$425.00 USD

Level 1 Instructional Foundations in Women's Self-Defense: Tucson AZ ~Sept 13-15th, 2024

September 13-15, 2024. 

Curriculum developed by Tammy Yard-McCracken, Psy.D., recently noted as “one of the world’s elite personal protection instructors”. Research and data-driven with an emphasis on neurobiological factors specific to women, our approach invites bold courageous living, instead of the fear based victim-blaming too common in the self-defense world. The organization is an open table for community, support & continuing education. Level 1 is open to all instructors & women seeking a masterclass experience who may be interested in teaching in their own communities.

Over 30 hours of training & education across 3 Days in person & 8+hours of asynchronous online material. Online material is immediately accessed upon completion of registration.  The in-person training begins at 9:00 am each day. Days one and two complete at 6:00 pm. Day three completes by 5:30 pm. There is a 45 minute - 1 hour lunch break each day.

Masterclass Women: to participate as a Masterclass only participant v. the instructor development track, please use the Master Classes option in the navigation bar to find the appropriate registration option.  

What you'll get:

  • in-depth threat assessment
  • environmental & interpersonal awareness 
  • managing socio-cultural norms impacting decision-making
  • legal & ethical considerations
  • introduction to trauma management
  • psycho-social impact of training before/after a violent experience
  • integrated teaching using both principle & technical instruction methodologies
  • research based teaching approaches for rapid skill acquisition & retention 
  • Simple, tested, easy to learn & teach (principle-based) skills specific to women; particularly focusing on the common threats initiated by an individual known to her including: 
    • chokes, grabs, drags & carries, boundary violations/intimidations, integrated threat assessment to common early escalation indicators & key skills addressing sexual violence including how to teach these skills in a psychologically safe approach
  • & more, all anchored in the real, everyday lives of women

Who should enroll? 

  • anyone (regardless of gender) already teaching women's self-defense. Course participants with 30+ years of experience continue to give the feedback that this course fills all the gaps left by other approaches.
  • women who have considered teaching self-defense and/or prevention and personal safety for the girls/women in their communities
  • women 18+ seeking a masterclass intensive in self-defense through personal agency and authority (not victim-blaming and fear enhancing).
  • Women 16+ with the attendance of an adult family member also participating in the course (due to the frank conversations around violence & women we ask that minors be accompanied).

 Hosted by Dawn Armstrong of ThinkSafe Seminars with facility graciously provided by Knight Method Kenpo: 

160 S Kolb Rd, Tucson, AZ 85710

Due to the extremely competitive cost of this program, registration is generally nonrefundable. Should you have a medical emergency that prevents your participation, please contact us for options.

What People Are Saying:

As a 20 year law enforcement officer, this is the course my daughters were required to attend as a right of passage out into the world.

K.K.

It's refreshing to see simple but effective physical skills taught in a way that allows for in-the-moment adaptability; also, this isn't tied to a particular martial art or system.

L.A.

Where was this level of empathy, support and compassion in my previous instructor training experiences? Instead of shaming students for asking questions or questioning the material, [500Rising instructors] demonstrate respect even when challenged instead of responding with ego.

H.C.

I have never felt so supported, welcomed and encouraged in a training experience.

K.B.

As a [female] fitness coach, I have been asked by my clients if I would consider teaching self-defense. If I choose to step into that role, I know have the basics I need to begin.

T.B.

Everything you knew about women's self defence is about to be changed forever.

G.B.

I've been teaching over 30 years. This course filled all the gaps in my background including gaps I didn't know I had.

K.C.