11/21/2024
check this out!! (please note that masks sometimes fall off briefly and that the front desk staff person may be unmasked)
from : "Our Portland class is now every Friday night! (starting 11/22/2024) These sessions are free, funded by the community via
Masks are required, and will be provided. Don't wear scents. The gym is shoes-off. Wear clothes you can move in (like a tshirt and gym shorts, with no hard zippers or studs). Expect to sign a Unicorn Jiu Jitsu waiver if it's your first time.
7:30pm - intros & mobility flow
7:45pm - training games (think: team freeze tag plus foam footballs)
8:00pm - technique lesson (usually: grappling while talking)
8:15pm - breakout groups & skillshare & open mat (ie. learn to spar, punch bags, or hang out)
You are welcome to bring a dedicated training partner and work exclusively with that person. You can also just sit and listen to the lesson without participating. You can skip the lesson and just come for the skillshare at the end. There will be a non-LGBTQ class wrapping up at 7:30, and it's ok to come late if you want to avoid crossing paths.
The class is open to all LGBTQIAA+, including questioning & allies, so please don't worry about being queer/trans enough to attend. The technique lessons will be from the Traction Project Curriculum, which was developed for trans women who are BIPOC or sex-workers, and prioritizes controlling the repercussions of defending yourself (so expect it to be much different from mainstream self defense).
The lead instructor for Portland classes is Scout Tran (ey/em/eir), editor of "A Self-Defense Guide for Trans Women" available through Silver Sprocket. You can view many of eir lessons about verbal & strategic defense on tiktok at or traction-project.org/ downloads. The breakout groups & skillshare at the end of class is an opportunity to learn from other people besides Scout - if you're an experienced martial artist, consider leading a breakout group!
features large, clean mats, non-gendered single changing rooms, and plenty of parking. It is all first floor (no stairs), but scents are present.
