What Students Are Saying

Colte R.

Empower yourself is one of the best choices I’ve made for myself.

The class has taught me a lot about how to keep myself and loved ones safe,

I’ve gained confidence that I didn’t know I had, and I’m learning a lot about what I’m capable of.

It’s been a wonderful experience learning a martial art with an instructor that is so passionate about what he does. I highly recommend!

Alexis G.

I sought out a Self Defense instructor after experiencing every woman's nightmare. I was assaulted by a man with a knife while out running on a public trail. Although I managed to make it out without major harm thanks to some kicking and screaming, I worried the next time might go different.

Jarett's professional instruction quickly gave me the tools, practice, and confidence I needed to be prepared to defend myself and quickly end the fight if anyone ever tries to grab me again. This has helped me immensely in regaining my confidence and sense of safety to keep running!

Ila Shaw

My time at Empower Yourself Defense was amazing! I truly feel like I learned skills to protect myself, and how to apply those skills to real life situations. Jarett is an amazing instructor and truly personalized the experience for me. 10/10 would recommend!

Felicia B.

Ever since the beginning I have loved it! I have been a student of Jarett's for a while with my sister and though I'm still learning, knowing how to get out of a tough situation is why I wanted to take a self-defense class.  I have found the movements used are done in our everyday life, there is a little to no strain on the body, positive energy, and has immense impact to the aggressor.

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Jarett has always welcomed questions and was very good at explaining things.  I was lucky enough to find this amazing teacher and technique of martial arts.  It has helped me see what I was missing in life.

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I would highly recommend him to all ages and body types.

Sabrina B.

It is surprisingly natural and easy to get a hang of.  I like how it uses everyday motions and incorporates them into moves that can be used to defend yourself from a potential threat.

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With this artform, I have come to realize that you can take simple moves and can develop them into complex more lethal forms depending on what you want the outcome to be.  It is very adaptable and even though sometimes you may not get it right away they are built in a way that virtually anyone can execute them with time and practice.

Alysia F.

I love Empower You Self Defense. The instructor is passionate, knowledgeable, patient, and capable, and always makes sure you grasp the concepts he teaches before he moves on to the next thing. He takes the time to go over the theories of how it works as well as the practical side of things (actually applying the movements). In individual lessons, he allows room for you to focus on things you want to learn, and both in individual and group lessons he is able to demonstrate moves and have us practice in a safe and controlled manner. No two training sessions repeat, and yet the skills we learn in his class are constantly being touched up on and expounded. He also meets you where you are at, and never makes you feel like you're inadequate.

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It is a great practical style of fighting, focusing more on defense and defeating your combatants efficiently. There is no fluff, and everything we learn has a practical application to everyday life, in varying possible situations. It is a unique form that is constantly evolving, though it does borrow moves from all sorts of martial arts (including but certainly not limited to: jiu jitsu, wing chun, kung fu, kenpo, shi-ki and aikido) and applies them differently. It builds on the natural reflexes people have to improve their self-defense. It is a very well-rounded art, focusing not only on the physical aspect of defense, but the mental and spiritual side of it as well. Jarett does make sure that when learning, you learn all aspects of it, not just the physical.

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My personal experience has overall improved my self-confidence, martial understanding, and mental and spiritual well-being. I started learning so I could feel more comfortable and confident in being able to defend myself, and I have gained life skills that continue to help me in everyday life, not just those times when I feel self-defense might be necessary. I would recommend this class and instructor to anyone who wants to learn to defend themselves and actually do so successfully.

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I love it because it's practical and not full of filler and fluff moves!