CLAIM YOUR POWER
LEARN SELF-DEFENSE

You can take the necessary steps to feel safe and at ease in this world.

Underground Self-Defense - Empowered and Confident Student

TRANSFORM YOURSELF WITH UNDERGROUND SELF-DEFENSE

We believe that no one needs to fear walking down the street alone. Whether by the light of day or the dark of night. Whether you’re in your neighborhood, at your workplace or on campus. Whether you’re traveling or making your home in a new town. Whether you identify as someone more likely to be targeted, or not. Everyone deserves to feel safe, confident and at ease in this world.

The Underground Self-Defense Method transforms you into one who is deeply and wholly empowered; physically, mentally, emotionally and in spirit. We teach simple, effective techniques that you can learn and apply successfully even after a single class. These techniques draw from the world’s most respected self-defense arts including Empowerment Self-Defense, kung fu, kickboxing and more.

You can take the steps necessary to feel safe and at ease in this world. Join us in the Underground, where you will be empowered through training in a welcoming, inclusive community. Whether you experience a single class or explore our more in-depth martial arts options, you will emerge transformed. When you take the steps back up to the street, you’ll do it with the community in your heart, but you’ll do it alone, prepared now to face the world with confidence and ease.

SELF-DEFENSE

We offer the Underground Self-Defense Course for women, men and LGBTQ+ folks in 90-minute or 8-hour (2 or 4 week) in-person classes. We also offer an online course and private lessons.

KARATE

We offer weekly drop-in martial arts classes for adults, teens and children (ages 4+). Shaolin Kempo Karate is a holistic self-defense system that is safe, beginner-friendly, effective, engaging and fun.

KICKBOXING

We offer 6-week beginner courses and weekly drop-in classes for beginner through advanced adults and teens. Learn safe and effective technique for fitness and self-defense. Release stress and feel great!

PRIVATE WORKSHOPS

We offer self-defense training for your group, workplace, school or organization. Schedule a call to book a 90-minute introductory workshop, 6-hour comprehensive workshop, or custom experience today.

NOT SURE WHAT TRAINING IS THE BEST FOR YOU?

SELF-DEFENSE COURSE

Self-defense is as important a life skill as knowing how to swim or learning the rules of the road. Unfortunately most people are advised simply to never walk alone at night. This advice is both impractical and freedom-limiting. More importantly, it does not actually help stop most potential violence. What does keep you safer is learning to defend yourself effectively, even without a weapon, even against a bigger, stronger attacker. Take the course and learn how.

MARTIAL ARTS

Whether you took a course and are looking for more of that empowered feeling, or you just want to pick up a fun hobby that helps you improve your fitness, relieve stress and learn self-defense, we have options for you. Our kickboxing classes help you feel strong and energized while learning effective striking for self-defense. Our Shaolin Kempo Karate classes provide a well-rounded martial arts education ideal for people who want try something like this but don’t know where to start. It’s never too late to start or continue your martial arts journey.

“In brief: the instructors (they are all awesome; they make classes consistently informative, challenging, and fun; and they’re always willing to answer questions I have about techniques when I’m confused or curious for more information), the fantastic workouts, the stress relief I get from from hitting things in general, the re-centering that I get from hitting things in a controlled and focused way, the fact that I think I’m actually developing a bit of coordination for the first time in my life, and, finally, the sense of supportive community that I find at Underground whenever I’m there.”

– AnneMarie L.

“I took a self defense class with Underground and it was perfect. I learned about ways you can intervene before an attack and lots of great physical and verbal interventions you can do to ward off an attacker and they even had real male attackers so you got great practice trying the interventions. Great class. Highly recommended!”

– Jessica K.

CORE VALUES

We hold the following core values at the heart of every class we teach and every interaction in our studio:

SAFETY

Our classes and community are a physically, mentally and emotionally safe place for your to learn skills that help you feel and be safer in the world.

EMPOWERMENT

Your personal power is yours. We just help you find it, nurture it, and give yourself permission to step into it without apology. You can do hard things.

INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY

We welcome you even and especially if you’ve rarely seen yourself in spaces like ours. You can relax and be your whole, unique self here.

PERSONAL GROWTH

We believe we always have more to learn and we aspire to be better people every day. We invite you to walk by our side on this journey.

FUN

We teach serious skills but we can get seriously silly. Learning new things and moving your body shouldn’t be a chore! Come laugh and be joyful with us.