FAQ
About Defend Yourself classes and workshops
How do I pick a self-defense class?
What's the difference between martial arts and self defense?
Every class, no matter how long or short, covers three areas:
- Prevention and awareness: things you can do to prevent or avoid an attack or abuse
- Assertiveness and verbal self-defense: using words and body language to stop obnoxious or intrusive behavior and to keep a situation from escalating
- Physical self-defense: techniques to end a physical attack and get away to safety
We learn these techniques through discussion, role-plays, exercises, and more.
The skills we teach work! Any woman can do them, and our students have used them to prevent or stop attacks.
This is not a martial arts class. You won’t have to practice for hours to learn practical skills. Even after the first class or a short workshop, you will go home with techniques you can use if you need to.
Who can take the class?
We can organize a class or workshop for any group, no matter the age (3 and up), gender, ability, etc. For example, we have led workshops for lesbian and gay college students, for adults who have multiple sclerosis, and for social service workers who have lots of contact with the public. (Find out more about setting up a class for your group.)
The classes that we open to the public are for women and teen girls age 16 and up. We also have teen classes and a program called GIRLSPEAK for girls ages 11 to 13. (Check our current schedule.)
Contact us to tell us what you are looking for, and we can make it happen!
I’m short/overweight/not athletic/older. I have an injury or a disability.
Can I do it?
Yes! Everyone can improve their skills and expand their options in case of an attack. This is not martial arts, and you don’t have to be fit to use the techniques we teach. They are skills that everyone can use every day to keep themselves safer.
Defend Yourself teachers have extensive experience teaching people from all walks of life, including those with physical limitations. They will work with you to adapt the techniques to something that works for you.
How do I register for a class or bring a workshop to my group?
Check our schedule of upcoming classes. Or learn about bringing Defend Yourself to your workplace, community group, Girl Scout troop, etc. Call us at 301-608-3708 or e-mail us.
Who are the teachers?
Lead instructor Lauren Taylor has studied and taught self-defense since 1985. She holds the rank of black belt in tae kwon do, a traditional Korean martial art. She specializes in teaching self-defense to women, to people with disabilities, to LGBTQ people, and to survivors of abuse and assault. She and other Defend Yourself instructors all have training in self-defense, martial arts, and teaching.
I have more questions. Who can I talk to?
Call Lauren Taylor at 301-608-3708 or e-mail her. We’re happy to talk and answer any questions you have!
How do I pick a self-defense class?
Self-defense is more than physical skills to fight back against an attack. A good self-defense class teaches awareness, assertiveness, verbal confrontation, safety strategies, and physical techniques. These skills can help you prevent, escape, resist, and survive assault, abuse, or harassment. A good course provides training in psychological awareness and verbal skills, not just physical strikes.
In picking a class, look for a program or an instructor who:
- Knows the facts about abuse and assault aimed at women, and tailors her classes to this reality. For example, a good class will address situations involving acquaintances and romantic partners, as well as attacks by strangers.
- Knows the emotional realities of women’s lives and is able to work with each student where she is. For example, a good teacher is able to adapt verbal and physical techniques to each student’s strengths and challenges; she will not have a “one-size-fits-all” program.
- Respects women’s decisions on how to handle dangerous or threatening situations and does not blame or judge survivors.
- Offers techniques, knowledge, and strategies to help students make their own decisions about how to handle situations. She does not tell students what they should or should not do.
- Helps students empower themselves not only in the practice of self-defense but also in teaching the program. For example, students should be free to determine their own levels of participation in the class, and no one should feel pressured into doing specific exercises.
(Thanks to the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault for some of this material.)
Martial arts and self-defense: What’s the difference?
Self-defense and martial arts are not the same thing!
Many people have the idea that to learn to protect themselves against everyday dangers they have to learn a martial art--they have to learn Michelle Yeoh’s or Jackie Chan’s moves. This simply isn’t true.
While many martial arts did evolve as self-defense systems, they suited the needs of a people in a specific time and place (such as sword-fighting on horseback in 17th century Korea). They don’t necessarily translate well to practical, modern-day needs. You’re not, for example, going to do a flying kick to a potential date rapist, workplace harasser, or child abuser.
Instead, you can use self-defense techniques for the real dangers women and girls face in our society today, such as harassment, abuse, and sexual assault. These are best addressed through a quality women’s self-defense class.
Self-defense and martial arts each have strengths--and they do have things in common. Here are a few:
SELF-DEFENSE: Anybody can learn basic self-defense skills, even somebody small, elderly, with physical disabilities, overweight, or out of shape. It is not a form of exercise.
MARTIAL ARTS: Is a good workout. Will get you in shape and bring you the health benefits of fitness. Some schools are geared toward sports and competition and attract younger or more athletic people. Other schools are non-competitive and view martial arts as a practice open to anyone.
BOTH: Get you in touch with your physical power.
SELF-DEFENSE: Teaches skills to use against harassment, abuse, and assault, including everyday situations that don’t involve physical attack.
MARTIAL ARTS: May teach awareness to help with prevention, and may help develop confidence to handle daily situations. The physical fighting techniques of martial arts, though, are not usually practical or realistic for the kind of attacks that happen in today’s world.
BOTH: Increase confidence.
SELF-DEFENSE: Effective skills that can be learned quickly.
MARTIAL ARTS: Must be studied for a long time to attain proficiency; often a life-long pursuit.
BOTH: Create a stronger mind-body connection.
SELF-DEFENSE: Develops self-respect and awareness. Encourages personal insights into experiences with violence.
MARTIAL ARTS: Develops discipline, respect, focus.
BOTH: May spur internal change as well as learning specific skills.
SELF-DEFENSE: Depending on the program, may connect to feminism, anti-racism, and larger sociopolitical issues. Develops a broader awareness of issues related to violence against women and girls.
MARTIAL ARTS: Depending on the focus of each school, may encourage spiritual development and/or martial arts as sport and competition.
BOTH: May make connections beyond the particular focus of the program or school.
