Self Defense for Women and Femmes
in Asheville, NC and Washington, DC
We believe in communities of strong women and femmes who band together to learn how to better protect ourselves and each other.
Learn the fundamentals of self defense in this woman-led, intensive, and trauma-informed workshop series or (new!) regular daily classes. Our goal is to make you feel confident, secure, and powerful in your body - without the bullshit. Participants can expect to learn basic fighting stance, movement, striking, ground work, wrestling, and solutions to self defense scenarios commonly used on women such as front chokes and attacks from behind.
We coach self defense through a series of weekend long self-defensive intensives, designed to inspire more consistent training. These Intensives consist of 11 hours of training across 3 days. The program caters to all levels of fitness and experience. Beginners are welcome and encouraged. More advanced practitioners can expect a great workout while honing their skills. The course is designed to challenge your physical and technical abilities at any level.
In Asheville, we also provide three classes a week at Underdog Martial Arts on Sweeten Creek Rd.
Guerrera Self Defense intensives are offered in Asheville, NC and Washington, DC in alternating months. You can find details about each location by visiting its respective page.
Scholarships
Guerrera seeks to involve women and femmes who need training most - those with identities that put them at higher risk for experiencing violence - survivors of sexual violence, people of color, members of the LGBT community, people without documents, and those with disabilities, among others. We also understand it shouldn't be the economic burden of those at greatest risk to pay for training. This application is for such individuals to access training free of charge.
If you are interested in sponsoring a student, please email Colleen at colleen@guerrera.fit
About the Instructor
Colleen is the founder of Guerrera Fit, a personal trainer, group fitness instructor, athlete, self defense expert, and martial artist. She has over 14 years experience as a fitness professional, working to help people feel strong, confident, and powerful in their bodies. In addition to Guerrera Fit, Colleen is the founder of Guerrera Fight Club, a martial arts community for women and femmes.
Colleen trains and competes in boxing, kickboxing, and jiu jitsu. She is a black belt in Fit to Fight Defensive Options and a brown belt in 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu. She is the 2019 Finishers Open Champion at the Expert Level, the 2019 ONNIT Open Champion at the Expert level, and the 2019 WKA Kickboxing Nationals 2nd place athlete and Worlds qualifier. In addition to martial arts, Colleen is an accomplished endurance athlete, having completed several triathlons, two marathons, and a cross-country cycling tour.
Colleen takes a functionally focused, body positive approach to training. She emphasizes what your body is capable of, rather than what it looks like. She is a published author in the Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology on research she conducted with the Northwestern University Body and Media Lab on how fitness professionals influence the body satisfaction of their participants.