by Meg Stone | May 30, 2024 | Blog Post
Twenty-two years ago I walked into my first IMPACT class. I was excited, afraid, and hopeful. I looked around the room and saw the big padded suits the instructors wore. I wondered if I would really be able to defend myself against a person that big. I was lucky that... by Shay Orent | May 28, 2024 | Blog Post
There is nothing to do after the final day of a Core class – our longest, most intense weekend class in which we pack 20 hours of training in between Friday night and Sunday – but rest and ruminate. Like a coach after an important match, I find myself replaying... by Meg Stone | Apr 30, 2024 | Blog Post
Someone Tells You Not to “Walk Like a Victim”? When I started teaching self-defense more than 20 years ago, I was told about a study that supposedly explained how attackers choose their victims. Video tapes of people walking down a crowded street in New York City were... by Rene Rives | Apr 29, 2024 | Blog Post
When asked what I do for work, people are often entertained or surprised by my answer, which ranges from “I am a self-defense instructor at IMPACT Boston– we work within the model of Empowerment Self Defense, a feminist framework through which we teach everyday... by Impact Inc. | Apr 3, 2024 | Blog Post
Two meProtective gear is a key component of any IMPACT class. We want students to practice their physical skills with all their strength and force, just as they would in a real life situation. We also need to protect our instructors’ safety. Enter: “the... by Shay Orent | Jan 27, 2023 | Blog Post
A couple nurturing a plant together that symbolizes their relationship. The flower of the plant is a heart. Red flags are a popular topic in our classes. We teach self-defense for worst-case scenario situations, but just like in sports, your best defense is a strong...