Our approach to self-defense is radical, and it addresses a wide spectrum of self-defense needs and realities by integrating resources outside of the martial arts. Designed for Survival is based on six years of continued research, trial, and most importantly feedback from the thousands of women who’ve taken our workshops.

Too often self-defense instruction, while well intended, inadvertently adds trauma. Worse, much of it doesn’t work. The pervasive culture of dominance and hierarchy in martial arts can perpetuate the same abuses of power and privilege inherent in rape culture and toxic masculinity.

We begin by helping you feel safe, to earn your trust and empower you to get what you need from the class. We’ll help you set boundaries in your personal and professional life. How to say yes, how to say no. How to become a person who can stand up for yourself. How to harness your unique body to generate force and fight back with ferocity and power. Our basic practices can help anyone feel stronger and more powerful.

Get Started

We offer a number of unique, one day programs in our Designed For Survival self-defense curriculum. Choose the program that makes the most sense for you.