Women-Only Program

Women Empowered^®

A self-defense program built specifically for women, trained in a room of women only. The focus is direct: escaping common threats and dangerous situations, practiced repeatedly so the response becomes familiar and accessible under pressure.

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The Women Empowered class gathered together for a group photo on the mat.

Who it's for

Any woman, at any experience level.

Women Empowered is trained entirely among women. No exceptions. The program stands on its own as a focused self-defense curriculum. Gracie Combatives expands that foundation into positional control, submissions, and a broader range of physical confrontations. Many women train in both because the programs build different but complementary skills.

Women Empowered students seated on the mat during class in the academy's main training room.

What you'll learn

Specific answers to specific threats.

Awareness and avoidance

Recognizing risk earlier and understanding how most confrontations against women actually begin.

Escaping grabs and holds

Techniques for getting free from common grabs, bear hugs, and holds from behind, from the front, and against a wall.

Ground escapes

What to do if a confrontation goes to the ground, including defense against a much larger, heavier attacker.

Decisive response

Creating the distance or opportunity to escape a dangerous situation, rather than trying to out-fight an attacker.

Women Empowered students high-fiving in a line at the end of class.

An instructor demonstrating a technique to a Women Empowered class seated in a circle.

Why technique, not intensity

You don't have to be the stronger person to win the exchange.

Every technique in this program assumes your attacker is bigger and stronger than you, because in a real confrontation, they often are. The program is built entirely around leverage, positioning, and timing, not strength or athleticism.

"The instructors, Maddie and Jess, are knowledgeable and it shows how much they enjoy what they do."

Andrea (Google Review)

"Great experience as a beginner with the Women Empowered class. Everyone is very friendly and willing to help."

Brianna (Google Review)

"Talk about empowering! The fact that it's a women's class is also a plus for me. It's intimidating to walk into a Jiu Jitsu class for the first time, but these ladies are all fun and relaxed and made me feel like part of their group on day one!"

Heather (Google Review)

Questions

Women Empowered® FAQ

Is this only for women who feel unsafe or have had a bad experience?

No. Students join for many reasons: general preparedness, curiosity, confidence, or simply wanting a women-only training environment. There's no prerequisite experience or circumstance.

Do I need to also train in Gracie Combatives?

No. Women Empowered stands on its own as a complete program. Some students choose to add Combatives later for a broader technical base, but it isn't required.

Will I train with men at any point?

Women Empowered classes are women only. If you'd like co-ed training as well, Gracie Combatives is trained separately.

What if I'm not physically strong?

The program is built around leverage and technique specifically because it assumes your attacker is stronger. Strength is not a prerequisite.

Get started

Train in a room built for exactly this.

See if it's a fit — come feel what a Women Empowered session is actually like.

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