Self-defense starts before anyone lays a hand on you.
Women Empowered brings together awareness, verbal boundaries, and physical responses to situations women may face. Learn to recognize concerning behavior, speak assertively, and practice techniques based on leverage and timing.
The curriculum addresses both the conversation and the physical encounter. Open each area to see what that means in practice.
01
Awareness & boundaries
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Explore risk assessment, verbal assertiveness, and psychological strategies for setting boundaries, including with someone you know. Your voice is part of your self-defense training.
02
Grabs & holds
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Practice responses to wrist and hair grabs, bear hugs, and chokeholds. Instructors break the movements into steps so you can understand positioning, leverage, and timing.
03
Ground defense & serious threats
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The course includes ground-escape situations and weapon-threat scenarios. Instruction develops a range of responses and the judgment involved in choosing among them.
A DEFINED PATH
BUILD SKILLS. CONNECT THEM. EARN YOUR PROGRESS.
The Pink Belt recognizes proficiency in the Women Empowered curriculum. It is a program-specific achievement, separate from the standard jiu-jitsu belt progression.
01
Learn the 15 lessons
Join at any point. Lessons stand on their own, and your attendance card tracks which material you’ve practiced.
02
Develop your reflexes
After completing every lesson once, you qualify for Reflex Development classes, where you practice connecting techniques.
03
Prepare for evaluation
Complete each of the 15 lessons four times, plus at least eight Reflex Development classes, to become eligible for testing. Promotion also requires meeting Gracie University’s performance standard.
WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN
YOU CAN COME AS YOU ARE.
At Gracie NWA, partners help each other learn. A focused introductory lesson and a loaner gi help you settle in before joining the group.
Enrollment includes the Women Empowered video curriculum through Gracie University Online. Review a movement after class or preview the next numbered lesson before you arrive.
Women Empowered focuses on women’s self-defense scenarios and boundary setting, with its own 20-technique curriculum and Pink Belt path. Combatives is the co-ed foundation program with 36 core techniques. Adults can begin with either; our Women Empowered classes are for ages 12+ and women only.
Do I need to be strong or athletic?+
You can start without an athletic background. Teaching emphasizes technique, leverage, and timing, with a cooperative partner and time to ask questions.
Do I have to wait for lesson one?+
No. The lessons are designed to be taken in any order. We’ll help you join the current cycle and track your progress.
What should I wear to the introductory lesson?+
We provide a gi for your first class. Wear comfortable clothing or leggings and a T-shirt or rashguard underneath.
GRACIE NWA · CENTERTON, AR
MAKE YOUR FIRST MOVE FOR YOU.
Meet the instructor, try a lesson, and get a feel for the women training beside you.
Free introductory lesson · 10 days completely risk free
