Navigating New Chapters with Confidence
Summer is a season of transitions—whether you're preparing for a new school year, starting a job, moving to a new place, or simply embracing the longer days and new experiences that come with the season. Change can feel both exciting and overwhelming.
And with our rights under attack, resistance skills of all kinds are more important than ever (sorry about the cliche!). For those stepping into something brand new or facing familiar situations with fresh eyes, it's about trusting your instincts, honoring your boundaries, and knowing that you deserve to feel safe and confident wherever life takes you next.
Every new experience is an opportunity to practice the skills that keep us safe, grounded, and empowered.
Summer Events You Can Be a Part Of
Get Ready for College Workshop
- August 3
Heading off to college or know someone who is?
Our “Get Ready for College” workshop is designed for young people who want to start this next chapter feeling confident, prepared, and empowered. We focus on real-life skills like setting boundaries, speaking up, and physical strikes for a worst-case situation.
Perfect for rising high school juniors and seniors, college students, and anyone navigating new independence.
When: Sunday, August 3, 1 to 4 PM ET
Where: In person near the Takoma Metro, Washington, D.C. (full address given at registration)
Cost: $89 | Spots are limited!
Who: Rising HS juniors/seniors & college students (women, trans men & nonbinary folks)
Know someone who could benefit? Share this with them!
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Protect Your Heart Workshop
- July 26
Join us for "Protect Your Heart," a workshop for trans, nonbinary, and other queer people to build practical skills to stay grounded and protect yourself (and your heart!) when facing harassment, abuse, or assault. It's about confidence, safety, and knowing you've got your own back.
When: Saturday, July 26, 2 PM to 4 PM
Where: In person near Dupont Circle (full address given at registration)
Cost: Suggested donations $5 to $45
Registration: Required! RSVP by emailing admin@heartwerq.com, because space is limited!
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I attended your Defend Yourself workshop at [my college] last semester and I wanted to thank you for a successful and effective program. I unfortunately had to use some tactics I learned from the workshop as I was assaulted [at the beach] this summer. I found the techniques that we used on an attacker when assaulted from behind to be the most useful. I honestly believe I avoided a rape because of your training.
— Defend Yourself student
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Join us July 27 for our next monthly Book Circle!
We'll be talking about intuition, how to tune into it, and how to take action based on what it tells you.
On the fourth Sunday of every month, we meet for one hour on Zoom to explore skills and ideas from “Get Empowered” in real time. This is your chance to dive deeper into the book’s teachings, share experiences, practice skills, and build a supportive community. (You don't have to have read the book!)
It’s free and it’s drop in; no need to commit. You can RSVP or vote for our next topic now using the button to the right!
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This Month
We’re thrilled to share that our founder, Lauren Taylor, will be leading a workshop at the National Women’s Martial Art Federation conference this year! Lauren will be guiding fellow martial arts and self-defense trainers on how to create trauma-informed classrooms — because safety, inclusion, and empowerment start with how we teach.
Want to follow along? Make sure you’re following Defend Yourself on Instagram!
You don’t have to wait to “Get Empowered”
“Get Empowered” is filled with practical, ready-to-use tools to help you stay safe and hold your space wherever you go in life.
Whether you’re looking for ways to stand up for yourself, you’re a survivor focused on healing, or you’re committed to being an ally, this book will give you the tools you need to thrive.
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Want to feel safer and more confident?
Get Empowered with DefendYourself.org
We’re an empowerment self-defense organization teaching in DC and around the country. Learn to assert yourself, set boundaries, and protect yourself and your peace. Be You. Be Safe. DefendYourself.org
Know an organization, community space, or workplace that could benefit from these skills? Let us know! We love to partner with organizations to host helpful empowerment self-defense and bystander skills workshops for our communities.
- The Defend Yourself team
