Women's Self-Defense & Empowerment Series
Four Saturdays. Real Self-Defense Skills.
A women's self-defense & empowerment series taught by Denise Coursey (4th Dan), built on traditional Okinawan karate — the same techniques we teach every day, distilled into what matters most when it matters most.
Next series starts Sept. 12
Women's Self-Defense & Empowerment Series
Who This Is For
This series is for any woman who has ever walked to her car a little faster than she needed to, or wondered what she'd actually do if a bad moment arrived.
You don't need to be athletic. You don't need to know anything about martial arts. You just need four Saturday mornings.
Girls ages 13+ are welcome when registered and attending alongside a parent or guardian, who must also register for the series.
What You'll Learn
Each session builds on the last, with time built in every week to practice what you learned before:
- Week 1 — Voice & Strikes. Reading situations early and using your voice as a boundary, then palm-heel, elbow, and knee strikes on pads. You'll leave having thrown all three core strikes.
- Week 2 — Review + Releases. A quick refresher on Week 1's strikes, then what to do when someone grabs your wrist, your hair, or your clothing — technique that works regardless of size or strength.
- Week 3 — Review + Rear Grabs & Ground Basics. A refresher on releases, then the question we get asked more than any other: what to do if someone grabs you from behind. Plus how to get back to your feet safely if you end up on the ground.
- Week 4 — Review + Putting It Together. A refresher on rear-grab escapes, then scenario-based practice that brings voice, strikes, releases, and everything else together in a supportive, controlled environment.
Every session is hands-on. You'll be practicing with a partner, not sitting through a lecture.
Come Practice What You Learned
Every week of the series, you're welcome to join us for a Sunday Women's Karate Open Practice (11 AM to 12 PM) — a chance to get more reps on that week's technique alongside women who train here regularly. No pressure, no expectations, just extra practice and a good way to start meeting the community.
What Happens After
Many women finish this series and want to keep going. If that's you, graduates have a path into our ongoing Women's Karate program — ask Denise about it at your last session
Your Instructor
Denise is co-owner of Virginia Dojo and a 4th-degree black belt with years of experience teaching women and girls specifically. She built this series around the questions women most often ask her. Denise may be joined by other dojo students assisting as partners for drills.