Women's Self-Defense UK
Empowering Women with Practical, Real-World Self-Defense Skills
London, United Kingdom
Women's Workshops
Join us for an empowering experience, where you will get the chance to learn alongside other women, being taught by the best instructors!
Our March workshops will be held at the Ray Stevens Academy in West London and will be led by Coach Joanna. If you sign up to Saturday workshops, you can additionally complete our Level 1 Certification in Self-Defence; and if you're attending both Saturday and Sunday workshops, you can complete Level 1+2 Certification in Self-Defence.
WOMEN'S SELF-DEFENCE WORKSHOPS (16+)
7-8 March 2026 (Sat - Sunday)
Ray Stevens Academy 253 Burlington Road New Malden KT3 4NE
These transformative workshops are tailored for women aged 16+ who want to feel more in control, more aware, and more prepared. Whether you’ve never tried self-defence before or you're looking to refresh your skills, this experience is designed to empower you with both knowledge and practical tools to handle real-life situations with confidence. We focus on de-escalation, assertiveness, and realistic response training, blending physical practice with vital scenario-based learning.
DAY 1: STAND - UP DEFENCE
7th March 2026, 3:30-6:30 pm
This session focuses on building confidence through strong posture, smart movement, and powerful, simple techniques that anyone can use. You’ll explore how to control your space, stay balanced, and respond to threats with effective blocks, strikes, and escape techniques. Through scenario-based training and hands-on coaching, you'll develop practical skills you can rely on in real-world situations. We combine drills, discussions, and guided partner practice to give you a full-body introduction to self-defence from a standing position.
Full Agenda
• Reflex and awareness drills
• Footwork, posture, and distance control
• Verbal de-escalation techniques
• Basic blocks and combining blocks with strikes
• Striking techniques: knees, elbows, palm strikes
• Escapes from wrist grabs, choke holds, and bear hugs
• Realistic threat scenarios with coach-led guidance
DAY 2: GROUND DEFENCE
8th March 2026, 2pm -5pm
This session focuses on what to do if you’re being approached form a seated, or lying position. We show what to do when you're being pushed to the ground, how to fall safely, regain control, and use your legs and core as powerful tools for defence. You’ll work through practical ground-based scenarios with our expert coaches in a safe and supportive environment.
Full Agenda
• Break fall techniques to minimise injury
• How to establish a strong combat base
• Defensive frames using legs and shins
• Using your lower body for space, distance and striking
• Grounded threat scenarios and recovery strategies
Whether you're booking 1 day, or 2 days of training...
✨ We will receive:
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A signed copy of 'She Fights Back’ book
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Access to our video library with recorded demonstrations of techniques covered in the workshop
Come as you are—no experience needed, just a willingness to learn. Leave with a stronger voice, clearer instincts, and practical tools to help you move through the world with more confidence.
Pricing
Day 1: £129
Day 2: £129
Both days: £179
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Please note that all workshops and courses are non-refundable if cancelled by the buyer.
You can inquire about using your credit for our next Workshops.
SELF-DEFENCE CERTIFICATION LEVEL 1
Hybrid Level 1 Certification in Self-Defence comprises of online reading, written assignments and one personal safety webinar. This is an empowering, entry-level certification designed to build real-world safety skills, confidence, and awareness.
Requirement: Booking/Completion of one of our Self-Defence workshops. We require at least Day 1 of our Weekend workshops ( min. 3-hours of physical practice).
🛡️ What’s Included:
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One live online personal safety session
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Reading and written assignments
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A signed copy of ‘She Fights Back’
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Women's Travel Safety PDF
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Access to our video library with recorded demonstrations of techniques covered in the workshop
💡 What you’ll gain:
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A strong foundation in self-defence and personal safety
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Improved situational awareness and assertiveness
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A Level 1 Certificate of Completion (digital or printed) upon fulfilling all course elements
This course is open to individuals aged 16+ and requires no prior experience.
Pricing: £40
SELF-DEFENCE CERTIFICATION LEVEL 1 + 2
The Combined Level 1 and Level 2 Certification is a valuable opportunity to dive deeper into self-defence theory and the analysis of violence. We’ll explore early warning signs and examine the most common patterns of criminal behaviour. You’ll leave with sharper understanding of how to predict danger and safeguard yourself in real-world situations.
Requirement: Booking/Completion of two days of our Self-Defence workshops (6 hours physical practice).
🛡️ What’s Included:
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Two live online personal safety sessions
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Reading and written assignments level 1 and level 2 including case studies
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A signed copy of ‘She Fights Back’
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Women's Travel Safety PDF
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Access to our video library with recorded demonstrations of techniques covered in the workshop
💡 What You’ll Gain:
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Insight into behavioural patterns and threat indicators through real-world crime case studies
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A deeper understanding of predatory behaviour and how to identify red flags early
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Practical tools to manage fear, assess risk, and set clear boundaries
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A Level 2 Certificate of Completion (digital or printed) awarded upon successful completion of all course elements
This course is open to individuals aged 16+ and requires no prior experience.
Pricing: £80
How it all started
Joanna started practising martial arts at an early age, actively competing in various martial arts disciplines including Kick-boxing, Judo, Submission wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
One day, when working in security, she was taken off guard and suffered from an attack that left her wondering how she didn't see the threat coming. She realised that despite her experience as an athlete, she was not taking certain precautions into account.
This is when she questioned the role of martial art training in preventing threats, and went on a quest to discover what lies at the core of women's self-defense.
While still working in security, she started to organise seminars for women, and quickly understood that what drove decisions and reactions in certain scenarios were directly linked to:
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awareness and ability to spot danger
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the level of certainty and confidence
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keeping a level head and not freezing.
Just like in her martial arts career, she noticed certain correlations that helped her shape her program:
1. Awareness: just like in a competition setting, being aware of who your opponent is, can play a major role in establishing the level of threat. We need to know who we're dealing with, to be able to employ the correct strategy. In every day life, this would mean screening your environment, spotting any red flags, and early prevention - not allowing the opponent to strike first.
2. Level of certainty and confidence: this is one of the cornerstones of performance. Every athlete needs to be confident in their skillset in order to achieve their goals. Mental resiliency and the belief in the possessed abilities can act as a driving force towards success. In a self-defence scenario this doesn't only pertain to confidence in the physical skills, but also the confidence in protecting our boundaries and asserting ourselves using our voice and body language.
3. Keeping a level head and not freezing: When faced with an unexpected, or unpredictable threat, we need the ability to stay present. In martial arts spending hours of training can condition us to face predictable threats, yet when the unexpected happens, we may fall into the state of freeze. The more we practice employing strategies for self-control, the more chances we have to be able to act.
