Women’s Self-Defense Jiu Jitsu Class in Poway, CA This Sunday
If you have ever thought about learning self-defense, building confidence, getting in shape, or simply trying something new in a supportive environment, this is the perfect opportunity.
On Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 10th Planet Poway is hosting a Women’s Only Jiu Jitsu / Self-Defense Class designed specifically for beginners and women who want to experience the benefits of no-gi jiu jitsu in a fun, safe, and welcoming setting.
This special workshop will be led by Coach Eva Montemayor and is open to women of all experience levels. If you have never stepped onto the mats before, that is completely okay. In fact, this class was built with beginners in mind.
At 10th Planet Poway, the academy’s philosophy is centered around high-level no-gi instruction, progressive training methods, and a clean, family-friendly atmosphere that welcomes women, children, and beginners. The academy emphasizes that martial arts are for everyone, and its mission is to provide strong instruction while helping students reach their personal goals.
Event Details
Here is everything you need to know about this Sunday’s class:
- Event: Women’s Self-Defense Jiu Jitsu Class
- Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026
- Time: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
- Location: 10th Planet Poway, 14009 Midland Rd, Poway, CA 92064
- Instructor: Coach Eva Montemayor
- Cost:
- Free for 10th Planet Poway members
- $20 for non-members
- Phone: (858) 848-6444
- Website: 10thplanetpoway.com
According to your flyer, the workshop includes beginner-friendly instruction on 10th Planet techniques in a fun and supportive environment, followed by 30 minutes of live rolls so participants can safely experience what jiu jitsu feels like in action.
Why Women Should Try a Self-Defense Jiu Jitsu Class
There are many reasons women decide to begin training jiu jitsu, but a few stand out again and again: confidence, practical self-defense, physical fitness, stress relief, and community.
1. Jiu Jitsu teaches technique over size and strength
One of the biggest reasons jiu jitsu is so appealing for women is that it is based on leverage, timing, positioning, and technique, not just athleticism or brute force. That matters because, in real life, self-defense is not about trying to overpower someone with raw strength. It is about learning how to manage distance, improve control, escape bad positions, and create opportunities to protect yourself and get safe.
The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation notes that BJJ is especially valuable because it emphasizes controlling and neutralizing an opponent through technique, making it useful even when someone is smaller or less physically strong than a training partner. IBJJF also highlights ground-fighting skill, confidence, and self-defense preparation as key benefits for women.
2. It builds real confidence, not fake confidence
There is a major difference between thinking you could handle pressure and actually learning how to stay composed when someone is resisting you. Jiu jitsu helps close that gap.
When women train consistently, they begin to solve problems under pressure. They learn how to move with intention, how to stay calm, how to escape, and how to trust themselves. That kind of confidence tends to carry over into everyday life as well.
Research on women’s self-defense courses has found measurable improvements in self-confidence and self-assurance after even relatively short training programs. One 2024 study reported that adult women who completed a self-defense and self-assertion course showed significantly greater self-confidence and self-assurance than the control group, especially in situations involving physical and psychological violence.
3. It is a great workout with real-world value
A women’s jiu jitsu class is not just about self-defense. It is also an excellent full-body workout.
Training can improve mobility, coordination, balance, endurance, body awareness, and overall conditioning. Unlike repetitive gym routines that many people struggle to stick with, jiu jitsu keeps your mind engaged because every class has a skill component. You are learning while you are exercising.
The CDC says that even a single session of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity can improve sleep quality and reduce feelings of anxiety, while regular physical activity provides broader long-term health benefits, including reduced risk of depression, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
4. A women’s-only setting can make the first step easier
Starting something new can be intimidating. Starting a martial art can feel even more intimidating if you are worried about experience level, fitness level, or training with strangers.
That is one reason women’s-only classes matter.
IBJJF notes that women-only BJJ classes often help students feel more comfortable and supported, especially those who may feel hesitant about entering a close-contact sport. These classes can offer a sense of safety and freedom while helping students build confidence before joining broader co-ed training if they choose to.
This upcoming class at 10th Planet Poway is especially ideal because it is clearly advertised as beginner-friendly, with no grappling experience required.
Why No-Gi Jiu Jitsu Is Especially Useful
10th Planet Poway specializes in no-gi jiu jitsu, which means training without the traditional kimono. Instead, students typically wear rash guards, leggings, or athletic shorts.
No-gi training is fast-paced, practical, and highly relevant for modern self-defense because it focuses on body control, clinching, takedowns, top pressure, escapes, positional awareness, and submissions without relying on fabric grips. On its website, 10th Planet Poway describes no-gi jiu jitsu as the heart of what makes the academy unique, combining a modern approach with progressive coaching and effective grappling instruction.
The academy’s own self-defense content also emphasizes that jiu jitsu is effective because of its realistic training, live sparring, and adaptability to different situations. Their site points to skills like guard control, positional dominance, submissions, and the ability to get back to your feet safely as important parts of practical self-defense training.
In other words, no-gi jiu jitsu is not just about learning “moves.” It is about learning how to stay composed, manage contact, and make smart decisions under pressure.
Why Train at 10th Planet Poway
Choosing the right gym matters just as much as choosing the right martial art.
10th Planet Poway has built its reputation around high-level no-gi jiu jitsu instruction for all levels. The academy says it has been serving the community since 2018 and presents itself as a clean, bright, safe, and family-friendly place to train. Its website also highlights a mission of helping students reach goals whether they want to compete, get in shape, or simply learn something new.
The coaching staff also brings serious experience. The instructors page lists Kevin Berbrich, the head instructor, as a 3rd Degree Black Belt under Eddie Bravo and Geo Martinez, with high-level competitive accomplishments in grappling.
For women who have been curious about trying martial arts but wanted the right entry point, this workshop offers exactly that: expert instruction, a focused class setting, and a supportive atmosphere.
What to Expect at the Workshop
If you are attending for the first time, here is what you can expect:
- A welcoming environment for beginners
- Instruction on foundational 10th Planet jiu jitsu techniques
- Self-defense concepts you can actually understand and apply
- A chance to move, learn, and ask questions
- 30 minutes of live rolling at the end for those ready to experience controlled training
You do not need previous grappling experience. You do not need to be in perfect shape. You do not need to know anything before walking through the door.
You just need to show up ready to learn.
What to Wear
According to the flyer, participants should wear:
- Form-fitting athletic gear
- A rash guard or long-sleeve shirt
- Leggings or shorts
- No pockets, zippers, or buttons
- Sandals or slides are preferred
This is standard for no-gi training and helps keep everyone safe and comfortable on the mats.
Who This Class Is For
This women’s-only class is a great fit for:
- Complete beginners
- Women interested in self-defense
- Women looking for a healthier, more empowering hobby
- Former athletes looking for a new challenge
- Women who want to gain confidence in a safe setting
- Friends, sisters, mothers, daughters, and coworkers who want to try something together
Whether your goal is self-protection, fitness, confidence, stress relief, or simply doing something outside your comfort zone, this class is an excellent place to start.
Reserve Your Spot
If you have been waiting for the right time to try jiu jitsu, this is it.
10th Planet Poway’s Women’s Only Jiu Jitsu / Self-Defense Class is happening this Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. It is beginner-friendly, affordable, and specifically designed to introduce women to no-gi jiu jitsu in a safe, encouraging environment.
Free for members. $20 for non-members.
To reserve your spot, DM the gym or call (858) 848-6444. You can also visit 10thplanetpoway.com for more information. The academy is located at 14009 Midland Rd, Poway, CA 92064.
