invested is the instructor
Do you feel the instructor is teaching just to to get paid, to look important, or are they invested in the subject matter, the students, and transmitting important knowledge to those who need it. If you can't decided just by talking to them just outright ask the instructor how they feel about the material that they are teaching. Ask them why they teach. Based on their response do you feel the instructor believes in what they are teaching? Do you feel the ideas and techniques they suggest would work in the real world against a non-compliant person? Ask if the training is tailored to each individual. This is important, as there is no one size fits all in self-defense. Is the instructor willing to play the part of an attacker and have you apply the techniques on them realistically with power and intent? Or, are the techniques only preformed against other females in the class or only on striking shield?
I sincerely hope this information is helpful however, if you have any other questions or concerns about self-defense training for any member of your home male, female, young or old please feel free to contact me and I will do my best to help resolve them.
Remember that in any situation pure common sense will help you make good judgment calls. If you need help making the decision to keep taking unnecessary risk or to become more street smart, take the time to think about your family and then take a good look at the morning paper or evening news and see what its like reading about someone who will have no second chance. The worst thing that you could do is to say, “Oh, it couldn't happen to me”.
Please use the buttons below to contact me for more information on setting up a class or go to our video page to see videos of some of our past women's classes. Also please check out my blog "The unfortunate realities of teaching women's self defense classes."
Please use the buttons below to contact me for more information on setting up a class or go to our video page to see videos of some of our past women's classes. Also please check out my blog "The unfortunate realities of teaching women's self defense classes."
Below are some reviews written by women who have taken our women's self-defense course.
***** 5 stars!!
I've been pondering this review, trying to find the right words to describe how impactful this class has been to my life. The phrases that quickly come to mind are "life changing", "empowering", "intense", and "must do". However, I felt this class deserved an even more uncontrived review - something that spoke to the vast chasm between the feeling before and after the scenarios. Something the captured the fact that you enabled us to push through the flutters of anxiety and fear of the unknown and fight for survival.
I think the truth of your success in teaching this was made clear to me recently in a dream. I found myself in a hotel room when someone knocked on my door. A man violently forced himself into the room. In the dream I clearly remember my first thoughts... "It's on!! Pick your moment." I woke up immediately after this but felt a wash of confidence, NOT FEAR. I was amazed that this dream, which could have been a nightmare was turned on its head by the strategies you taught us week after week. I am forever grateful that you have shown me the power I possess and that I can fight back.
-Katie Kratky (big Katie)
I've been pondering this review, trying to find the right words to describe how impactful this class has been to my life. The phrases that quickly come to mind are "life changing", "empowering", "intense", and "must do". However, I felt this class deserved an even more uncontrived review - something that spoke to the vast chasm between the feeling before and after the scenarios. Something the captured the fact that you enabled us to push through the flutters of anxiety and fear of the unknown and fight for survival.
I think the truth of your success in teaching this was made clear to me recently in a dream. I found myself in a hotel room when someone knocked on my door. A man violently forced himself into the room. In the dream I clearly remember my first thoughts... "It's on!! Pick your moment." I woke up immediately after this but felt a wash of confidence, NOT FEAR. I was amazed that this dream, which could have been a nightmare was turned on its head by the strategies you taught us week after week. I am forever grateful that you have shown me the power I possess and that I can fight back.
-Katie Kratky (big Katie)
This is absolutely the best thing I have ever done for myself and my child. If you have the opportunity to take the ladies self defense class, you should. It was challenging and so informative. I learned so much in such a small amount of time. Jennifer and Don are amazing teachers.
-Melinda Walker Lindberg
-Melinda Walker Lindberg
I sat down with my pen and paper and thought, “What can I say about this Women’s Self-Defense course?” There was so much learning in six weeks it is hard to explain, but I will do my best.
Driving down the driveway you are immediately transported into another world, a world of Japanese culture and design. A short walk down a cobblestone path, through a Japanese gate, and I was standing in front of the dojo. As I entered the dojo the scent of incense tickled my senses, reminiscent of my teenage years. As I stepped further into the dojo, I was met with many women who were quite nervous, as was I. Sensei Ogle was quick to sit us down and answer any burning questions and concerns. He was quite thorough in his explanation of the course. The best description he gave was, “This is not an easy class,” (simple truth right there folks). Over the next six weeks we would work on falling correctly, striking, ground work, kubatons, awareness, escaping duct tape and zip ties, choking, and my least favorite verbal judo (What? We have to use our words?!).
