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. We invite you to schedule lessons with friends/family at a time that’s convenient for your group. This is the most common way we schedule these self-defense classes.
NOTE: We strongly encourage all participants to take the “Introduction to Women’s Self-Defense” class before taking the other classes. HOWEVER, it is NO LONGER a required prerequisite!!!! At some point, it’s important to take the Intro class, even if it doesn’t end up being the first SD class you take with us.
We also schedule self-defense group lessons for mixed groups (both men and women), families, friends, coworkers, etc.
INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN’S SELF-DEFENSE
THIS SELF-DEFENSE CLASS INTRODUCES YOU to concepts and training methods to help you move through the world with greater awareness and confidence. Students learn when to use the tool of violence to protect themselves—and when NOT to. In addition to discussion, the lessons include some scenario training, but there is NO physical requirement! So please don’t hesitate to attend even if you are pregnant, or have an injury/physical ailment.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This program, Introduction to Women’s Self-Defense, 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. This class is a prerequisite for joining in “hard skills” training (counter-ambush/combat). For teens* age 13+ and adults. Maximum 12 participants per session.
FOR PARTICIPANTS: Please wear clothing that you can move in. We’ll be sitting on the floor so feel free to bring a cushion to sit on so that you’re comfortable. 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.
*Discussions may include very mature and disturbing topics. Parents, please use your own discretion before allowing your teen(s) to participate.
COST: $25–$50 self-determined sliding scale. No one will be turned away due to inability to pay.
LOCATION: 1600 Carlsborg Road, Sequim, WA
PREREGISTER: Jenn Lozada • 360-808-3197 • Venmo: @solartebjj and mention “Women’s SD”
CONTINUING CLASSES AFTER THE INTRO…
Introduction to Women’s Self-Defense is the foundation for all subsequent classes. However, you do NOT have to take the Intro first to participate in the classes below. All continuing classes can stand alone—you do NOT have to take them in a specific order. You are welcome to repeat classes as many times as you want!
COST
After the Intro Class, the cost for ALL subsequent classes is $15–$30 per person, self-determined sliding scale. NOTE: These classes are often scheduled during the 10:30am Saturday Open Mat session at Solarte so there will be another group training on the mats at the same time.
Please wear clothes you feel comfortable moving in. Bring water, snacks, and a notebook and pen!
BOUNDARIES & DISTANCE MANAGEMENT 1
DATE TBD • 1.5 hours
This session builds on the information from the Intro course (see above). We review physical boundary setting at lower levels of conflict such as deflecting unwanted hugs or other “too close” attention. We also discuss setting emotional/mental boundaries. We learn to deal with adrenaline and develop greater self-awareness through breathwork. This is the first class which includes more contact which will lead to the skills offered in the next class in the series…
DISTANCE MANAGEMENT 2 & TARGETING 1
DATE TBD • 1.5 hours
This session 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.
TARGETING 2
DATE TBD • 1.5 hours
This session builds on the information Distance Management 2 & Targeting 1. It takes time to figure out how to use body weight strikes and targeting. This entire 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.
GROUND WORK 1
DATE TBD • 1.5 hours
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 more physically demanding class, but you are always encouraged to train at a pace that works for you.
GROUND WORK 2
DATE TBD • 1.5 hours
Ground Work 2 teaches how to escape if you’ve been pinned to the ground. We include striking targets to help facilitate escapes. Like Ground Work 1, this is a more physically demanding class. Always train at a pace that works for you.
STANDING GRAPPLING 1
DATE TBD • 1.5 hours
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.
STANDING GRAPPLING 2
DATE TBD • 1.5 hours
We 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 is always very tiring, but…it’s still better than ending up on the ground.
FIREARMS TRAINING
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!