“Working with Joelle has been both eye-opening and empowering. The classes I took struck the perfect balance between practical, hands-on training and a supportive, judgment-free learning environment. I not only learned effective techniques to protect myself, but I also discovered a lot about how I respond under pressure, which helped me build real confidence, no just physically but mentally and emotionally. If you've ever doubted your ability to defend yourself or felt unsure about what you'd do in a threatening situation, this course is 100% for you. It's not just about fighting back. It's about reclaiming your sense of safety and strength, and remembering the warrior inside of you. I can't recommend it enough. You'll walk away with skills, self-trust, and a new level of awareness that stays with you long after the class ends.”

“I started working with Joelle two years ago after breast cancer treatment. I felt old, stiff and tired all the time from cancer treatment and years of a sedentary job. Joelle started me off with gentle stretches and plenty of encouragement that yes, I could become more flexible, stronger, have better balance and more energy. As we worked together twice weekly, in fact I did become stronger, obtained better posture, had greater flexibility and balance, grew stronger in my faith in myself, and achieved my first belt in Tai Chi at the age of 68. My practice with Joelle is an essential to my well-being. Her encouragement, flexibility, listening ear and gentle training turned a couch potato into a warrior.“

“The class was so much more than I expected. I came in wanting to learn basic self-defense, but I left feeling more connected to my body and inner strength. What stood out the most was how calm, safe, and empowering the environment was—especially for someone like me who tends to be quiet and reserved. Even without sharing much out loud, I felt like I was able to process and release more than I realized I needed to. The class gave me tools not just for physical safety, but for emotional resilience too. It was healing in ways I didn’t expect, and I’m really grateful for the experience.”

“One of the things I like best about working with Joelle is how she checks in with me before we begin our practice. I also appreciate that she doesn’t push me to do anything that is unsafe for me. Tai Chi and Kung Fu are both part of my daily life. It’s always the perfect workout - just what I need!”

“Joelle had a very personalized approach, and focused on what my body and mind needed alongside the foundation of what I was there to learn. The blend of emotional and spiritual grounding with power, strength, excitement, and more easily made it more than just a martial arts lesson, but a full package deal. Would highly recommend!”

“Joelle has has an immense wealth of knowledge and intuition and a genuine eagerness to help people perform at their optimal levels. She is incredibly easy to work with and makes it enjoyable to implement change and diversity. She establishes realistic goals. I really appreciated that Joelle’s approach was not one of deprivation, rather modification.”