Understanding Holistic Self-Defense
I do not teach martial arts!
I’m not even a martial artist. I am an instructor certified by ESD Global to teach Empowerment Self-Defense, a violence prevention methodology developed by martial artists with over 40 years of experience.
We work with physical techniques derived from various martial arts, assertive communication techniques, and strategies for identifying and deescalating risky or potentially violent situations.
In summary, empowerment self-defense differs from martial arts in the following ways:
🤚 Martial arts require years of practice to be “useful.” Empowerment self-defense focuses on simple techniques that you can apply immediately (if you need to).
🤚 Martial arts-based self-defense typically assumes that we are already in urgent physical danger, and that we must respond with physical techniques. Empowerment self-defense considers the process and spectrum of gender-based violence, understanding that we can potentially interrupt a lot of violence and abuse before it becomes an urgent and dangerous situation.
🤚 Some martial arts offer techniques that are more appropriate for male bodies and their specific strengths. Empowerment self-defense focuses on the strengths of female bodies—on what works.
🤚 Martial arts classes don’t often include discussions about gender-based violence or the spectrum of violence that women, children, and other vulnerable populations face.
Empowerment self-defense speaks to the reality of this violence: 90% of cases of gender-based violence are perpetrated by someone known to the victim, and half of those by an intimate partner. Thus, it offers strategies, techniques, and support that applies in those complex real-life scenarios.
Of course, martial arts are amazing, and I love to train them when I get the chance! I 100% recommend it to anyone wanting to connect to their power and feel strong. I started to box a couple years ago because I really do enjoy hitting things.
But let’s not confuse things, neither boxing nor any other martial art is interchangeable with empowerment self-defense.
What has your experience been with martial arts and empowerment self-defense? I would love to read your thoughts in the comments!
Originally Published in Mujeres Fuertes Autodefensa.