After nerves were calmed, teaching began. Sensei is a fantastic teacher. The best way to describe his style of teaching is “reality teaching.” He has stories galore of experiences. He gives down-to-earth explanations and visuals of techniques such as the “oh crap” technique, “rabbit hole,” “the hug,” “Dracula’s cape,” or my favorite “the kiss of death” (Godfather reference anyone?). He puts you in situations which may occur in your own life; this is the hardest part of his reality teaching. He also loves for you to ask questions and gives direct answers. If you still don’t understand something, he will find another way to explain it to you. In his own words, “If you have questions, always ask them.” Time is given freely as well. There were several classes when we stayed an hour and a half past the “scheduled time.” He truly wants everyone who comes to the dojo to learn and succeed.
My own experience with this course is one I will never forget. The techniques were fairly easy for me to pick up (Dojo tip: Don’t ever tell him something like this in class, you’ll regret it later.); it was the mental portion of the course that was difficult and quite unexpected. If you truly listen to his teachings; deeper, personal life experiences might creep up (ninja style of course). Fear definitely will creep in and might make you want to turn hightail and run. Some women never finished the course, and I have a feeling it was due to fear. The best thing to do when fear begins to creep in is to “face it” as Sensei would say. Through this class you will face fear, learn many techniques, attain mental fortitude, gain confidence, and most importantly obtain insight into your own strengths and weaknesses.
I would highly recommend this course to every woman. This course will bruise you. It will scare you. It will challenge you. It will cause you to lose sleep. But all of these things are a small price to pay in exchange for the empowerment you will receive when you have finished the course. What might I say to you who are thinking about taking this course? Stephen King said it best, “You can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.”
-Stephanie Szkolnicki
Driving down the driveway you are immediately transported into another world, a world of Japanese culture and design. A short walk down a cobblestone path, through a Japanese gate, and I was standing in front of the dojo. As I entered the dojo the scent of incense tickled my senses, reminiscent of my teenage years. As I stepped further into the dojo, I was met with many women who were quite nervous, as was I. Sensei Ogle was quick to sit us down and answer any burning questions and concerns. He was quite thorough in his explanation of the course. The best description he gave was, “This is not an easy class,” (simple truth right there folks). Over the next six weeks we would work on falling correctly, striking, ground work, kubatons, awareness, escaping duct tape and zip ties, choking, and my least favorite verbal judo (What? We have to use our words?!).
After nerves were calmed, teaching began. Sensei is a fantastic teacher. The best way to describe his style of teaching is “reality teaching.” He has stories galore of experiences. He gives down-to-earth explanations and visuals of techniques such as the “oh crap” technique, “rabbit hole,” “the hug,” “Dracula’s cape,” or my favorite “the kiss of death” (Godfather reference anyone?). He puts you in situations which may occur in your own life; this is the hardest part of his reality teaching. He also loves for you to ask questions and gives direct answers. If you still don’t understand something, he will find another way to explain it to you. In his own words, “If you have questions, always ask them.” Time is given freely as well. There were several classes when we stayed an hour and a half past the “scheduled time.” He truly wants everyone who comes to the dojo to learn and succeed.
My own experience with this course is one I will never forget. The techniques were fairly easy for me to pick up (Dojo tip: Don’t ever tell him something like this in class, you’ll regret it later.); it was the mental portion of the course that was difficult and quite unexpected. If you truly listen to his teachings; deeper, personal life experiences might creep up (ninja style of course). Fear definitely will creep in and might make you want to turn hightail and run. Some women never finished the course, and I have a feeling it was due to fear. The best thing to do when fear begins to creep in is to “face it” as Sensei would say. Through this class you will face fear, learn many techniques, attain mental fortitude, gain confidence, and most importantly obtain insight into your own strengths and weaknesses.
I would highly recommend this course to every woman. This course will bruise you. It will scare you. It will challenge you. It will cause you to lose sleep. But all of these things are a small price to pay in exchange for the empowerment you will receive when you have finished the course. What might I say to you who are thinking about taking this course? Stephen King said it best, “You can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.”
-Stephanie Szkolnicki
If I'm being honest, signing up for Don's Women's Self Defense class wasn't my idea. It was my dad's. I had been forcibly thrown out of my home, stripped of my idea of safety, and emotionally abused and neglected for years - I had zero self worth and I felt useless and unlovable. In my mind, I was at fault and deserved this crappy treatment. Why would I seek empowerment?
Sure, Don and Jen teach you how to moose stomp the hell out of a MFer (something about soft points) - but this class is about way more. In this class, you will learn to defend yourself, and you have to love yourself. You will learn that you are not responsible for anyone's treatment of you, and you do not have to be their victim. This class wasn't fun: it was violent, and I legit look like a domestic abuse victim even a week after my last class. I'd do it again, though.
