
Confidence. Safety. Real Skills—Built for Real Life.
Our Homeschool Self-Defence Program is a unique offering designed specifically for home-educated youth. Through focused, once-a-week sessions, students build powerful, practical skills in a welcoming and supportive environment—while developing strength, confidence, and personal safety awareness.
Each 90-minute class follows a structured, engaging format:
- Safety Chat: We begin with age-appropriate discussions around self-defence concepts like when it is/isn’t appropriate to use physical self-defence, awareness, and using your words to de-escalate things before they get violent. These conversations build critical thinking and confidence in real-world situations.
- Dynamic Warm-Up: Movement-based warm-ups help students prepare to train, burn off energy, and build coordination and focus.
- Fitness Training: Each class includes functional movement and conditioning activities to develop strength, agility, and overall physical confidence. This is particularly emphasized in our Teen course.
- Skills & Drills: Students learn effective, practical self-defence techniques—including strikes, escapes, and defensive movement—through hands-on practice and age-appropriate partner work.
- Skill-Building Games: Kids classes also wrap up each session with high-energy games that reinforce what they’ve learned and encourage teamwork, resilience, and fun.
This program begins with a 4-week Introductory Phase, designed to build a strong foundation in basic skills and safety concepts. From there, families can choose to continue with the remaining 8 weeks to complete the full 12-week Level 1 Program. The extended training includes scenario-based drills that help students apply their skills under pressure—deepening their confidence and preparing them to react in real-world situations. Students may also register for the full 12-week experience up front.
FEEDBACK FROM PARENTS:
Email feedback from parent of a 12 year old girl
“I also wanted to say thank you for what you do. [My daughter] is loving your classes and really appreciates you and how you teach. I love that the kids have consequences and accountability to keep them on track. Even more than that though I am so thankful that she is learning how to defend herself. This world is becoming scarier all the time and knowing she will have the skills to defend herself if she ever needs them brings some peace to this Mama’s heart. She’s never been super athletic (definitely more the artsy/academic type) but her confidence in what her body can do is growing all the time and it is so good to see her wanting to train more and become strong in body as well as spirit. She’s a pretty determined girl and watching her grow even more through Level 2 will be great. It is so good for her to have someone like you as a role model and instructor. You are doing great work!”
5 star Google Review from Ryder Jenne – father of 4 students
We have four kids of different ages, who have been attending the homeschool classes at Empowered Defence Centre, and I genuinely cannot say enough good things about the experience.
What I appreciate most is that this program goes so far beyond simply teaching kids how to physically defend themselves. They are learning how to confidently navigate the world around them how to interact safely with adults, recognize when something doesn’t feel right, identify real-life dangers, set boundaries, use their voices, and trust themselves.
As a parent, there is something incredibly reassuring about watching your kids develop those skills. You can actually see their confidence growing, not just in class, but in how they carry themselves.
The instructors have also found such a great balance in how they teach. The kids are supported and encouraged, but they’re also challenged. They aren’t expected to already know everything or get everything right, but they are expected to try, participate, learn, and grow. It feels thoughtful and intentional rather than fear-based, and the lessons are practical and relevant to situations kids may actually encounter.
Having four children with different personalities, ages, strengths, and needs also makes me appreciate how well the program connects with different kids. They are each getting something valuable from it.
We originally wanted our kids to learn skills that would help keep them safe. What they’ve gained is much bigger than that: confidence, awareness, independence, stronger boundaries, and a better understanding of how to safely move through the world.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Empowered Defence Centre to other families, and especially to homeschool families looking for something that teaches genuinely useful life skills while helping their kids become more confident and capable.
Google review from Joe Wood – father of 4 students
“Sarah has created an incredible program with multiple levels for kids and adults alike! Her homeschool program has proven itself with the consistent students, where they have built on strength, endurance, safety, friendships, communication and fun! 90 minutes of activity, as well as mental training and situational awareness, make for relaxed and focused kids 😀
Not only does she teach self defence, but she also teaches how to set, train, reach and even surpass goals. The surprised looks when the adrenaline kicks in of the “I did that?!” and the confidence building is fantastic! The leadership and encouragement of Sarah and her assistant intructors is awesome, and all 4 of our daughters have benefited from the programs, even with 4 very different personality types and athletic levels.
Sarah’s ability to work with all people shines, and her programs are affordable, practical and bonus: no fundraising requirements!”
Testimonial from Amy Kliewer – mother of 2 students
“My boys did the Homeschool Self Defence class with Sarah. They not only learned how to stay safe but also gained a lot of confidence and had fun while doing it. Sarah was kind and made every single child feel strong and secure. Sarah teaches the children how to feel safe but also smart ways to stay aware of their surroundings and how to handle situations safely without making them fearful. My boys feel capable and prepared to protect themselves as well as the people around them. I very strongly recommend the Homeschool Self Defence program for parents looking to help their children build good habits, stay active and gain self -assurance.”
Facebook Review from Mandy Wood – mother of 4 students
“Sarah is awesome! Our kids enjoy both the homeschool and teens classes, and have learned so many practical skills, mentally and physically! So many great things: endurance, situational awareness, staying calm, endurance, strength, perseverance, confidence, and of course incredible self defense techniques! I cannot recommend Sarah enough!”
PRICING INFORMATION
INTRODUCTORY COURSE
One month, 4 x 90min classes
$100 plus tax
*Option to upgrade from the Introductory Course to the full Level 1 Course is available
LEVEL 1 COURSE
Three months, 12 x 90min classes
$300 plus tax
Upcoming 2026-2027 Courses
Intro and Level 1 Courses
Class Times for all Courses
Kids Classes: 11:00am-12:30pm
Teen Classes: 12:30pm-2:00pm
FALL 2026 – TUESDAYS
Starts Tuesday September 22 2026
Intro Course ends October 13 2026
Level 1 Course ends December 8 2026
*no classes the week of November 10
If your child has previously completed the Intro Program and you would like to return to finish the rest of the Level 1 course, please contact Sarah directly by emailing info@EmpoweredDefenceCentre.ca.
Winter/ Spring 2027 Level 2 Course
Once students have successfully completed Level 1, they will be invited to continue their training in progressively advancing classes.
A Level 2 Course (6 months) is scheduled to run on Tuesdays beginning January 2026, subject to minimum interest being met.
If your child has previously completed Level 1 and you would like to register for the Level 2 course, please contact Sarah directly by emailing info@EmpoweredDefenceCentre.ca, as this course will not be publicly posted for enrolment.
