Women's Self-Defense Classes in Damascus, MD

Women's Self Defense Jiu-Jitsu is our self-defense class for women and girls ages 13 and up. You'll learn practical, real-world skills in a safe, supportive class with no competition pressure.

What you will learn

• Awareness first. How to stay alert, carry yourself with confidence and avoid looking like an easy target.
• How attacks unfold. A stranger attack usually goes through four phases: picking a target, isolating her, exhausting and demoralizing her, and the assault. Knowing the phases helps you stop an attack early.
• Shutting down people you know. Many attacks come from someone the victim knows, so you also learn to protect your boundaries before things escalate.
• Simple, effective moves. The curriculum starts with gentle techniques like the wrist escape and builds up to being able to choke someone out or break their arm if you must.
• Leverage over strength. These techniques come from Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, so they work against someone bigger and stronger.

What a class looks like

On your first visit, you go straight to our private lesson area for a one-on-one lesson while the class warms up. You'll learn a strong standing base and the standard wrist escape, so if someone grabs your wrist and tries to pull you away, you can break free and get back to other people. Then you join the class with an assistant or experienced student beside you.

A regular class starts with a review and preview, then technique instruction and practice, a class review, and a wrap-up with announcements and promotions. The program has 30 core techniques built on 6 primary principles, in 20 different classes. Every 15 classes, you earn a stripe. After 4 stripes, you can test for your pink belt. After the pink belt, you're automatically awarded 2 stripes in our Fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class if you want to keep going.

We'll often ask if it's okay to work with you or touch you. If you're uncomfortable or injured, just tell us right then.

We post the topic for every class, and every lesson is pre-recorded, so members can watch it in our app or member site before class for a preview or when reviewing for a test. Class days are on our class schedule.

Is it right for us?

This class is for women and girls 13 and up. That includes teens getting ready for college, moms, and anyone who wants to feel more confident when she's out on her own. Mothers and teen daughters can join together. No experience is needed, and you don't have to be in shape.

We offer women's self-defense here in Damascus, MD, at our school on Main Street.

Try your first class free

Your first class is free, and we'll lend you a uniform for it. Wear comfortable athletic clothes and take off any jewelry. There's a water fountain at the school. If you like it, you can start a 10-day trial. We ask for a refundable uniform deposit before a uniform goes home. Memberships start at $159 a month.

In the booking form, pick Free Intro – Women's Self-Defense (13+).

Questions women ask

Do I need to be fit or strong?

No. The techniques rely on leverage and timing, not strength, and you'll go at your own pace.

Is the class only for women?

Yes. Everyone in the class is a woman or girl (13 and up), and it's taught by women instructors.

I'm nervous about this kind of training. Is that normal?

Very. Many women feel that way at first. Let your instructor know about any concerns before class. You're always welcome to go slowly or sit out a drill.