Women's Self-Defense

The Chain of Lakes Karate Club has been offering and teaching self-defense classes for women since 2001.  These classes are normally scheduled on a quarterly basis, and are done on the weekends (usually Saturday afternoons).  Even though the class is advertised to the public once per quarter, arrangements can be made for private classes or exclusive group classes.  Classes can also be held at facilities other than the regular training hall as well.  For more information on this, please contact Ben Madsen.

The Women's Self-Defense class is usually taught by no less than three people, depending on the anticipated size of the class.  Generally, classes will feature Sensei Loren Engelby (7th degree black belt), Sensei Ben Madsen (4th degree black belt), and Matt Owens (Law Enforcement Use of Force instructor, Firearms instructor).  In addition to this, other members of the Chain of Lakes Karate Club are usually on hand to assist in the training.

The women's self-defense class taught by the Chain of Lakes Karate Club is designed to be informative and effective for women of all ages.  The class consists of two segments, a speaking portion, and a hands-on training portion.  Classes are available in two formats: one day (approximately 3 hours), and two day classes (approximately 6-7 hours combined).

The spoken portion of the class covers all types of concerns and situations that women might at some point be faced with.  Among the topics covered are things like self-awareness, being in the wrong place at the wrong time, what to do if you find yourself in a situation, date rape, and some of the legal issues that can arise as a consequence of defending yourself.  This is also the section of the class where the teachers will answer any other questions or concerns you may have.

The physical portion of the class consists of actual "hands-on" training.  During this portion of the class, students will be given information on vital and vulnerable targets on the human body, and where and how to attack them if they find themselves threatened.  There is also usually a fair amount of time spent practicing these techniques on training pads and partners.  The majority of this class segment is spent actually practicing evasive and counter techniques against partners (either fellow class attendees or students of the Chain of Lakes Karate Club) doing various types of attacks in differing scenarios.

Both class formats include the spoken and physical portion of the class.  The main difference is the time.  The single day class usually runs about 3 hours, and seems to work well for people that have challenging schedules or cannot commit to two days.  The two-day class takes place over two consecutive weekends.  The first class will cover the majority of the speaking topics, and introduce the techniques of the physical portion.  The second class takes place one week later.  There is a lot of information covered in both classes, and spacing the classes in this way allows attendees some time to think about what they have learned, and return with questions during the next class.  This also allows women to practice the techniques from the first class, and review them during the second one, as well as cover new material.

Costs:

Single day class:  Single attendee $10        Couple / mother-daughter $15

MC Fitness members  $5     CER Activity pass holders  $5

Two-day class:  Single attendee $15          Couple / mother-daughter $25

MC Fitness members  $10     CER Activity pass holders  $10  

Discounted Group Rates:  These vary depending on the amount of attendees. Please contact Ben Madsen for more information.

Scheduled classes:  TBA

Classes are normally held in the gymnasium area in MC Fitness.  Registration for classes can be done ahead of time at the CER office in Fairmont, or at the counter at MC Fitness.  Registrations can also be done same day, and walk-ins are welcome.

For questions regarding the classes or to pre-register for one, contact Ben Madsen.