PREPARE Self-Defense Class

This is a 6 week class.

Feb 18, 25, March 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2024, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM 

Lunch provided from 12 PM to 1 PM 

Class from 1 PM to 4 PM

Register here for the 6 week series – offered for free to all participants!

This trauma informed, non-victim blaming, empowerment self-defense course will address the unique safety situations and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ folks. The program includes a combination of demonstrations, training exercises, and role-plays with a team of highly trained instructors from Prepare Inc., including members of the community. Sessions will also have discussion time, group brainstorming, grounding exercises, and time for reflection.

The course will cover:

• Verbal strategies to help prevent potential encounters escalating to violence.
• Conversational strategies to manage verbal conflict and boundary violations with people you know.
• Physical self-defense skills and options, practiced with padded instructors in full force simulations.
• Grounding and self-regulation tools to manage fear, stress, adrenaline, and emotional overwhelm.
• How to assess threat, identify one’s own resources and possible external resources.
• Considerations for if, when, and how to resist violence including whether or not to get bystanders involved.
• Support options and self-care practices after an incident / community resources information.
• Understanding the stress response
• Red flags and green flags in relationships, signs of abuse

How it works: The instructors create contexts and scenarios that allow participants to practice both verbal and physical skills. Participants received individualized coaching as they practice. This unique physical training method offers both practice drills and dynamic, realistic scenarios. Participants also practice the transition from verbal strategies to physical technique. When the instructors are portraying physical aggression, their padded gear protects their most vulnerable target areas as participants practice delivering full force, full contact strikes.

Hosted by Brooklyn Community Pride Center in partnership with The Brooklyn G.H.O.S.T Project.

For any questions and more information, you can reach out to Karen Chasen of Prepare, Inc. to karenchasen@prepareinc.com.