Self-Defense
Meet other local Self-Defense practicers. Gather and discuss various self-defense methods and trade training tips.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out self-defense events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the self-defense events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
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Self-Defense Events Today
Join in-person Self-Defense events happening right now
DC Kali's Beginner & Advanced Class - Saturday Meetup
Covid Alert:
We will start having classes again at Canal Park on Wednesdays and the dojo on Saturdays. Please bring your own hand sanitizer, and a mask are a must! We'll practice from a safe distance from each other; and progress from there. On Saturdays, class is limited to the first 5 persons to rsvp (until further notice)
"DC Kali" is an official training group for FCS Kali. Our curriculum includes knifes, swords, stick-fighting, striking, and grappling; but we place a special emphasis on edged weapons. Please come out and learn some Kali. Our aim is to train hard, learn some sound defense strategies, and make friends along the way. Although FCS Kali is a combat-oriented systems that involves edged weapons, we provide a safe environment for learning w/o sacrificing realism in our training. We teach in small semi-private groups, allowing each individual student to progress as quickly as he or she can absorb the info being taught. Hope to see you all there.
Mosi K. Jack, Esq. Training Group Instructor
· FCS Manong (under Tuhon Ray Dionaldo) http://www.fcskali.com/ )
Filipino Combat Systems is an organization dedicated the preservation and promotion of all Filipino Martial Arts. Filipino Combat Systems(FCS) is an organization/system with members from around the world. FCS is based on Tuhon Ray Dionaldo's over 35 years of practicing various FMA (Filipino Martial Arts) styles. He's combine elements of each, into one system that's efficient, fast, concise, and logical. FCS members have extremely diverse backgrounds, and Martial Arts systems. We’ve all come together because of our love of the Filipino Martial Arts, and our unwillingness to become involved in the politics that has so often stifled our growth.
Please pick one of the following class and fee combos:
Drop-In Fee: $25/per class (after 1st free Saturday class)
Monthly fees: $80/month (Wednesday park classes included for free), or
Quarterly fees: $210/every 3 months (which comes to $70/month; includes the Wednesday park classes), or
Wednesday Park only: $50/month • Cash and Paypal are preferred method of payment (online payments via Square are available at: https://squareup.com/market/dc-kali )
• One free trial class is permitted (but must rsvp ahead of class) •
Equipment: if you have training knives, rattan sticks, training swords, and/or mma gloves bring them. If not, we may have a few extra.
Training Videos http://www.fcskaliphilippines.com/fcs-curriculum-videos.html http://www.bloodnbonesgear.com/id5.html
Morning Muay Thai (Kickboxing) Training in Herndon, VA 🥊
Join us for [Muay Thai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muay_Thai) kickboxing at [Pedro Sauer Academy of Self-Defense](https://www.pedrosaueracademy.com/) in [Herndon, VA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herndon,_Virginia): an energetic morning class focused on **striking technique**, **conditioning**, and **controlled sparring**. 🔥
This adult (16+) class combines **technical instruction, pad work, partner drills**, and **cardio training** to build real-world skill and endurance in a safe, structured setting.
Beginners and experienced students alike will learn how to apply the principles of **Muay Thai: *The Art Of Eight Limbs***, through precise **strikes**, **timing**, and **defense**.
Classes take place every **Saturday** at **10:00 AM**.
The **drop-in fee is $20**, payable on-site, and note that we are located in **suite #130**.
Come train with us and see why so many in [Northern Virginia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Virginia) choose Pedro Sauer Academy of Self-Defense for top-tier martial-arts instruction.
**Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)**
Q: Is this class suitable for someone interested in **boxing**?
A: Yes! Muay Thai shares many of the same **striking fundamentals** as [boxing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing), including **stance**, **timing**, and **defensive movement**. Students searching for boxing gyms in [Herndon, VA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herndon,_Virginia) or Northern Virginia train at OSMA to develop **solid punching technique** along with **kicks**, **knees**, and **elbows**.