-Diana Brown
Sure, Don and Jen teach you how to moose stomp the hell out of a MFer (something about soft points) - but this class is about way more. In this class, you will learn to defend yourself, and you have to love yourself. You will learn that you are not responsible for anyone's treatment of you, and you do not have to be their victim. This class wasn't fun: it was violent, and I legit look like a domestic abuse victim even a week after my last class. I'd do it again, though.
-Diana Brown
I read a quote by Susan B Anthony 6 months ago that read- "I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself." I wrote that quote down and put it everywhere that I would be able to see it daily. That was the type of strength I had hoped to gain one day, but I never thought I would achieve it. I was always so scared to stand up for myself, or to even say when somebody was making me uncomfortable. Because at the age of 18, I thought that it never really mattered what I had said, if a man wanted something from me, he was going to take it. I just learned to shut up and deal with whatever came next. For years I was told that all I was good for was my body, and I stupidly believed it. I had no self worth, or confidence. Last year I got touched by a "professional" male, and I decided that I was done being men's piece of meat, something that they felt like they could touch and grab whenever they pleased. That day, I went home and googled women's self defense classes. Yours was one of the top 3 that popped up. I spent hours watching and rewatching very single video that was up. I read every article that was on your website. I was so scared by the intensity of it, I remember crying telling my mom I wasn't sure if I could do your class or not. But days later, something kept pulling me back to your website, and I knew in my heart your Dojo was the one I was supposed to end up at. The first time I called you, I was trembling with fear. And we both know how absolutely terrified I was the first time I met you. But at the end of our meeting, I felt a peace that I haven't felt in years. I could hear my dad in the back my head telling me that this will be a place of healing and transformation for me. I knew my entire life was about to change, and this time I was willing to do anything to get there. That meeting was 6 weeks ago, I'm not the same woman I was back then. You have awakened a dragon in me that I wasn't aware that was there until now. I'm no longer that scared and vulnerable woman who feels like she cant stick up for herself. I am now a woman who knows that I can stick up for myself. I can tell a man to leave me alone, and not be worried if I can defend myself or not. I know that I can get thrown to the ground over and over again, and get right back up with a smile on my face. I am a woman who can literally get flattened by a man and cry, but not from the pain, but because I know you wouldn't allow me to continue my training until I healed. I remember telling you that I wanted to get my life back, I thought it would take months, not 6 weeks. I wouldn't have been able to come this far in this short amount of time with anybody else as my Sensei. Thank you for the countless pep talks. For believing in me, when at times I didn't believe in myself. Thank you for how far you were willing to push me, just to show me that I can do things that I once thought I wasn't capable of doing. I will never be able to thank you enough for helping me gain my life back. And for allowing me to continue training at your Dojo after the women's self defense class. You have changed my life. I just hope that I can make you proud. I know I will never be as bad ass as Miss Jenn, but she is who I'm inspiring to be like. I cannot wait to see what the next few weeks, months and hopefully years has in store for this baby ninja. Thank you again, for everything.
-Hannah Joy
Olivia and I finished our self-defense class last Saturday. It was a very intense, emotional, eye-opening, and empowering experience. In 6 weeks, we were taught how to fall, use a kubaton, several different choke holds, how to use leverage instead of body strength, and close combat moves. We were duck taped, zip-tied, attacked, cried, laughed, and sweated for more than a few hours a week. We enjoyed it so much we went to extra classes during the week to learn more.
Olivia is amazing! She was the youngest girl (daughter) there and she blew me away with everything she was placed in. Don and Jennifer are amazing instructors and inspirational people to know and be around. Thank you for giving us so much of your time and attention (running sometimes an hour and half over) to make sure we got the lesson of the day down.
This was the best decision I made for Olivia and I to take this class and I would recommend it to any lady when he offers it again. It isn't for the faint of heart but it could save you from situations you wouldn't want to be in. Thank you for giving Olivia and I the confidence to know what to do if bad situations arise.
-AnnLee Giltner
Olivia is amazing! She was the youngest girl (daughter) there and she blew me away with everything she was placed in. Don and Jennifer are amazing instructors and inspirational people to know and be around. Thank you for giving us so much of your time and attention (running sometimes an hour and half over) to make sure we got the lesson of the day down.
This was the best decision I made for Olivia and I to take this class and I would recommend it to any lady when he offers it again. It isn't for the faint of heart but it could save you from situations you wouldn't want to be in. Thank you for giving Olivia and I the confidence to know what to do if bad situations arise.
-AnnLee Giltner
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