Self Defense
Women and Femmes
Self Defense
Ready to feel unstoppable? At Underdog Martial Arts in Asheville, NC, we offer high-energy, empowering self defense training through weekly Guerrera Self Defense classes, monthly weekend intensives, and specialized workshops — all designed to make you stronger and more confident in your body and your skills. With weekly classes led by Guerrera founder Colleen Daly, you'll train in a bold, woman-led, trauma-informed environment that blends the best of kickboxing, jiu jitsu, wrestling, judo, and real-world self defense. Our monthly Guerrera Intensives dive even deeper, offering 3- or 10-hour weekend workshops that are open to all experience levels — beginners welcome! Whether you're here to build power, protect yourself, or connect with a badass community of women and femmes, Guerrera will meet you where you're at and help you level up. Colleen is a black belt in a leading self defense system, a brown belt in 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu, and a former competitor in boxing, kickboxing, and jiu jitsu — and she’s here to teach you how to fight, but mostly to remember that you are worth fighting for. It’s serious training, but a hell of a lot of fun.
Interested in weekly classes? Fill out the form here!
Interested in weekend seminars? Register below!
Women and Femmes
Self Defense 101
4 week course
Starting May 30th, Underdog Martial Arts is hosting a 4 week Women’s Self Defense course designed specifically for beginners.
This course focuses on practical self defense skills that can be applied in real-world situations while creating a supportive and welcoming training environment. Over 4 weeks, participants will learn about the four major tenants of self defense:
Striking
Learn fundamental stance and footwork, basic punches and kicks, and some defensive reactions.Wrestling & Clinch Work
Understand distance management, balance, control, and how to stay standing when someone grabs you.Ground Defense
Learn positional awareness, core concepts for escapes, and some tips for how to protect yourself if a situation ends up on the ground.Verbal Advocacy
Self defense starts long before things become physical. We’ll cover boundary setting, situational awareness, and verbal skills like the hard and soft method that help avoid escalation whenever possible.
Course Details
Dates: May 30th – June 20th Time:Saturdays at 10am Cost: $99 per person Location: Underdog Martial Arts 1156 Sweeten Creek Rd Asheville NC
No prior martial arts experience or fitness levels required.
This course is beginner-friendly and designed for everyday people looking to build practical skills in a safe and structured environment.
Space is limited and registration is required.
Queer/Trans/LGBT+
Self Defense Workshops
We are dedicated to providing trauma-informed self defense training to those typically overlooked by the martial arts industry.
So if you’re looking to learn tried and true self defense principles and practice a little kicky-punchy-chokey-breaky amongst friends, we invite you to join our free self-defense workshops every first Saturday of the month from 12:30–2PM (Usually). No experience needed - just bring your energy and a willingness to learn. The training is FREE to anyone in the LGBT+/queer/trans community. Money not required, but registration is, so reserve your spot below!
(Move to the first Saturday of each month in the schedule)