The Archery Social Club Meet
⸻
Important Info 🎯
Please bring your own archery equipment if you have it. I do have a limited amount of beginner-friendly equipment available (enough for about 3 people), but it is first come, first serve.
Feel free to bring snacks, drinks, and good vibes—we’re here to have fun, be social, and enjoy the experience together ✨
Soccer Zero
Be there or get chubby. You decide.
https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/b/7/2/600_364811122.jpeg
RSVPs are required. The reason is that it should increase your own enjoyment. You see, the ideal number of players for a pickup soccer game is perhaps 6x6 - 8x8; some players won't attend if they think the turnout will be low, and others will just assume the game will be cancelled even though we always play. (As a practical matter, smaller games are less fun since the comics won't have the audience they need, but, they do have two hidden benefits: shorter, more intense games/workouts and fewer face kicks/yellow cards. So we play no matter how small or large.) So non-RSVPers are a little short sighted, since they don't seem to want to maximize their own enjoyment in the long run. Rational and sane players who have a good chance of attending RSVP a week early both here and at https://meetup.com/dcsoccer , the parent soccer group.
International Yoga Day with Mark Mays, Author of Tell the World
Join us in celebrating International Yoga Day with a special talk by author Mark Mays.
In this engaging session, Mark Mays will guide a live meditation and share his personal journey of self-realization, along with insights from his book Tell the World: An Author’s Journey of Meditation and Inner Transformation, offering a deeper understanding of inner peace and self-awareness through Sahaja Yoga.
All attendees will receive complimentary entry along with a free PDF copy of the book.
The session will be followed by light refreshments and an opportunity to connect with others.
Walk-ins are welcome.
Photograph Dyke Marsh Wildlife Reserve - Jun 20
The Group gathers in the parking lot between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM to catch the sunrise over the Potomac River.
Google Maps: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/hCUuoxUPKhRbLLZn9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/hCUuoxUPKhRbLLZn9)
Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is known as a top regional birding spot; over **300 species** have been recorded here, including nesting bald eagles and ospreys.
Bring your longest telephoto lens and binoculars. I can help you with camera settings so you can capture sharper images of both perched birds and birds in flight.
It is thrilling to capture the amazing orange and red colors that are only available at that time in the morning.
Share only your very best, most interesting shots after the field trip, and keep it down to between 5 and 10 photos.
Bring water, comfortable shoes, a tripod, fully charged batteries, and empty memory cards...
Park Facts:
Entrance Fee: Free
Allow Dogs on a leash: Yes
Bathroom: On the north side of the Marina is a building for restrooms
National Park Service Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve: www.nps.gov/gwmp
Friends of Dyke Marsh (www.fodm.org)
By sending in an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I agree to abide by the rules and regulations (where applicable) of the event location, and I am also agreeing to the terms of the following release and waiver of liability, which shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. In consideration of my (and my child’s) participation in the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I do hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Organizer, its members, officers, directors, employees, and the leader(s) of this event from any and all liability by reason of any damage, loss, expenses, or injury arising from my (and my child’s) participation in this event, including that caused solely or in part by the fault of any and all of the above-named parties.
Saturday Practice
**If you plan on attending lessons or borrowing equipment please let us know in the comments below. If you do not comment for a spot in lessons or for equipment by Thursday we will ask you to come back another day.**
YOU KNOW THE DRILL!!!
We'll have our usual practice at Needwood Lake at 1pm until we get tired. And as per usual, dinner will follow to whoever wants to come! Just walk right up and say hi!
We'll be having our introductory lesson starting promptly at 2pm going until 4pm. You can bring your own equipment, or are welcome to borrow some. Though our arsenal is limited, we will do our best to get a bow into everyone's hands during this period. Availability is is first-come-first serve, with priority going to new attendees and people participating in lessons.
If you are bringing a +1 please include their name in the comment. If you, or your +1 are under 18 years old, please include the ages of the participant(s) in the comments.*
Latecomers to lessons will be asked to come back another day.
