Slut Walk Seattle 2011 Alyssa Royse

I am collecting self-defense success stories.  And sharing them.

I'm finding them via Google Alerts and Facebook and Twitter.  Learning from students in my classes.  Panning for gold in blogs and online communities. 

I'd like to hear about your safety successes.

I've been posting success stories on my Facebook page (you don't have to 'like" me, or even be a Facebook member, to check out my page).  In December I began collecting some links and putting them on my blog.  Take a look at these two posts:

• When Fighting Back Worked (12/23/13)
• Success Stories: Fighting Assault that Worked (12/8/13) 

I think it's important to share success stories, however you define success, because the tales we tell matter.  It's important to tell about success, about life, about awareness and clarity and focus. 

Nothing good comes from violence -- good comes from strength and survival and support.  And knowing that it's possible.

Over the last few years I've been adding success stories in classes, and students have been appreciating that mode of learning.  After all, story-telling is still probably the best way to learn.

Did you thwart a thug?  Did you cause a bully to back down?  Did you come to the aid of someone being harassed?  Or did you successfully set boundaries with people you care about and improve your relationships?

I want to hear from you.  Contact me, if you've got something to share.

Class Schedule
Winter 2014:

Self-defense skills are like CPR, you should review and practice them annually. 

If you've already taken a class and want to keep it fresh, Strategic Living offers a 50% discount on select classes. And, if you refer your friends to a Strategic Living class and they sign up, I will donate $25 to one of three awesome organizations for women and girls. Visit my Paying It Forward page for details.

Do you work with a non-profit or community organization that holds silent  auctions? Ask me to donate a gift certificate for a private 1.5 hour seminar.

Do you work with a non-profit or community organization whose staff/volunteers/members/clients would benefit from a safety skills seminar? Visit http://www.StrategicLiving.org/donated-class.php for information on requesting partly subsidized training sessions. 

Liz J's staff had this feedback from their session:

"I really enjoyed the training.  It reinforced the notion of trusting your instincts and being aware of your environment.  I thought the physical techniques we learned were easy to remember and very practical."
 
"I thought it was a great training.  It has made me more mindful about my presence in the world.  I've been practicing acknowledging people (men) when I'm by myself by making eye contact but not smiling at them.  I used to feel like I had to smile to "be nice".  I've been conscious of my posture as well.  Also just being aware of my surroundings.  I haven't actually thought about using any of the self defense methods other than remembering what they are."
 
"I thought the training was helpful to remind me to continue being aware of my surroundings and feeling confident that I have the right tools to handle myself in any situation that comes my way."
 
"Role playing was very valuable (especially in getting a bigger voice out of my quiet one) and also it was great to practice the defensive moves. I thought we could have done more of that - there was a lot of dialogue which was helpful too but for me practicing something ingrains it in my brain more. The one thing that really stuck with me was walking around the car to create space between me and my possible attacker.  I do feel I recognize when I'm not walking big. I correct my stance more to walk taller and keep my hands by side more when I'm out and about by myself. So I'm ready!"
 
"I loved this training. I think about the moves that we were taught when I start to feel nervous when I'm out at night, etc. And it's helped to reinforce positive things I was already doing - like walking tall, making eye contact, etc. Really great!"