Self-defence course for women - 4 to 15 hours around Montreal

Self Defence West Island

Hands-on attack simulations Scenario based training

Womens Self Defense in Montreal We have been empowering women since 1982. Our ‘Scenario based training’ and ‘Hands-on’ attack simulation courses empower women and teens with personal safety skills that effectively and realistically WORK FOR THEM.

Given in French or English, our 4 – 15 hour course, given over several weeks helps every student develop their ‘Do whatever it takes’ attitude in order to confidently stop the aggression or fight back using full force, disabling responses against a fully padded assailant.

We teach student’s of all ages and skill level to defend themselves through realistic attack simulations. Participant self-confidence and awareness is constantly challenged throughout the duration of the full ‘hands-on’ course. Women and teens quickly realize that they have realistic, empowering, options available to them in order to say ‘NO!’ to unwanted touching and if the need arises to effectively defend them selves.

Student’s get to:

Use clear, assertive, verbal boundary setting when confronted.
Develop the necessary ‘Never say die’ mind set in order to get out of attack situations.
Realistically deal with the fear, confusion and panic that occur during a violent verbal and/or physical confrontation.

Educational mini – full course modules (4 – 15 hours)

Module 1:
Crime prevention strategies – Weakly themes discussed

Facts and statistics concerning sexual assault and violent confrontations.
Prevention modules: Home alone; Walking, being followed; Bus, Metro, Taxi and car safety; Date rape prevention and precautions; Fraud prevention; Purse safety; Social media; Elevator safety, etc.

Module 2:
Personal defence – Physical and mental tools available

Assertive boundary setting: Body language, what to say and how to say it.
Stages of an attack situation – Realistic and disruptive defensive strategies.
The four confrontational rules.
Distance control and recognising danger signals when confronted.
Realistic resistance strategies – Survival attitude and warrior mind set.
Where to strike and how to strike the assailant (standing & on the ground).
Hidden maims – What to do if nothing works against the attacker?

Module 3:

Weekly ‘Hands-on’ attack simulations against a fully padded assailant

Stranger / Danger panic attacks: In-class and outside.
Dealing with someone we know: Verbal/degrading harassment, over-zealous date.
Confined spaces: Washroom stalls, against wall, corners, etc.
Ground defence: Thrown to the floor, on a bed or couch.
Blindfold simulations (standing / ground): Developing one’s survival instinct.
Surprise attacks: Standing / ground.
Knife yielding assailant: Standing / ground.
Multiple attackers (2 vs. 1).
Other possible enactments: Getting into your car; Sitting down; etc.

Module 4:
Attack simulation feedback

Participants mind set and survival attitude.
What worked or did not work during the attacks?
Effective striking, target selection and variation.
Screaming, visualisation (how they saw themselves), etc.

Module 5:
Homework and Street Smart strategies

Proven Street-Smart strategies and crime prevention tips to be prepared and discussed by the participants for the following class.
Case study: Kidnapping scenario presented and discussed.

Highly rated, documented & seen on TV

Highly rated courses & workshops

Our women and teens ‘hands-on’ no holds barred, self-defense programs were rated by the CAFSU as one of Montreal’s best and most realistic personal safety courses for women.
Several schools in the Montreal region offer our workshops and self-defense programs: Marie Clarac, Villa Maria, Collège Letendre, etc.

‘National Film Board’ Documentary

Our teen self-defense program is featured in the National Film Board documentary entitled ‘The Ring Within,’ and ‘The Volcano.’

Seen on TV & in corporate events

We have been seen on: TVA’s ‘Salut, Bonjour,’ CBC’s ‘Montreal living, Radio Canada ‘Tête @ Kat,’ and on CFCF 12, with Mitsumi Takahashi.
Défense Légitime: The television channel ‘Avis De Recherche’ (ADR, specializing in crime prevention and public security – channel 46) filmed five (5) television series on our self-defense program, entitled: ‘Défense Légitime’. You can see these dynamic, informative series on our web site in the ‘Media’ section under ‘Videos.’
The FM Radio Station Q92 organized yearly the ‘Just for you’ women’s getaway. Over 250 women attended weekend workshops and seminars. Mr. Manoli’s empowering self-defense workshop culminated these huge events.

Frequently asked questions about our courses

Who organizes these courses?

YOU ORGANIZE the self-defence workshops.
WE TRAVEL TO YOU, THE CLIENT, in order to share our expertise.
Sessions are given at your work place, home, school or community centre.
Private and small group sessions can be set up in our studio if the need arises.

How can I join an organized group for a workshop?

YOU CAN JOIN an organized group. If a community centre, school or corporation is organising a workshop and they open it to the public, then joining them is no problem. We will gladly refer you to the appropriate location and contact person to join that group.
Look at the ‘Events coming up’ on this site to see what is being organised or contact us at your earliest convenience:

Telephone: (438) 392-4683
Email: gmanoli@videotron.ca

Can I organize my own Workshop?