Groups of 4 or more, or for private parties, please message Natasha and Stefani directly.
Although we do not charge for lessons or equipment use, we highly encourage a $10-$20 cash donation to the Club's Equipment Maintenance & Tasty Snack Fund (aka. The George Jar), or if you don't have cash, you can Venmo your donation to @GeorgeDCA.
All members and participants are encouraged to pitch in to the Tasty Snack Fund.
We highly recommend that everyone reads and understands our club policies and range etiquette found on our message board here: https://www.meetup.com/DC-Archery-Club/messages/boards/
Questions? Just ask! See you at the range!
*Minors are required to have a parent/legal-guardian present at all times, or they will not be allowed to participate.
Self-Defense Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Learn Heart based Group Meditation on Sundays in MD
Discover the path to stress management, life's tranquility, and self-improvement through Heartfulness Meditation. Embrace relaxation, meditation, and emotional detoxification practices to unlock your best self. Join our free sessions every Sunday at 8 AM and Wednesday at 7 / 7:30 PM at various centers in MD and VA. Experience the profound benefits of these simple yet powerful practices. Commit to a few months of meditation and witness the transformative impact firsthand. We eagerly await your presence at these enlightening sessions.
NOVA JJJ Training (Sterling)
This is our weekly training session. NOVA Jujutsu is a self-defense focused system incorporating Geri (Kicking), Atemi (Striking), Uke (Blocking), Tai Sabakai (Body Movement), Tai Hodoki (Escapes), Kansetsu Waza (Joint Locks), Nage Waza (Throwing), Shime Waza (Choking), Katame Waza (Grappling), Tantojutsu (Knife), Bojutsu (Bo), Kenjutsu (Sword), and Kata (Forms).
Come on down to a class and see for yourself what this group has to offer. You will get a great workout! You will have an awesome learning experience! You will meet some good people!
We look forward to meeting you.
See you there.
TAGS: japanese, martial arts, self-defense, jujutsu, jujitsu, juijitsu, bujutsu, defense, karate, koppo, kenjutsu, bojutsu, tantojutsu
SRF is offering ONLINE MEDITATIONS in today's climate
PLEASE CHECK THE ONLINE MEDITATION CALENDAR FOR DETAILS OF THESE MORE THAN 50 SERVICES A WEEK- https://onlinemeditation.yogananda.org/calendar/
What Is The Reactive Mind? Can You Get Rid of It?
Do you want more Self Confidence, less Self Doubt, more Happiness, less Anxiety, and more Love? This event is an introduction to how to handle irrational emotion. How often are yours or another's emotions out of control? What is that about??? I have asked these questions and after much search have found answers and am sharing.
Maybe you have suffered a traumatic experience, a deep loss or been through a painful breakup? After that, you try to move on- you just can't. Possibly you have a thought or emotion that hangs around for days and you just can't shake it. What is all this stress, anxiety, depression, and self doubt? It's just crazy! It's not the real you. You can find out what is at the root of all this.
This is an in-person class that can start you on the way to a better life, more confidence and less negativity. All the happiness you have lies within you. Let's find it!
We only use natural proven techniques,
This group is sponsored by the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center.
The Art of Inner Calm: Practical Tools for a Peaceful Mind w/guest Kelle Jacob
Join us for **The Art of Inner Calm: Practical Tools for a Peaceful Mind** with special guest **Kelle Jacob** on **Saturday, June 20th, from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM** at the Meditation Museum - Maryland.
Discover how to create real inner peace with tools you can use every day. Kelle will lead an inspiring discussion on the art of inner calm, sharing simple but powerful methods for centering your mind, interrupting mental noise, reducing overwhelm, and accessing a deeper sense of ease.
