• Adult Martial Arts Classes

• Health Benefits of Martial Arts Training

• Adult Class Schedule




• Case Study: Self Defense for Women

• Case Study: Getting in Shape

Women's Self-Defense Classes

Growing up in Dallas with five brothers, Rebecca was used to aggressive behavior. As a kid, she and her brothers would rough-house and wrestle around the house for fun. To this day, she still loves action movies.

But one hot afternoon several years ago, a confrontation with her neighbor turned suddenly violent.

"My dogs accidentally pulled loose from their leash and ran into this guy's yard across the street," she explains. "It really wasn't a big deal at all ... I caught them pretty quickly and tried to explain that it was an accident. But this man chased me across the street. He was shouting, threatening me physically. It really scared me. I was actually shaking afterwards, and scared to go outside to walk the dogs again. I didn't feel safe."

One of Rebecca's brothers, a black belt in karate, suggested that she start taking classes to learn some basic self-defense techniques. Rebecca enrolled at PowerKenpo after a friend recommended the studio to her.

"I had another run-in with this same neigbor a few months ago. This time I was able to act calmly and just remove myself from the situation like they teach you in class. Once you aware of your environment and have the tools to defend yourself, you can relax — and this is the biggest part of defusing any dangerous encounter."

— Rebecca, a PowerKenpo Self-Defense Student

Rebecca has learned several valuable self-defense tactics in private lessons with Sifu Jim Dryburgh. "I now carry a pen in my hand whenever I'm walking to my car after work, and am constantly alert for any danger signals. That's probably the best aspect to what I've learned so far — I'm just much more aware of my environment."

Rebecca is now a purple belt in American Kenpo Karate, and hopes to test for her blue belt in the spring.