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Autonomy

Strength

Safety

Empowerment

Confidence

Self Defense Training that Considers Your Nervous System

This is a practical self defense class for those of us who find ourselves hesitant about engaging with the idea of self defense. We’re tackling the worries like “I always freeze” and “I don’t want to hurt anyone” while equipping you with real life self defense skills.

This 2 hour intensive blends purposeful nervous system exercises and a curriculum that teaches self defense in a way that is easy to remember in even the most intense moments. You will walk out of this class more confident in yourself and in your ability to keep your community safe.

What People Are Saying

FAQs

If you can’t find your answer here, please email us for support!

  • This is a truly beginner focused class. We welcome people with all different kinds of abilities. The unique blend of somatics and self defense means everyone builds on their abilities. Please come as you are.

    We are well versed in accommodations and modifications, and encourage you to reach out ahead of class via email (bella@rainbowwillows.org) to discuss your access needs!

  • We believe equity is important and offer a limited number of sliding scale spots for our programming to ensure everyone gets access to these tools. Please use the codes below:

    For a $25 class rate use code defense25

    For a $20 class rate use code defense20

  • This class is best suited for individuals who are able to comfortably sit, stand and walk on a firmly padded mat. The majority of the class is spent standing, and chairs can be provided offside the mat. A brief group-wide break is taken midway through the event.

    The volume ranges from speaking voices to loud sounds (including raised voices and the sound of hitting pads). Warnings are given ahead of these transitions. We welcome you to wear noise cancelling headphones for support as desired.

    We use spoken direction, visual aids (signs) and physical demonstration (watching & copy with me) to teach. Our class is broken up into 4 segments to make the transitions easy to understand.

    Each venue has its own accessibility notes.

    We are well versed in accommodations and modifications, and encourage you to reach out ahead of class via email (bella@rainbowwillows.org) to discuss your access needs!

  • We’re glad you asked! Bella and Imi are married partners who co-teach this class together. Imi holds a second-degree blackbelt in MMA and is a well respected teacher at Degerberg Academy and Cheetah Gym. Bella is an SEP with extensive nervous system and trauma training, who sees clients globally at their private practice.

  • Though we believe this knowledge is important for all, our classes are only able to welcome people ages 15+ at this time. All participants under 18 must have a caregiver in attendance for the duration of the session.

  • Depending on where your session is hosted, we often teach without shoes.

    Degerberg is a shoeless environment on firm padded mats. If you are attending here, please come prepared to remove your socks and shoes to join us on the mats. If you require accommodations around this, please note this in your registration form and we will reach out to build a plan.

  • No, please do not bring weapons of any kind.

  • We love hosting private events and fundraisers! Please reach out to us at bella@rainbowwillows.org with details about your event, and we will reach out with more details

  • Each person must individually sign and complete a registration form. Please complete the sign up process one by one. If you are looking for large group booking (6+ people), feel free to email us to set up a private event.

When’s The Next Class?