Self defence classes

[Shodan]

This is by way of being a bit of an opinion poll really, I'd appreciate all views!

I am thinking of setting up self defence classes for women. They will be designed specifically for women, tested by me and other women of all shapes and sizes, on men of all shapes and sizes. They will be heavily karate based, as that is my specialist area, but won't require the intricacies of kata etc. I plan to include other self-defence moves from other disciplines ( I have contacts in several other martial arts) and also some moves from general self-defence areas.

I know there are many self-defence options out there, but my research indicates (especially in my area and the ones around me) that they are all taught by men, which sometimes assumes a certain physicality that women don't necessarily have. They also don't take into account the clothes that women may wear, on a night out for instance. I intend to offer self-defence moves that can be accomplished within limiting clothing (high heels, tight skirts etc).

What do you think? If a self-defence class was being taught by a woman, would you be more, or less, inclined to sign up? Is there anything I should be including that I haven't already thought of? Is it a bad idea all round?

Atalune and VladmirsPoutine Thank you both so much, your words of encouragement mean a great deal to me.

Yes I’d love this. All the martial arts round here is taught by men. And it’s mixed groups so nothing geared towards the specific vulnerability of women.

I did do a women only- geared for women Krav Maga taster class and that felt very different to all the others I’ve attended. It was led by a man but he’d really done his homework. If I had childcare I’d be attending his weekly mixed class tbh.

Men will target women who are vulnerable in some way- drunk, ill, disabled, short etc.
I feel totally helpless and powerless tbh sad
The key is assertiveness and confidence, to look fuck-off so that you don't get targeted. I have zero of both.

This is the key. It’s so important. The way you walk can be the difference between being left alone and not.

My daughter's did Judo from being 7 years old.
Their instructors were mostly male, they had no issues with this.
My granddaughter's do Taekwondo, also with male instructors with no issues.
I can fully understand that some women may prefer a female instructor though.
It's whatever the trainee feels comfortable with really.
I wish that more parents would sign their daughters up to some form of self defence class from a young age though.
It certainly saved my youngest daughter's bacon when she had to defend herself against a man who tried to sexually attack her when she was 17.
I think he was shocked to find himself flat on his back instead of her.

There are mixed classes in many types of martial art available, and they're all fantastic forms of self-defence and fitness. Many (most) require long-term commitment to be really effective though, especially(imo, having tried some) anything that involves throws. I found those particularly very difficult to get right (full praise to those who can though!).

My plan is to offer courses of set length, from beginners through to more advanced techniques, with the idea that everything even from the first class can be used in self -defence. I hope to teach my students that's it's ok to be assertive in defending their right to feel safe, and actually it's ok to feel that their boundaries are respected.