Welcome

Hello and welcome to the Women’s Self Defense blog.

My name is Theresa and I am a  co-owner and instructor at Shinobi Martial Arts Center in Plaistow New Hampshire and the co-creator of LIVE Lessons In Violence Evasion, teaching women and children to evade and escape violence.  I am also a student, still learning, in this amazing art of Budo Taijutsu and To-Shin Do.

I started studying the martial arts in college.  To me it was a great alternative to stay in shape.  I have studied Shotokan, Tai Kwon Do, Kempo and Tai Chi.  I was getting ready for my third degree Black Belt in Kempo when I stumbled upon this art.  Once I tried class I was hooked.

It was easy for me to give up all rank and start as a beginner because the martial arts were not about rank to me but about effectiveness.  This was the first martial art that had real answers for me.  It used my strengths as a woman and nature to enable me to toss guys twice my size at my very first class.  It felt like I did nothing but my partners flew and that to me was magic.  I mean really how cool is that!  So like Jess I will share my confusion and the magic that I find as I continue my journey.

Theresa Murphy
Co-Owner
Shinobi Martial Arts