Women Empowered Self-Defense Classes in Fort Worth
Women Empowered, is the official women-only self-defense program of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, using practical Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) principles to teach women how to recognize, prevent, and respond to common physical threats.
Our ongoing Women Empowered classes in Fort Worth follow a structured 15-lesson curriculum covering defenses against 20 common attacks, including grabs, choke holds, bear hugs, ground pins, and other close-range situations. Each class introduces practical techniques that students can develop through hands-on, cooperative partner training.
Unlike self-defense programs that depend heavily on size, strength, speed, or athletic ability, Women Empowered emphasizes leverage, timing, movement, and positional control. This makes the program accessible to women with no previous martial arts or Jiu-Jitsu experience.
You can begin at any point in the curriculum. Classes are designed so new students can participate from their first day without needing to complete earlier lessons first.
Training is cooperative and beginner-friendly, allowing you to develop your skills and confidence through regular practice without being immediately thrown into competitive sparring.
No previous martial arts experience is required to get started.
Learn more about the program directly from Gracie University HQ website.
Built for Beginners
You don't need to be strong, athletic, flexible, or already comfortable with martial arts to start Women Empowered. The program is specifically designed to give women with no previous experience a practical and approachable introduction to physical self-defense.
Classes are taught through structured instruction and cooperative partner practice. Rather than immediately competing against your training partner, you'll first have time to understand each technique, practice the movements, and gradually become more comfortable applying them with another person.
Because the curriculum is based on leverage, positioning, and timing rather than strength alone, students of different ages, sizes, and fitness levels can train together and develop at their own pace.
There's also no need to “get in shape first.” Training itself provides an opportunity to improve coordination, movement, and physical confidence while learning practical skills.
If you've never taken a martial arts or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class before, that's exactly who Women Empowered was designed for.
More Than a One-Time Self-Defense Workshop
A self-defense workshop can be a great introduction, but developing skills you can rely on takes continued practice.
Women Empowered® is an ongoing training program where students can regularly practice techniques, revisit previous lessons, and gradually become more comfortable applying their skills with a partner.
The 15-lesson curriculum is designed to be completed as a cycle, with techniques from different lessons connecting together as students gain experience. Over time, students develop a better understanding of how to respond when a situation changes rather than simply memorizing individual defenses.
The 15-lesson curriculum repeats throughout the year, so you can start at any time and continue training at your own pace. As techniques become more familiar, students can work with increasing levels of resistance and develop a better understanding of how the techniques fit together.
If you've attended one of our FREE Women Empowered workshops or kickoff events, our regular classes are the next step for continuing your training.
Interested in Jiu-Jitsu?
Women Empowered can be a complete self-defense program on its own, but for some students it also becomes their introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling.
As students become more comfortable working with training partners, ground positions, and physical resistance, they may decide they want to explore Jiu-Jitsu beyond the Women Empowered curriculum.
Our Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals classes provide a natural next step. These co-ed beginner classes teach the Gracie Combatives® curriculum, expanding into additional standing and ground techniques while maintaining the same structured, cooperative approach to learning.
There is no requirement to move into Gracie Combatives—you can continue training exclusively in Women Empowered for as long as you'd like. But for women who discover they enjoy Jiu-Jitsu, the option is there to gradually expand their training when they're ready.
Want to explore more? Learn about our Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals classes.
Ready to Try Women Empowered?
You don't need previous martial arts experience, special equipment, or a particular fitness level to get started. Choose a Women Empowered class below and come experience the program for yourself.
Our regular classes are beginner-friendly, and new students are welcome to start at any point in the curriculum.
Prefer to try a free workshop first? We also host free Women Empowered Kickoff events several times throughout the year.
Why Try Our Women Empowered Program?
- Taught by a Husband and Wife Team
- Designed for Beginners - No previous martial arts or Jiu-Jitsu experience is required.
- Practical Self-Defense - Learn techniques designed around common threats and situations women may face.
- Structured Curriculum - Work through the official 15-lesson Women Empowered® curriculum at your own pace.
- Cooperative Training - Practice with your partners in a structured environment focused on learning rather than competition.
- Start Anytime - Lessons can be taken throughout the curriculum cycle, so there's no need to wait for a new session to begin.
- Progressive Training - Develop your skills gradually before adding greater resistance as you become more comfortable.
- Online Training Resources - Use Gracie University resources to review lessons and reinforce what you learn in class.
Have a Question? Please Contact Us!
Ready to Try Women Empowered?
Your first two weeks are risk-free.
Come try our Women Empowered® classes in Fort Worth and experience the program for yourself. No previous martial arts, Jiu-Jitsu, or self-defense experience is required.
Follow the prompts below to schedule your first class.
We are located at:
8808 Camp Bowie West Blvd #110
Fort Worth, TX 76116
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