Welcome to Be Your Own Hero, a different kind of martial arts and self-defense program specialized for young girls so they can take ownership of their own lives.

Imagine your child stepping into a space where they not only build confidence and self-esteem but also learn valuable skills to stand up for themselves and others.

Our weekly Be Your Own Hero program empowers young girls to trust their intuition, discover their voice, and develop lifelong resilience, all while having fun in a safe, female-centred, and nurturing environment. With engaging activities and games, practical self defense techniques, and a focus on social-emotional growth, your daughter will leave feeling stronger, more confident, and ready to take on any challenge life throws her way.

If you want all this for your child, this program is for you. This is how you can help empower them to be their own hero.

This program is for your child if...

  • They want to build self-confidence and self-esteem, feel proud of who they are, and be strong enough to handle life’s challenges.

  • They sometimes feel nervous in new places or around strangers and want to feel more confident and aware in any situation as they grow their independence.

  • They want to learn how to protect themselves and stand up to bullies, using a range of physical, verbal, and mindset strategies to stay safe.

  • They face friendship problems and want to learn how to make meaningful connections and build positive, lasting relationships.​

What to Expect from Be Your Own Hero

  1. Practical Self-Defense Techniques: Proven methods founded in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Empowerment Self Defense to stay safe, develop awareness, and navigate conflict. Our approach emphasizes de-escalation and getting away to safety rather than engaging in violence or “winning a fight”.

  2. Confidence Building Activities: Through interactive discussions and games, we provide strategies that support and transform mental health, emotional self-regulation, academics, healthy friendships, and well-being that develop inner confidence and a sense of belonging and safety.

  3. Lots of Fun and Movement: Packed with fun, engaging, and age-appropriate activities and games, participants will be learning and embodying practical life skills without even knowing it! They will become their own hero, making new friends along the way.

  4. Curriculum & Promotions: Our newly updated curriculum ensures progression and mastery of techniques, with different mindset lessons and games each week. Participants receive a stripe on their white belt every 10 classes, recognizing their progress and dedication. After earning these stripes, they will be ready to test for the next Be Your Own Hero belt, symbolizing their journey and achievements in the program.

Why Be Your Own Hero?

  • Female-Owned, Designed, and Led: Our program is proudly female-owned, designed, and led especially for young girls. We address common challenges faced by female-identifying children and youth, providing a supportive and empowering environment. While we centre the female/femme experience, we welcome non-binary and LGBTQ2S+ children who need this program just as much.

  • Safety, Inclusion, and Trauma-Informed Instruction: We’re a martial arts program with a difference. We prioritize safety and inclusion for all participants, ensuring everybody feels welcome, no matter their physical abilities, gender, or race. Our trauma-informed instruction adds an additional layer of care and attention, building trust and ensuring a safe, supportive environment for every child. We strive for mastery in a non-competitive, non-combative way.

  • A Holistic Approach: Our lessons focus on the five principles of Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD). We teach children to “think” by believing in themselves, being aware of their surroundings, and making safe decisions, “yell” to use their voice assertively to set boundaries and deter potential threats, “run” to prioritize escaping to safety when possible, “fight” with practical self-defense techniques to protect themselves only if necessary, and “tell“ to report any incidents to a trusted adult and to seek support and healing.

At Be Your Own Hero, we address common concerns faced by all preteens, ensuring your child becomes a well-rounded, resilient individual. Read more about the benefits here.

Registration Details

👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 Who: Girls ages 9-13yrs (grades 4-8)
📍 Where: Nimbus Grappling, 4259 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC.
📆 When: Every Wednesday, starting Sept 25 to June 18 (no classes over school breaks).
⏰ Time: 4:00 - 5:15 pm
✨ Class Rate: $35/class + $40 uniform fee (t-shirt & belt)
💕 Winter Term (Jan 8-Mar 12): $330 for 10 weeks + 50% off uniform fee (t-shirt & belt)
👉🏻 Rest of the Year Deal (Jan 8-June 18): $650 for 22 weeks + FREE uniform!
🎉 Buddy Discount: Sign up with a friend and both get 10% off your membership!
🆓 New here? One FREE trial class - we invite you to come check out a class & see what you think.
📧 Got questions? E-mail Jess at hello@ariseprograms.com for more info.

Testimonials

FAQs

  • While our school programs and workshops are for everyone, Be Your Own Hero is open to all female, femme, cis and trans people, as well as non-binary people, who are comfortable in a space that centres female experiences and realities.

  • We teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for self-defense as it utilizes control, leverage and timing over aggression, power or strength to keep oneself safe. It is perfect for the smaller person as it instills the notion that “you are the boss of your own body”.

    *No previous martial arts experience required.

    PLEASE NOTE: We do not condone or encourage violence or aggression. Our approach emphasizes deescalation, options, and escape. Classes do not involve sparring but does utilize partner work.

  • Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) is a comprehensive violence prevention strategy suitable for all individuals in vulnerable situations (eg. age, gender, race, etc). It utilizes a blend of mental, verbal, and physical techniques proven to effectively reduce incidences of abuse.

    Classes are experiential, focusing on teaching through active participation, engaging both the mind and body.

    ESD is structured around five core principles: THINK, YELL, FIGHT, RUN, TELL. Instructors use these principles to teach skills for de-escalating violence and defending oneself and others. These skills are accessible to everyone, regardless of height, weight, or physical ability, emphasizing not just self-defense but also fostering a sense of self-reliance and empowerment.

    The aim of ESD is not only to educate participants but also to make the learning process as enjoyable as possible.

    Learn more about ESD around the world: HERE