To celebrate International Women’s Day, Brazil 021 Arlington Heights hosted a free women’s self-defense seminar on Sunday, March 15, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. It was open to women of all ages and fitness levels, with no martial arts or self-defense experience required. Find class times and coaches on our BJJ Arlington Heights page.
The goal was simple: give women from Arlington Heights and nearby suburbs a chance to learn practical self-defense in a safe, welcoming room with experienced instructors.
Why Self-Defense Training Matters
Self-defense training helps women feel more confident and prepared in everyday situations. Many people think martial arts are only for athletes or fighters. In reality, anyone can benefit. The seminar focused on helping participants:
- Recognize and avoid dangerous situations
- Create space from an attacker
- Escape common grabs and holds
- Build awareness and confidence
Every technique was based on Brazilian jiu-jitsu concepts that rely on leverage and control instead of strength, so women of different sizes and fitness levels can make them work.
What the Women’s Self-Defense Seminar Covered
The seminar was structured around simple, practical skills, each one explained step by step for beginners:
- Basic self-defense principles
- Simple escape techniques
- Controlled drills with instructors
- Situational awareness
For a closer look at why grappling holds up for personal safety, read why no-gi jiu-jitsu improves real-world self-defense.
Who the Seminar Was For
The seminar welcomed women interested in self-defense, beginners curious about martial arts, mothers and daughters, and anyone looking to build confidence and awareness. Attendees were encouraged to bring friends, family members or coworkers, meet our instructors and see how training works in a real jiu-jitsu academy.
Next Step: Women’s BJJ and Self-Defense
Our Women’s BJJ and Self-Defense program is a planned 6-week course coached by 7x World Champion and 3x ADCC Champion Hannette Staack. It is not running yet, so you can join the women’s self-defense interest list and hear first when it opens.
Prefer to start now? Our Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals class is built for beginners and meets Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. Book a free trial class at Brazil 021 Arlington Heights on West Salt Creek Lane.
