Tonidee,

We at GHH see your dilemma. After a morning of searching and calling places we understand why it's so hard for you to locate a self-defense class in Harlem. We tried calling the local precincts of the NYPD, but they only referred us to 311. 311 doesn't have any information because there are no government programs that hold self-defense classes.

We found three things that may help you. The first is a blog entry from HollaBackNewYork about different self-defense classes, and what kinds of classes they are.

The second is a place that is downtown but accessible by many subways called New York Jiu Jitsu . You can even try out a class there to see if it works for you.

You may also want to try contacting Harlem Tae Kwan Doe . They may have classes that suit your needs and they are located in Harlem right on W. 116th St.

In the meantime we will continue searching and hopefully find some self defense classes in Harlem for you and for the rest of Harlem. Isn't it a shame that they're so hard to find?!

-GHH

Tonidee,

Another option for women would be to contact Female Awareness at (917) 743-3369. If you can get a group of 6 women together, they will come to you (in Harlem or wherever) to teach the self defense class. They are interested in teaching empowerment and basic, straight-up self defense. The classes are $55 per person for a two hour session.

All of these are mere suggestions, we haven't tried any of the classes and they will all give you different experiences, so be sure to talk to the different organizations and make sure that it's what you're looking for in a self defense class.

-GHH

You also might want to check in with your local church (or religious institution) or library to see if they have any self defense classes going on, or if not- maybe you can request one!

Here's some information about Gabrielle Rubin, the founder of Female Awareness: http://www.gethealthyharlem.org/articles/harlem-word-gabrielle-rubin-tells-us-about-her-company-female-awareness-teaches-self-defens