In honor of the **International Day of Yoga**, Kelle will also guide participants through gentle yoga exercises, mindful reflection, and practical tools to help create a personalized calm-building routine. **Participation in the yoga exercises is optional.**
**Please bring your yoga mat if you would like to participate in the yoga portion, and come ready to relax, restore, and reconnect!**
Meditation Museum, 9525 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD. FREE EVENT – Register here: [https://shorturl.at/5003o](https://shorturl.at/5003o)
Quads & Doubles Volleyball - Competitive intermediate/A
Let's get together to play some competitive quads and doubles volleyball.
**COST**: FREE
**Court Type**: Outdoor grass
**Minimum Skill Requirements**: Intermediate (click [here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PojSi4qdlRsv1msCHhvpQ43iDc4FfzQwpWCc3kafVMY/mobilebasic) for details)
Attention:
1. This event is **NOT on a first come-first serve** basis and players with higher skill level and players who can bring a net/ball will get priority over others on the wait list.
2. Since skill levels are **self-reported**, some new attendees may not meet the expected level. For doubles, we encourage you to choose a partner you can enjoy the game with, and since this a competitive event, it is okay if you make a strong team and win all the games.
3. Each person must help set up and take down one net, leaving some nets unset for latecomers.
4. Please answer all questions, so it's helpful for us to organize the event.
**Smiley Social documents:**
1. [Group Rules](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HrG35p_0M08leRvCp8XWG3CMkr_GL928XFabl5T6Dvg)
2. [Smiley Social Volleyball Levels](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PojSi4qdlRsv1msCHhvpQ43iDc4FfzQwpWCc3kafVMY/edit)
3. [Good doubles partner](https://docs.google.com/document/d/14weEw-P52XKx0P8K2l-ZOFtYU61wmfdkSkopbG5avro/)
4. [Liability Waiver](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W2mq-7m99lmvd7gdWYaSUFtvVg4UGnzV6koafAbHmco)
Self-Defense Events Near You
Connect with your local Self-Defense community
Fundamentals: by do Jung Ishu/ the art of fighting
We are a real world Martial arts group. \
Called DO JUNG ISHU (the art of fighting) \
Based off of Jeet kune do we just continued where Bruce Lee left off. \
We have been around a while. \
Every week we get together and work technical skills and full contact spar. \
Almost all of the instructors have been in everything from street fights to the ring and some still compete in cage fighting. \
If you want to take your skills up, improve your confidence, gain self defense skills, get in better shape, test yourself or just want to kill some time and possibly get hit a bit come on down. \
We will be located at 3923 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214 Outside in the grass between the playground and horseshoe area. our instructors are normally in a black and red art of fighting shirt \ if you can not find us call or text me at 6143570295
Saturday 1:30pm Wednesday 5:45pm
From Age 16 and up. attendees under the age of 18 must have a guardian with them. \
Wear workout clothes. \
Bring a MOUTHPIECE! \
WE HAVE GLOVES. \
$10 per class
$5 per class if you are wearing a club shirt
Club shirts are $25
Hope to see you soon. \
let me know if you have any questions :)
Ohio Fight club
We are a real world Martial arts group. \
Called DO JUNG ISHU (the art of fighting) \
Based off of Jeet kune do we just continued where Bruce Lee left off. \
We have been around a while. \
Every week we get together and work technical skills and full contact spar. \
Almost all of the instructors have been in everything from street fights to the ring and some still compete in cage fighting. \
If you want to take your skills up, improve your confidence, gain self defense skills, get in better shape, test yourself or just want to kill some time and possibly get hit a bit come on down. \
We will be located at 3923 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214 Outside in the grass between the playground and horseshoe area. our instructors are normally in a black and red art of fighting shirt \ if you can not find us call or text me at 6143570295
Saturday 1:30pm Wednesday 5:45pm
From Age 16 and up. attendees under the age of 18 must have a guardian with them. \
Wear workout clothes. \
Bring a MOUTHPIECE! \
WE HAVE GLOVES. \
$10 per class
$5 per class if you are wearing a club shirt
Club shirts are $25
Hope to see you soon. \
let me know if you have any questions :)
Free In-Person Event: Handle Self-Confidence & Motivation to Achieve Your Goals
This is an in-person meeting.
