Head Instructor Jenn Lozada regularly teaches Women’s Self-Defense classes. Below is our current offerings for instruction. Contact us if you would like to participate in this or future self defense classes.
The upcoming series has been scheduled for Mondays, 3:30—5:00pm starting January 5th. A shorter make up/skills review session will be Thursdays, 3:30—4:15pm starting January 8th. (The Thursday session is completely optional. It’s just in case you missed a Monday or want additional reps of the material covered.)
IMPORTANT NOTE: This program weaves “soft skills” (understanding legalities/ethics, violence dynamics, avoidance, freezing and aftermath) with “hard skills” (counter ambush, fighting methods). The soft skills work can be done by anyone, even if you have limited mobility or physical skills. The hard skills are more physically demanding. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves, but we will also do our best to adapt movements to each students’ abilities.
However, we invite you to schedule this series with friends/family/coworkers at a time that works for you. The most commonly selected day and times are Saturdays from noon to 1:30pm (or 3pm if you want consecutive sessions), but that can be adjusted based on training space availability and your group’s convenience.
NOTE: We strongly encourage all participants to take the “Introduction to Women’s Self-Defense” class before taking the other classes. HOWEVER, it is NOT required!!! At some point, it’s important to take the Intro, even if it doesn’t end up being the first SD class you take with us.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE: For teens* age 13+ and adults. Minimum of 6 and maximum 16 participants per session. Most groups are female only, however men/teen boys are also welcome if that is the agreed arrangement for ALL who are participating.
WHAT TO WEAR/BRING: Please wear clothing that you can move in. You should also wear footwear that’s easy to take on and off since no shoes are allowed on the mats. Bring a note pad and pen to take notes! You can bring snacks and water, too. For some classes, you may be asked to purchase/bring equipment of your own.
*Discussions may include very mature and disturbing topics. Parents, please use your own discretion before allowing your teen(s) to participate.
COST: $200 for the entire series or $30 per class. Please let us know if you need financial assistance.
LOCATION: 1600 Carlsborg Road, Sequim, WA
PREREGISTER: Jenn Lozada • (360) 808-3197 • Venmo: @solartebjj and mention “Women’s SD”
INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN’S SELF-DEFENSE PART 1
MONDAY, JANUARY 5 • 3:30–5:00pm (Make up/review class on Thur Jan. 8 • 3:30–4:15pm)
THIS SESSION INTRODUCES YOU to concepts and training methods to help you move through the world with greater awareness and confidence. Students begin to learn about the relationship between their personal ethics, use of force and the law. We look at social, asocial and hybrid types of conflict/violence with a particular focus on the most common threat women face—a known person such as a coworker, intimate partner or other acquaintance. This program focuses on “soft skills” (understanding legalities/ethics, violence dynamics, avoidance, freezing and aftermath). Thus, don’t expect a lot of physical work related to fighting. It’s mostly lecture, discussion and training related to PREVENTION of violence. Although not required, we highly recommend you take this class before joining in “hard skills” training (counter-ambush/combat). As part of the 8-week series, we will begin to introduce boundary-setting/distance management concepts and exercises including deflecting unwanted hugs or other “too close” attention.
Homework for next class: read your information packet
INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN’S SELF-DEFENSE PART 2 (INCLUDES BOUNDARIES & DISTANCE MANAGEMENT 1 • THREAT ASSESSMENT 1)
MONDAY, JANUARY 12 • 3:30–5:00pm (Make up/review class on Thur Jan. 15 • 3:30–4:15pm)
We continue our Introductory discussion on trusting intuition, avoiding violence, escape and evasion, dealing with the effects of adrenaline, de-escalation concepts and what to say/do after an incident. We will also review physical boundary setting that we covered in the first class. Then we add on to these skills by developing strategies and concepts for assessing a known or unknown contact. We will gradually increase the level of resistance and the complexity of decision-making over the course of the session.
Homework for next class: Read over the list of 10 principles our physical skills are based on in your info packet.
DISTANCE MANAGEMENT 2 & TARGETING 1 • THREAT ASSESSMENT 2
MONDAY, JANUARY 19 • 3:30–5:00pm (Make up/review class on Thur Jan. 22 • 3:30–4:15pm)
The discussion today will go over 10 principles our physical self-defense skills are based on. It’s much easier to remember a principle or concept than memorizing a bunch of techniques! The physical work continues the concepts from Boundaries & Distance Management 1. The level of conflict and resistance increases as we deal with greater levels of conflict such as persistent unwanted contact. You’ll have the opportunity to safely train scenarios using “verbal judo,” as well as protecting yourself so that you remain conscious and standing if ambushed. We also introduce how to develop full body weight strikes and applying this tool to specific vulnerable targets on an attacker’s body. Students are welcome to bring their tactical flashlights and water-filled practice pepper spray.
