Description

A feminist-forward guide to setting boundaries, assessing safety, and defusing violence by a six-time karate world champion—tools and skills to build confidence, fight back, and live life on your own terms.

Disclaimer: this is not your average self-defense book. As educator, martial artist, movement analyst, somatic therapist, and rape crisis advocate Shihan Michelle explains, “Self-defense doesn’t work to prevent assault; it’s too late, you’re in a fight.” Instead, Michelle champions self-offense, a preventative personal protection strategy invested in defusing trouble before violence becomes necessary.

Beyond Self-Defense empowers you to prevent and de-escalate violence without resorting to physical contact. Including personal stories, interactive practices, and reflective prompts, this practical, accessible, and timely handbook teaches you how to craft your own unique protection protocols. Topics include how to:

• Use your body weight to fend off attacks
• Recognize the emotional triggers of others before they escalate
• Unlearn common biases about safety and vulnerability
• Use space and time to get the upper hand and control situations before they become unsafe
• Challenge patriarchal social standards and claim your voice—and your space

About the Author

SHIHAN MICHELLE is the founder of Karate-Do Wa Ken in NYC, and of Self Offense Services, a personal protection company that leads workshops in assault prevention, boundaries, listening, and de-escalation. Self Offense was created in 2003, after Michelle trained as a rape crisis advocate for Saint Vincent’s Hospital, where she worked with sexual assault survivors of all genders and sexual identities. 

Michelle is a Laban certified movement analyst and registered movement pattern analyst. She holds a sixth-degree black belt in Karate and second-degree black belt in Iaido (Japanese sword), and has taught special workshops in traditional Okinawan weapons in the United States and in Germany. For nearly a decade, Michelle was a competitive fighter, and she holds two world and four north american titles in full contact fighting. 

Michelle presented the Tedx talk Ending Sexual Assault: The Best Defense is a Good Offense in December, 2021. Follow Self Offense on Instagram @self_offense and on Tik Tok @selfoffense.