You can organize your own workshop (1.5 – 3 hours).
For a group workshop, you need to gather a minimum of 14 participants and a maximum of 30 people.
Once the organizing party contacts us, we will discuss:

Your goals and objectives for the event.
The date(s) you want to hold the event.
Number of participants you think might be attending.
The participant’s age.
Cost for the event, collection and invoicing.
Room size required depending on the number of participants.
Student preparation and dress code for the event.

You can also contact your local Community centre, ‘home and school’ association or work organiser, requesting them to set up the activity with a particular theme. Here are some ideas others have done:

A ‘hands-on’ Self-defence workshop.
A ‘Mom & Teen’ self-defence workshop.
An employee ‘lunch & learn’ personal safety awareness event.
A ‘Lady Beware’ seminar if employees are on various shifts.
An ‘Employee personal safety’ seminar.

For corporate events, we have given workshops to over 300 employees attending.
We customize all our workshops to suit the client’s budget, needs and goals. We bring all the necessary equipment for the session.
We can adjust our workshop presentations in order to accommodate men and women with special needs: blind, deaf, mentally/physically challenged. Assistance from the organization may be required during the activity.

Workshops for small groups or private 1-on-1 sessions

Private, 1-on-1 training sessions for one person or a small group of participants (maximum 6) can be arranged for your convenience. Mr. Manoli also specializes in Karate, Judo/grappling as well as children’s bully-proofing and Street-Smart training.
Mr. Manoli gives private and small group sessions to men, women, teens and children.
We teach both stand-up and ground self-defence with hands-on attack simulations.
We customize all our sessions to suit the client’s needs and goals.
Mr. Manoli brings all the necessary equipment for each session.

Different ways our ‘hands-on’ personal safety training has helped others?

Clients use our ‘hands-on’ personal safety services to educate and better prepare themselves, their loved ones or their employees. Requests for ‘hands-on’ simulation oriented training range from :

Traveling abroad for world traveler’s and sales rep’s

Backpacking throughout Europe, Latin America and the eastern block countries.
Visiting countries where women’s rights have little or no value.
Sales representatives representing Pharmaceutical sales teams carrying medical samples.
Real-estate agents and female models seeking personal safety training due to the nature of their work.

Leaving the family nest – training high school kids and young adults

Moving out on their own for the first time: CEGEP/University; new roommates/friends.
High school kids using public transportation for the 1st time.

Daughters starting to date and going out to clubs

Handling overzealous dates: No! Means No!
‘Date rape’ drug awareness: what is out there, what to look out for and what to do?
Body language and dress code: How we dress, what we say, partner sexual expectations, etc.
Social networking: ‘Selfies,’ Facebook postings, Snapchat, etc.

Assertiveness training, personal empowerment, handling intimidation

Training over several, continuous visits: Some clients request a longer, more in-depth program.
Mental and physical toughness to handle family, personal and professional conflicts.

Government agencies offering services to victims of crime

We are authorized instructors for the CNESST (fournisseur de services de santé et sécurité du travail – Commission des Normes, de l’Équité de la Santé et de la Sécurité du Travail). We work with different clients who were victims of a criminal act or have suffered physical and mental professional trauma requesting CNESST assistance.
Examples of CNESST cases: Victims of conjugal violence, rape and assault survivors, victims of intimidation and harassment, etc.
IVAC (Indemnisation des Victimes d’Actes Criminels). We have dealt with IVAC clients in the past, but presently, IVAC prefers to financially support group self-defence sessions rather than one-on-one private ‘hands-on’ training.
Insurance companies refer clients to us. We occasionally deal with women who have been victimized and are having trouble returning to their regular jobs – victims of assault, conjugal violence, sexual assault, intimidation, etc.

Other useful information about the workshops

For a group session(s), we have a 1 teacher/simulator for every 9-student participants.
For private or small group sessions, we have a 1-6 student limit.
All students must be 13 years old+ to take our teen and women’s self-defence course or workshop.
Mr. Manoli brings all the necessary equipment for each session.
No past martial arts experience is needed.
You do not have to be in great shape to do this. Just have the desire to learn.
You don’t need a large room or space to set up a workshop. We have conducted classes in people’s basements, living room, school hallways, corporate conference rooms and even outside.
Pregnant women CANNOT take the ‘hands-on’ workshops or courses due to the attack simulations.
Participants should wear loose comfortable clothing: Example: joggers, T-shirt and comfortable shoes.
If you are looking for a more in-depth self-defence course over a 6-8 week period, we also offer a 1.5-3 hour simulation oriented format.