This article gives you information about self-defense classes offered by organizations in New York.
Hate incidents and hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have increased during the pandemic. Based on Documented research on news consumption habits among Chinese immigrants in New York last summer, public safety was the most consumed news topic. It is also the most pressing issue that the Chinese community believes should be covered by the media. In our survey, many readers wanted to know more about self-defense laws and resources. This article gives you information about self-defense classes offered by organizations in New York.
As a newsroom serving immigrant communities, Documented has written a comprehensive guide for Chinese New Yorkers. This article is part of the guide.
Read also: What counts as self-defense in New York?
Free Self-Defense Classes in New York
Self-defense classes are offered by a number of New York City organizations, including several Chinese organizations.
Academy of Medical and Public Health Services 6-Week Self-Defense Course
AMPHS, in partnership with Pop Gym, offers a 6-week self-defense course to teach participants how to respond safely in the event of a physical or verbal attack on themselves or a bystander. The course is open to adults over the age of 18 and is designed to cover basic striking and blocking, knee and elbow strikes, grab defense and holds.
Classes take place every Saturday from August 5 to September 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Leif Ericson Park, 9th Avenue and 66th Street entrance. For more information, please visit this site.
FIT HIT Free Self-Defense Seminars for Women in NYC
Brought to you by FIT HIT, instructor Viktoria will cover current significant trends and changes in sexual assault data in Manhattan; how, when and where to strike; escaping dangerous positions taken directly from recent sexual assault cases in New York; increase awareness and “street smarts”; and learn the basics of Krav Maga. This course is suitable for beginners. You can register here.
Location: FIT HIT Chelsea, 122 W. 27th St., New York, NY 10001
Anti-Violence Education Center Empowerment Self Defense
Participants in this online course will learn tools applicable to a range of interpersonal situations, from physical skills to verbal, emotional and social skills such as assertiveness, de-escalation, situation awareness and practices self-care to heal from the trauma of violence. Each session is delivered through a trauma-informed lens and focuses on the experiences of those most at risk of violence. You can register for a single session or the entire course, all free. If your workplace or organization would also like to host a self-defense course, send an email (email protected). For more information, please visit this page.
Hawaiian Kenpo Chinese Academy
For nearly 30 years, the Academy has offered free, drop-in self-defense classes to women in New York City. The course focuses not only on self-defense techniques, but also ways to avoid becoming a victim.
Instructor Sifu Jack teaches self-defense punching and kicking techniques that will help you defend yourself against potential attackers. This course is open to women aged 14 and over.
In-person classes are held Tuesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Street Community Center in Manhattan’s East Village, 638 E. 6th St., New York, NY 10009. For more information, send an email (email protected) or visit this page.
Dragon Fighting Club
The club was originally started by a group of volunteers during the pandemic in April 2020 as a way for more people to learn self-defense skills. The free self-defense classes he offers continue to this day. Weekly classes were previously held in Manhattan and Flushing, and are now held at Gantry Plaza State Park (northeast of Rainbow Playground) in Long Island City on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit this page or follow their Instagram account @dragoncombatclub.
Self-defense strategies
Asian American Federation worked with the Anti-Violence Education Center develop a security resource guide which teaches members of the AAPI community how to defend themselves in the face of violence. The following is the summary of the guide.
Physical Self-Defense Strategies
Only use the device in situations where you are experiencing a level of aggression that endangers your physical safety.
Safety position: If you get stuck, pivot in a semi-circle motion to quickly cover the distance and escape safely. Keep at least an arm’s distance from the attacker. Slightly tilt your body at 45°. Start shifting your weight and back up slowly. Keep your hands raised with palms open.
On the ground: Use leg kicks to maintain distance.
Basic Strikes: The goal is to slow down/immobilize the attacker. These stains are intended to cause serious damage and discomfort to the eyes, nose, throat and knees.
- Heel palm strike: Use the palm to strike, keeping the fingers back and the thumbs tucked in. Target: nose and chin.
- Foot trampling: Bend your knees to quickly stomp using the heel of your foot. Target: foot.
- Front kick: Quickly strike with the ball of your foot and pull back with a quick movement. Target: knees or shin.
Verbal de-escalation strategies
- Name the behavior: Address the specific behavior that is inappropriate, offensive or violent. Avoid using harmful labels or sarcasm.
- Reduce it: To avoid “silence” the person causing harm, match their vocal intensity. The goal is to “lower arms” slowly or speak in an increasingly calm tone. They may follow your lead without even realizing it.
- “I” statements: Use “I” statements to express your feelings and wishes without expressing judgment to avoid making the person who is causing you harm defensive.
- Lose to win: Self-defense is anything you do to keep yourself safe. Sometimes you have to compromise to protect your immediate safety or that of another person.
- Say no”: You always have the right to say “No”, “Stop” or “It’s not right”.
- Scrached disk: Repeat the same statement until the person causing the harm corrects their behavior or leaves the situation.
- Assertive Ignorant: Ignoring can sometimes be a proactive decision. By choosing not to engage, you can defuse a situation. But stay aware. If the situation continues to escalate, be prepared to use another strategy.
- Go to “us”: Use “we” to foster a sense of unity. When you create an “we,” the person who hurts you is less likely to direct their anger at you.
- Interruption: Interrupt or distract the person causing the harm or situation.
Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Strategies
The intention of nonviolent communication is to empathize and connect with the other person and with yourself.
- Observe: Make neutral statements about what you see, without judgment.
- Identify a feeling: Express your own emotions instead of what you think someone is doing to you.
- Identify your need or desire: Externalize your needs without referring to specific people, actions or things.
- Request: To get things done, come up with specific, achievable requests.
Being an Advocate: What to Do When You See Someone Being Bullied
- Direct: Respond directly to the person causing the harm or intervene physically if necessary. Be confident, assertive and calm.
- Distract: Take the focus away from the person who caused the harm, the person who suffered the harm, or the situation itself.
- To delegate: Get help from someone else. Ask for help, a resource, or help from a third party.
- Delay: Check with the person who was injured after the incident. Educate yourself and our communities about why this happened.
- Document: If someone is already helping the person in crisis, document it with a photo or video. Note: Never post or share a video without the consent of the injured party.
Find more information on this page.
