Everyday Skills for Stronger Boundaries: What Participants Took Home From Our Self-Defense Workshop
Many Asian American native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities carry a quiet, unspoken tension around safety. It sits underneath daily routines, walking to school, riding public transportation, going to work, gathering in community spaces. How do we keep ourselves and our loved ones safe while navigating bias, isolation, and community-specific risks, without living in fear?
Last month, the Asian Girls Ignite (AGI) Lotus Collective hosted an AANHPI community self-defense workshop led by the team at Imperial Jiu-Jitsu & Kickboxing in Lakewood, Colorado on November 15, 2025. Offered as an in-kind gift to our community, the workshop brought together AGI students and their families, Lotus Collective members, and AANHPI folks in Colorado.
Research confirms what we experienced in that room, empowerment-based self-defense training increases assertiveness, awareness, and confidence (Hollander, 2023). But more than the studies and statistics, it was the feeling of being seen, supported, and strengthened together, that made this gathering so meaningful.
A Room That Shifted: From Apprehension to Collective Courage
The afternoon began softly, almost cautiously. As AGI students, Lotus Collective members, and community participants trickled in, there was a gentle hesitation in the air. Everyone moved into a half-circle to hear the opening remarks, curious about what was to come.
Among them was an AGI student who had shared in her registration that martial arts made her nervous. She only agreed to attend because, as her parent wrote, “AGI always makes her feel safe and comfortable to try new things.” Surrounded by familiar faces and collective warmth, she did more than try, she thrived. By the end, she was beaming and asked to start ongoing jiu-jitsu classes!
After introductions, the Imperial BJJ team led participants through light “tai chi warmups.” Then came forward rolls, known as ukemi. Suddenly, the quiet turned into laughter, cheers, and supportive calls from across the room. Small groups practiced together, wobbling, giggling, encouraging one another through awkward first attempts. At one point, the room was so alive with energy that an old-school call of “Clap once if you can hear me, clap twice if you can hear me” was needed to bring everyone back together.
Meet the Imperial BJJ Team
Maggie Brown-Kinneberg (she/her) | Women BJJ Coach
Maggie is a community-minded leader whose work bridges food systems, health, affordable housing and lifelong learning. She led a social-enterprise through large-scale food distribution during COVID; she now works on policy and systems change with a statewide family foundation, supports national food access with Plentiful, co-chairs the Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids Commission and recently joined the Quivira Coalition Board, advancing more resilient connections between people and planet.
Her passion for movement began in 2009 with a yoga DVD and, in 2015, she began teaching mobility flow, HIIT, and cycle classes. In 2017, she launched a small studio and met a tai chi master who helped deepen her mindfulness practice and certified her to teach Taoist seated meditation. Through that same studio, she met her now-husband, who encouraged new adventures in backpacking and hunting that further grounded her connection to mind-body-spirit and nature. Maggie found Jiu Jitsu and Judo in 2022 and was instantly hooked by the mix of strategy, grit, and playfulness. Now a BJJ blue belt / Judo orange belt and women’s fundamentals instructor at Imperial, she helps others build strength, confidence, and community through movement.
Zachary Maes (he/him) | Judo Coach
Zachary Maes, a Shodan Judo Black Belt and the Head Judo Coach for Imperial BJJ and kickboxing. Beginning his Judo journey at age 8, he became one of Colorado's first sponsored Judo athletes at 18, ranking #1 nationally at 55 kg. That year, he was named Athlete of the Year by the Olympic Training Center, winning titles in both the 55 kg and 60 kg divisions, as well as the 119 lbs Wrestling State Games Championships. His Judo background helped him excel in wrestling, earning three State Freestyle Titles and competing internationally with the Colorado National Wrestling Team, finishing with a perfect 10-0 record at 119 lbs in Europe. Alongside his sister Micayla, he has secured multiple national titles and been part of several National Teams. After transitioning from Judo to college wrestling at the University of Northern Colorado, where he graduated with honors, Zachary took a break from competitive sports. He later teamed up with Sheldon Marr at Edge MMA. Now returning to teach Gi Judo, he is dedicated to coaching in the traditional manner he learned.
Duc Dang (he/him) | Owner • BJJ Coach • Kids Coach
My martial arts journey began in 2013 with kickboxing, then Muay Thai, and eventually Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—and I’ve been passionate about it ever since. Opening Imperial BJJ & Kickboxing was never just about building a gym—it was about creating a community and a place where my kids, along with people of all ages, could grow in skill, confidence, and character. My goal is to provide an environment where students feel supported, motivated, and part of something bigger than themselves. Whether you’re here to train, compete, or simply improve your fitness, I’m dedicated to helping every student unlock their full potential—both on and off the mats.
Coach Jeremy (he/him) | Muay Thai Instructor
With over 14 years of Muay Thai experience, Coach Jeremy brings a global perspective and deep martial arts knowledge to every class. Starting martial arts at the age of 12, Jeremy holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and has also trained in boxing and some BJJ. Jeremy’s journey has taken him across the world, training in renowned gyms throughout the UK, Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and Australia.
