National Women's
Martial Arts Federation

NWMAF's annual conference includes an intensive professional development program that takes place before the main conference. This program addresses violence prevention and self-defense instruction. It is a chance for those new to the Self-Defense Empowerment Model to learn how to teach personal safety in a strengths-based and trauma-informed way, and for seasoned instructors in the model to share their skills with each other and learn about innovative work being done in the field. 

During the main portion of the conference there are several more ESD offerings, including a Model Course taught by a certified instructor. 

Self-Defense Instructor Certification

The NWMAF is a credentialing body for self-defense instructors. Certification is an extensive process, and the attendance at the early program of the annual conference is a requirement for certification. Additionally, instructors seeking certification are required to attend the Model Course (see above). Read more about certification requirements. 

CEUs

In recent years the NWMAF has partnered with state chapters of the NASW (National Association of Social Workers) to offer Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) for social workers who attend the early program.  We try to offer CEUs whenever possible.

Conference Offerings

In past years, offerings have included:

• Energy Awareness
• Self-Defense Research and the Evidence Base for Self-Defense
• Working with Men & Boys
• Teaching Self-Defense to people who are blind and visually-impaired
• Understanding and Explaining Trauma to Self-Defense Participants
• Microaggressions
• Bystander Intervention
• De-escalation
• Working with Youth
• The Business of Self-Defense
• Field and Office Safety for Social Service and Healthcare Providers

...and much more.  For a complete list of conference offerings, check out the conference schedules from previous years:

2012 

2013