Quarter(s): 2

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 3

"Empowered!" is how recent students of coach Iman Castenada described their self defense seminars. Teens and adults feel confident, capable, and in-control when they have the physical and mental tools to evade and escape uncomfortable or even dangerous situations. Self defense and personal safety are essential life skills for any teen or adult who is out in the community and interacting with others. This class emphasizes situational awareness and making safe choices. Students will work in pairs and small groups to act out mock scenarios, rehearse strategies, and practice defensive moves and strikes. Topics will cover a range of situations from assessing the safety of a new place; conscientiously carrying out daily activities (like carrying a purse or backback, walking/jogging alone, parking a car, taking public transportation, and traveling), de-escalating a bully,  disarming an agressor, escaping an attacker, and if necessary, fighting back to save your life. This workshop is taught by Iman Casteneda, Compass's homeschool PE and Jiu Jitsu Fit instructor. She earned a black belt in Jiu Jitsu under Royce Gracie, a particularly grueling program that took her more than 10 years to prepare for. She is also personal trainer, Cross-Fit instructor, Muy Thai practitioner, former MMA (mixed martial arts) competitor, former EMT, and survivor of assault. The color name in the class title refers to the collectable token students will earn each quarter they take the class. Collect all 8! Students may enroll in Self Defense and Personal Safety at any time, regardless of the color name No one color is a prerequisite for any other color, and tokens can be earned in any order. All equipment is furnished. Students are asked to wear loose, comfortable clothing, such as running pants or sweatpants, and comfortable, supportive athletic shoes. Self-Defense and Personal Safety continues each quarter, and students may repeat the class to learn additional skills and build the reflexes, recall, and reactions to use when needed. No two sessions are the same! Note: This is a co-ed class. Students must be minimum age 13. Compass adults are welcome to register. Rating/Advisory: For sensitive students, please note that in the discussion of personal safety, violence such as assault, burglary, abduction, or murder might be mentioned as examples in class. References might be made to illicit substances and weapons used in the commission of crimes. Class references will be filtered to be age-appropriate for high school students in the instructor's judgement. Rape will be referred to only as assault with no intimate details discussed.