Coach Jeremy’s approach is rooted in adaptability and inclusivity. Whether you’re lacing up gloves for the first time or sharpening advanced skills, every session is designed to meet students where they are. Every single class, Jeremy’s “no-student-left-behind” philosophy ensures that beginners build confidence and technique, while seasoned practitioners are consistently challenged and refined.
Expect high energy, technical precision, and a strong emphasis on fundamentals—all delivered with a passion for helping every student grow.
Nate Amado (he/him)
Nate has been coaching movement-based fitness around the world and online for over a decade. He’s been training BJJ for almost 11 years now and has been teaching classes for most of that time. He has several certifications in various health and fitness modalities, including Jiu Jitsu. Early last year, he joined the Army Reserves at age 31. He grappled with basic trainees almost every night in the barracks and even got to teach some troops Jiu Jitsu in his advanced training after the Master Sergeant saw him pulling off the same moves over and over again during Army Combatives training. He co-created the Fight Move Flow retreats in Colombia with another Army Vet and leads the FMF brand, workshops, classes, and personal training, in-person and online.
Why Community Safety Matters for AANHPI Families
AANHPI youth and families carry unique concerns about belonging and protection. Cultural norms sometimes discourage speaking directly about danger or asserting boundaries, which can quietly increase risk and isolation.
Community-based, mixed-age self-defense learning, like what we experienced in this workshop , has been shown to strengthen confidence and encourage protective behaviors (Jordan et al., 2015). With nearly 50 participants in attendance, this event clearly met a real need in our community.
Showing up together broke down fear, stigma, and silence that comes with isolation. It replaced them with knowledge, connection, and mutual care.
Awareness, Boundaries, and Confidence: The Skills We Practiced Together
Awareness
We began with situational awareness, the ability to notice your surroundings, your space, and potential risks before they escalate. This is a foundational skill for youth and adults alike.
Boundaries
Participants practiced setting “clear and compassionate” boundaries, understanding that safety doesn’t require being polite at the cost of comfort. Boundaries protect both the individual and the community.
Confidence
Confidence grew through action, through learning movements, attempting something new, and being cheered on every step of the way. Even when it felt unfamiliar or awkward, no one was left behind.
Techniques That Build Real-World Safety Skills
Participants were introduced to practical self-defense skills that build real-world readiness:
Breakfalls for landing safely if pushed or if slipping on ice or uneven ground
Rising to a strong base to help maintain balance and prevent being knocked down again
Grip breaks to defend against unwanted pulling or restraint
Defending front grabs (shoulder, collar, hair) using an armbar technique
Defending lifts from behind, using contact and a knee bar concept to destabilize an attacker
These were shared as foundational skills, with an emphasis that true mastery takes hundreds, sometimes thousands, of repetitions. What participants gained that day was not perfection, but possibility.
The Power of Showing Up for Each Other
Throughout the workshop, students encouraged adults. Adults encouraged students. Strangers became teammates. Giggles filled the room between practice rounds, and quiet pride took shape in even the smallest successes.
This mutual encouragement reflects AGI’s values of collective care, the belief that we are stronger when we grow side by side.
Even the leads felt the power of that support. One of the co-leaders shared her initial nervousness about hosting for an organization so dear to her heart that resolved into gratitude for the community and her team.
What This Event Revealed About Our Community
This workshop revealed something both simple and powerful: our community is ready to show up for one another. The turnout, nearly 50 people across generations, reflected a shared desire for safety, connection, and growth. Youth, caregivers, and community members stepped onto the mats side by side, modeling what collective care truly looks like. In that room, safety wasn’t just about individual protection, it became a shared responsibility. Each cheer, each outstretched hand, each nervous laugh turned into confidence reminded us that when AANHPI communities are given access to culturally affirming, supportive spaces, resilience isn’t just taught, it is lived. This is what it looks like when belonging becomes protection.
Strength is not about overpowering someone. It’s about knowing your body, trusting your intuition, and standing firmly in your worth.
As Asian Girls Ignite continues creating spaces that promote confidence, resilience, and safety, we invite you to grow with us.
As Asian Girls Ignite continues creating spaces that promote confidence, resilience, and safety, we invite you to grow with us.
Join our mailing list to stay connected with Asian Girls Ignite’s culturally affirming programs and stories that celebrate identity, belonging, and community care for AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth across Colorado.
About Asian Girls Ignite
Founded in October 2020, Asian Girls Ignite is a non-profit organization that provides educational programs for AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth to celebrate their individual and collective power. We use storytelling to empower the next generation to write their futures in their own voice. Our programs and events nurture social-emotional learning to help our students grow in resilience, empathy, and self-awareness.
About Imperial Jiu Jitsu & Kickboxing
Imperial Jiu-Jitsu & Kickboxing is more than a martial arts academy—we’re a family-driven community in Lakewood dedicated to helping people of all ages build confidence, discipline, and lifelong skills. From kids taking their first steps on the mats to adults looking for fitness, self-defense, or competition training, we provide a safe, supportive environment for everyone.
Our mission goes beyond teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Judo, and MMA—we focus on creating positive change in our small community. We help kids overcome bullying, give families a place to grow stronger together, and offer a space where neighbors become teammates and friends. Through training, events, and community gatherings, Imperial brings people together, builds resilience, and inspires growth both on and off the mats.