Would you like to know the Real You, not just a shadow of yourself? Does your life energy feel somehow trapped within? Does your self-confidence get easily shaken? Do you get in the way of your own goals? We will discuss the real source of all this, what holds you back in life, and how to handle it so you can achieve more successful and happier living.
Perhaps you get weighed down with negative emotions you can't seem to shrug off. Or find yourself doing strange and irrational things - not really being yourself. We will cover why that is and tools that work to help you unearth your self, your self-confidence and motivation.
This meeting will help you learn about how to effectively overcome:
-Out-of-control unwanted emotions
-Low self-esteem
-Anxiety
-Negativity
-Stress
-Irrational fears
-Traumatic or painfully emotional incidents
-Breakups
-Betrayals
-Feeling like you're not really yourself
-Self-doubt...
We will discuss how to unleash the inner you and tap into your true potential. So come to this online meetup!
This meeting is sponsored by the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation of Central Ohio
Shut Up & Write!® East Side Columbus
Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, February 11 at Streetlight Guild.
Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done.
**SCHEDULE:**
6:45ish - Quick introductions
7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour
8:00 - The End
**OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing.
**BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer.
Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild!
**WHAT SHOULD I BRING?**
Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you!
**OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:**
* **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space!
* **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels.
* **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay!
* **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.
Drunken Philosophy: Where Is Everybody? The Fermi Paradox and the Great Filter
Welcome to Drunken Philosophy, a casual, curious, social discussion club. Come grab a drink and a seat at The Oracle.
**Optional topic for this meetup: Where is everybody?**
In 1950 the physicist Enrico Fermi was talking about aliens over lunch and asked a question that still has not gone away: if the universe is so vast and so old, and even a fraction of those billions of stars have planets, where is everyone? By the numbers the galaxy should be crowded with civilizations. Instead we look up and hear silence. That gap between "they should be everywhere" and "we see no one" is the Fermi Paradox.
One of the most unsettling answers is the idea of a **Great Filter**: somewhere on the road from dead chemistry to a galaxy-spanning civilization, there is at least one step that is almost impossible to get past. Maybe the filter is behind us. Maybe life starting at all, or simple cells becoming complex, or intelligence ever evolving, is the freak accident, and we already cleared the hard part. Or maybe the filter is ahead of us, and advanced civilizations reliably wipe themselves out before they spread.
Here is the part that messes with people. If we ever found life somewhere else, even pond scum on Mars, most people would call it the greatest discovery in history. But it might be the worst possible news. It would mean life is common, the early steps are easy, and the hard step is still in front of us. So the eerie silence overhead might actually be the best sign we could ask for.
**Questions to wrestle with:**
* Is it better to be alone? Would you rather we find alien life and learn we are not special, or find nothing and quietly improve our odds of surviving?
* Where do you bet the filter sits, behind us or ahead of us, and why?
* If it is ahead of us, what is it? Nuclear war, climate collapse, AI, something we cannot even picture yet? And can we do anything about a filter we cannot see coming?
* Two principles pull opposite ways here. The principle of mediocrity (the Copernican principle, Sagan's "no privileged place in the universe") says we are ordinary, so what happened on Earth probably happened everywhere, which makes the silence scream louder. The anthropic principle says of course we find ourselves somewhere life was possible, since we could not observe anything else, so our being here may say almost nothing about how common life is. Which lens do you trust, and does the silence still demand an answer once you account for observer selection?
* And if we did confirm life out there and had to accept we are not special, what would that do to belief in a higher power, and would shedding (or keeping) that belief help or hurt our odds of pulling together as one species?
* Does any of this change how you live, or how humanity should be spending its time and money right now?
As always the prompt is optional. Come for the conversation, stay for the drinks, and bring your own questions.






























