Self Defence Classes

January 3, 2025

Hey folks! I’m starting another 4 week Self Defence program at McMaster U, and I wanted to take a sec to tell y’all about it. Let’s talk about what I teach, why I teach it, what qualifies me to teach it, and why this is my passion project!

All ages and gender identities are welcome and you don't need to be a student at McMaster to join!

The next session starts January 15th. Classes are every Wednesday night, 6:30 to 8pm, for four weeks.

Click here to sign up!

WHAT DOES SELF DEFENCE CLASS INVOLVE?

NON-PHYSICAL STUFF

• Conflict avoidance and deescalation tactics.
• How to know when something doesn’t feel right, and be empowered to act on those feelings.
• Self defence psychology; daily habits, awareness and other strategies to keep you safe.
• Discussion and awareness of how to handle a situation when it's someone you know, or have trusted
• Options for how to handle a situation that has been escalating over a longer period of time.

PHYSICAL STUFF

• How to avoid getting grabbed in the first place, and how to use your number one weapon (hint, it's not your fists!).
• How to physically defend/escape a number of common scenarios, including (but not limited to) bear hugs, wrist and lapel grabs, chokes and hair grabs.
• How to hit someone if the situation demands it; how to use your weight, and even the playing field against a bigger person with basic biomechanics.
• Areas to aim for that will work even on a larger person (hint, it’s not always the groin!) and how to strike efficient blows.

WHAT YOU GAIN

The class focuses on basic principles that are easy to remember, and that will be reinforced repeatedly over the course. You will come out with a versatile set of skills that you learned in a safe, supportive environment, that don’t require you to remember a complex variety of techniques in a tight spot. Everyone is encouraged to participate to their comfort levels, and does not need to take part in drills where they feel discomfort. You will still learn a lot, even if you watch!

THE BIT ABOUT ME

I am a third degree black belt with 28 years of training experience primarily in Karate. I have also trained extensively in Gracie Ju Jitsu and Okinawan Weaponry. I was inspired to start my self defence program in 2012, when I was devastated to learn that the sister of a dear friend was murdered by her intimate partner. Since then, it has been my passion to give back what has been given to me by my teachers, to help keep people safe. I work with Women’s shelters, Children’s Camps and Support Groups, and now I teach the course at McMaster University.

AND LAST...

Finally, I am a woman who has experienced conflict first-hand. I have been in scary situations where I lacked the skills, the muscle and the confidence to do anything about it. I know what it feels like to be afraid and overwhelmed, to be reluctant to speak up for myself, and to be full of self-doubt. Through years of training and excellent instructors I have learned to overcome this. My passion, my Raison d'être is to help others to do the same. The signup link is at the top of this page, and all walks of life, gender identities and ages are welcome. There is no requirement to be a student at McMaster! If you want to learn, and McMaster is too far, reach out to me anyways and let’s see what we can do :) email support@thebluebrick.ca.