David Burnell - Self-defense

Davids Burnell - The Velvet Hammer

"Be Ready. Be Aware. Be Unshakable."

FREE Live Women’s Self-Defense Course

Empowerment through Awareness, Action, and Confidence

Simple, effective, and easy to learn, this course is designed to be fun, practical, and empowering. You’ll gain essential skills that build lasting confidence, improve personal safety, and help you avoid or break contact during threatening encounters.

Whether you’re a young woman, an adult, or part of a women’s group, this FREE 2-hour live course is tailored specifically for you. The training focuses on realistic self-defense techniques, situational awareness, and mental preparedness, taught by David Burnell, founder of the Urban Warfare Center and creator of the acclaimed four-volume Defensive Tactics Series.

Who Can Attend

For women and young women only
No mixed-gender sessions—this is a safe, focused learning space for women
Perfect for church groups, school groups, clubs, and community organizations

What You’ll Learn

How to avoid becoming a target
Threat assessment and situational awareness
The dynamics of an attack and how to respond
De-escalation techniques and verbal boundaries
How to break contact and get away safely
Understanding stress, fear, and "spider sense" intuition
Tools for self-defense and the mindset to use them

How to Schedule a Class

Contact David directly to set a date
Provide a location (church, school, gym, etc.)
Gather your group
Live taught class: up to 60 participants (includes hands-on training)
Seminar-style presentation: unlimited audience (no hands-on)
Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours.

What to Bring

Wear loose, comfortable clothing
Bring an open mind and a willingness to learn.
Invite friends—we learn better with people we trust

About the Instructor

Through live instruction and hands-on tactical programs, David Burnell has trained thousands of military, law enforcement, and civilians. His approach is straightforward, encouraging, and deeply experienced, empowering women to survive and thrive under pressure.

Ready to Book or Learn More?

Email: david@burnell.me
Call or Text: 1-385-215-9831

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“David’s class was amazing! He is very honest and real when talking about his life experiences and what we need to do individually to protect ourselves. He doesn’t sugar-coat anything and taught us skills that we can easily remember and practice ahead of time. I was so excited about what I learned that as soon as I returned home I taught my teenage kids some skills. Thank you, David!”

Tricia Tippets

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“I have taken numerous self-defense courses and this is the first where where I actually walked away with some real life skills I know I will remember. This was a women's self-defense/self-awareness class. Dave stresses the importance of situational awareness and how that alone can save your life. But if you are attacked, he shows some very easily remembered, simple methods to help yourself escape. I know what he shared was a fraction of what he knows but he shared it generously and in a way that we all could understand. I'm glad I had the opportunity to take this class. I left more confident in myself and my ability to keep myself out of situations that could cause me harm. Thank you, David.”

Debra Kelly

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“Amazing, informational, learned a lot, have more confidence, all the MOM’S out there. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU AND YOUR DAUGHTER’S do the class together. I can’t express how AMAZING the class was… a BONUS DAVID is a great instructor… bonus… bonus.., he keeps you on your toes and has you laughing the entire time.”

Melanie Daniels

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“This was a wonderful opportunity for our group of women to come together and be empowered. The tools David gave us were very simple and easy to learn. He created a safe space for everyone, and we not only got to work on the physical aspects of self-defense, but the mental and emotional aspects so that we can be confident in tough situations. I am SO glad we did this. Thank you, David for giving a gift to the world.”

Cori Sterling

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"David is incredible to work with. He’s the perfect amount of tough, informative, assertive, yet, genuine, trusting and gentle. He is a light to work with. I hosted a women’s self-defense class at my gym and everyone left empowered, informed, and touched by this incredible man. Thank you so much for your time."

Ashley Wolf

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