Homework for next class: Read info packet’s notes on self-defense law and articulation.
TARGETING 2 • ARTICULATION (LEGALITIES & ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS)
MONDAY, JANUARY 26 • 3:30–5:00pm (Make up/review class on Thur Jan. 29 • 3:30–4:15pm)
The lecture and main training exercise of the day gives students a chance to work on articulating their story after a high impact event. The physical work will build on the information from Distance Management 2 & Targeting 1. It takes time to figure out how to use body weight strikes and targeting. This session gives you LOT of reps to help you get these skills into your body! There’s a lot of movement in this class, but you can do the work at your own pace.
Homework for next class: Choose a type of breathwork to practice from the info packet. Try to apply when feeling stressed and report back on results. Watch TV shows/movies/news and note at least three examples of violence/conflict and explain what type(s) it is.
GROUND WORK 1
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2 • 3:30–5:00pm (Make up/review class on Thur Feb. 5 • 3:30–4:15pm)
We will discuss the homework related to breathwork and identifying different types of violence (social/asocial/hybrid). Then we’ll warm up with our boundary setting and escapes before moving on to ground work. Ground Work 1 helps you develop training to go from the ground to standing and to prevent yourself from being pinned down. This is a bit more physically demanding class, but you are always encouraged to train at a pace that works for you.
GROUND WORK 2
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9 • 3:30–5:00pm (Make up/review class on Thur Feb. 12• 3:30–4:15pm)
We will review concepts around articulation, including a discussion on how articulation affects our own personal stories and our view of training. After a warm up to review previously learned escapes, we’ll go into the Ground Work 2 material. We will work on ways to escape if you’ve been pinned to the ground. Like Ground Work 1, this is a more physically demanding class. Always train at a pace that works for you.
Homework: Look up WA state laws regarding self-defense and justifiable homicide, stand your ground, defense of others. Go to a place you frequent and think of who you would pick as a target (when? where? why?)
STANDING GRAPPLING 1
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16 • 3:30–5:00pm (Make up/review class on Thur Feb. 19• 3:30–4:15pm)
The discussion portion will discuss the results of your homework related to WA state laws and the “think like a bad guy” drill. The physical work will focus on close-range grappling from a standing situation. It’s better to stay standing whenever possible. This class teaches fundamental strategy for dealing with an aggressive close quarters attack. We will be doing a lot of standing grappling work in this course. I’m not gonna lie—it’s a work out, but the skills are critical, especially for those who carry pepper spray, knives, guns, etc. for self-defense.
Homework for next class: Using the info packet’s list “PRACTICE READING THE ENVIRONMENT” take notes about a place you go to often. Bonus: note and “off-baseline” behavior in a group or individual there.
STANDING GRAPPLING 2
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23 • 3:30–5:00pm (Make up/review class on Thur Feb. 26 • 3:30–4:15pm)
The discussion portion will talk about the results of your homework on reading environments, groups and individuals. We’ll also go over the Risk Triad for assessing potential danger. The physical work will add on to the material from Standing Grappling 1. This is essential training for anyone who carries pepper spray, knives, guns, etc. for self-defense. Standing work can be challenging, but worth it to remain up and not on the ground.
FIREARMS TRAINING—FREE BONUS SESSION!
MONDAY, MARCH 2 • 3:30–5:00pm
We offer a NON-live-fire introduction to safe handling of firearms for those who are completely new to firearms. Very often, we have students who own a pistol or revolver that they have no idea how to use. We can help you learn how to safely manipulate this tool again in a NON-live-fire setting. This is offered as an individually scheduled session. NOTE: This class does NOT count toward WA state’s current safety training requirement per HB113/i-1639 if you’re applying for your Concealed Pistol License. However, click here for a FREE online class that does: Free Firearms Safety Training
We also highly recommend Firearms Academy of Seattle in Onalaska, WA area for high quality firearms instruction. They have an excellent facility offering a wide range of classes from very basic to advanced, self-defense/security to sport/competition. They also invite some of the best instructions in the country to teach competition shooting, the nuances of firearms law, extreme close quarters combat, and more. Click here to check out the FAS schedule.
ABOUT THE SELF-DEFENSE CLASS INSTRUCTOR
Jenn Lozada is a longtime martial artist and instructor, with experience in a wide range of martial arts from kickboxing to grappling. She is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has been teaching BJJ and self-defense for over 12 years. She helps youth and adults have fun while learning to keep themselves safe. During the classes, Jenn works with each student to help her have the best experience possible!