empowerment
self defense

NEXT CLASSES IN TACOMA

‍ APRIL 17-18, 2026 : Self Defense SERIES

Register Here‍ ‍

We are presenting our full series in two parts. The first night will be basic self defense and the beginning of defense from the ground. The second day will be more ground defense and social justice theory and adding in escapes from the ground.
WHEN:

5:00pm - 8:00pm, FRIDAY night.
1:00pm - 4:00pm SATURDAY afternoon.

WHERE: Tacoma dojo: 445 Tacoma Ave S. Tacoma WA 98402
Class is FREE. It is part of our nonprofit mission.
Donations welcomed to support our work. Donate here.
See below for class details.

Register Here‍ ‍

Providing basic self defense to the community is part of Quantum’s mission.

We have our unique brand of Empowerment Self Defense that inspires and keeps people safe. 

In these clases, participants will:
1. Strengthen their internal personal power, confidence and sense of security
2. Understand the use of situational awareness, stance and voice in self defense
3. Understand and have the confidence to use the basic physical defensive techniques and how to use them in combination
4. Have fun, bond with fellow participants, and enjoy the somatic experience

Questions?
Contact Alison McCaffree, alison@quantumtac.org
text or call 253-720-6813

CLASS DETAils

Self Defense 101: Basics
(SIngle class or first of series)

Learn how to expand your awareness, use your voice, stand in defensive stances, use low level self defense, and execute basic physical techniques in combination.

Class outline:

  1. Introduction to Empowerment Self Defense Toolbox

  2. Situation Awareness and Body Signaling

  3. Use of Voice

  4. Ready Stance and Reaction time

  5. Basic Physical Techniques: palm heel, elbow, knee, stomp

  6. Low Level defense techniques and release from grabs

  7. Putting it all together in a scenario.

  8. Question and Answer.

Self Defense 201:
Defense from Ground

Prerequisite: Self-defense 101.

  1. Review Self Defense 101 and use your voice to help you defense yourself.

  2. Learn social justice agent/target theory

  3. Practice intermediate self defense techniques such as kicking and arm escapes

  4. Learn falling basics

  5. Introduction to ground fighting defenses

  6. Learn how to get up of the ground safely

  7. Put it all together in a defense scenarios

Self defense 301:
Escape from Ground

Prerequisite: Self Defense 101 and 201.

  1. Review Self Defense 101 and 201 scenarios

  2. Learn and practice anti-oppression skills for both privilege and target membership.

  3. Learn additional ground fighting defenses

  4. Learn to escape from the ground

  5. Put it all together with a full self defense scenario.

  6. Question & Answer session.

Self defense can bring up uncomfortable emotions from past experiences and puts you in close contact with others in the class. We encourage everyone to engage at their own desired level.

Two martial artists practicing self-defense techniques at a martial arts dojo, with a white banner featuring Quantum logo in the background.
Two people practicing self defense techniques in a dojo, smiling and holding padded shields. Other students are practicing in the background.
Four women are participating self defense techniques, standing in a line, with the woman in front being hugged from behind by another, in a studio with a white floor, wall mirrors, and a large window.
Two women are practicing self defense elbow strike, with a red padded shield between them. The woman on the left has short dark hair and is smiling, while the woman on the right is wearing glasses.
A woman smiling and observing two people engaging in a friendly self defense technique: escape from an arm being grabbed. One person is wearing a protective mask.
Two people engaging in a wrist lock hold each other's forearms in a martial arts practice, with one person's face partially visible and both wearing black clothing.
A woman with short gray hair smiling demonstrating how to escape from an wrist grab by a man in a blue shirt in martial arts studio.
Two people with bare feet demonstrating a self defense heal stomp on red padded cushion.
Two people practicing a knee strike self defense technique on a padded training dummy in a martial arts dojo.
Martial arts students practicing elbow strike self defense technique on a red target, with one student wearing a blue shirt and the other wearing a black shirt and white face mask, in a martial arts training facility.
Two people practicing martial arts, one wearing a blue shirt and black pants, holding a padded shield, and the other wearing a black shirt, blue jeans, and a face mask, in a training room with a sign that says 'Quantum Martial Arts' in the background
Two people practicing self defense techniques, one wearing a blue T-shirt showing a palm heel strike. The other wearing a face mask and black shirt holding a hand target, with a martial arts dojo in the background.
Two young men practicing palm heel strike self defense technique, one in a blue shirt and the other in a black shirt, wearing a face mask, in a martial arts training room with a Quantium Martial Arts banner in the background.
A woman smiling as another person, wearing a face mask and a black t-shirt with a dragon design, practices a palm heel strike during a self defense class. The background features a banner with the logo of Quantum Martial Arts.