May 15, 2017

Meet Janet Goliger of C.L.A.S.S. Self Defense in Lake Balboa

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Goliger.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As a physical education teacher with the Glendale Unified School District, and a martial artist (2nd degree black belt), I decided to create a basic self-defense program for my students that would be simple yet effective, and comply with the National and State standards for Physical Education. After working on this project for 2 years I used one of my schools as a pilot school which enabled me to make constructive changes to better the program. I formally began the program in 1999. Immediately it was praised by students, teachers and parents and had already saved the lives of 2 students. Within 2 years the C.L.A.S.S. Self Defense program was being taught within physical education classes in 3 of the elementary schools. In 2002, my district asked me to train all elementary and middle school physical education teachers so they could incorporate my program within their curriculums.

As time went on, I began to teach a smaller version of the program to girl scout troops and community organizations. Parents began to inquire as to how they can continue to work with their children using my program. One parent even mentioned that I should write a book, and so I did. In June 2006 “I need to be safe, I’m worth it!” was published and began selling quickly. Book signings began as well, and in 2007 my book was awarded the IRWIN Award (Industry Recognition of Writers in the News) by the BPSC (Book Publicists of Southern California).

As the original elementary curriculum was gaining popularity I became a trainer at various California Physical Education workshops and State Conferences where I trained other physical education teachers to implement the C.L.A.S.S. program into their current curriculums. In 2008, I published my 3rd book, a Middle School and High School curriculum entitled “Are They Safe?”.

From that point on, I now train physical educators from other districts to incorporate the C.L.A.S.S. program. I have also expanded out into the community offering youth and teen programs in addition to my adult women’s self-defense program known as Onna Musha (Woman Warrior).

In 2012, I was inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame for “Outstanding Contributions to the Martial Arts”.

As the Onna Musha women’s self-defense program was gaining popularity I was contacted by home health corporations to train their employees in self-defense. Additionally, I have also created a Senior Self Defense program that also teaches the use of cane and wheelchair self-defense techniques.

To my knowledge, the C.L.A.S.S. Self Defense curriculums are currently in use in school districts in 22 states and 5 countries.

I continue to teach the C.L.A.S.S. Self Defense program to all of my students, and I train children, teens, adults, community organizations, and corporations outside of my school hours.

Has it been a smooth road?
For what I do it has been a bit of a bumpy road as I did not originally plan for this project to go so far. I had to learn the ropes of starting a small business, copyrighting, trademarks, insurance and really learning how to make this a growing business. The one thing that kept me going was that I knew I had something great to offer and I was good at it.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with C.L.A.S.S. Self Defense – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
C.L.A.S.S. Self Defense specializes in teaching children and teens “how NOT to be the next victim”. This unique self-defense program saves children’s lives and raises their self-confidence, giving them the necessary safety tools they need to be safe in any threatening situation, to recognize danger before something happens, and the ability to flee if attacked by surprise. I teach kids how to deal with bullies, harassment, and the notorious predator. Both verbal and physical techniques are used in the program.

The C.L.A.S.S. Self-Defense program is sequential, developmental and age appropriate, and allows for both group and individual participation by the students.

Our Mission Statement:

“While all children have the right to defend themselves in any threatening situation, most lack the knowledge and ability to do so effectively.”

C.L.A.S.S. self-defense is offered as a solution to this problem.

I am extremely proud that I have taken the necessary steps to offer self-defense to everyone from ages 6-90! I never thought it would go this far and would be praised so highly. I started out just wanting to protect my students when I realized they did not have a clue as to how to deal with bullies, be aware of their surroundings, not knowing what to do if approached by a stranger or actually grabbed. I felt it was my duty to teach them how to stand up for themselves if bullied, to never enter a car, never grab the hand of a stranger, know how to flee before they are grabbed, practice physical techniques that could actually save their lives and learn it all in a non-threatening environment.

To my knowledge, there is no other program out there that works like the C.l.A.S.S. Self Defense program. This is street safety and survival with tools that are age appropriate and simple yet effective, providing children with self-confidence and self-defense techniques that they require to keep themselves safe.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
L.A. has it all! sports complexes, museums, theaters, recreation, night life, beaches and mountains. It is a beautiful place to live and has so much to offer. You can go skiing for the day and come back and take a sunset boat trip in the evening. I have done that. Where else could you possibly do this?

What I like least is simple. The traffic! It has become so congested out there that a simple commute can now take hours.

Pricing:

Private lesson is $75 per hour.
Semi-private lesson ranges from youth $65/hour per person to $67.50/hour per person for adults
Group sessions of 6 or more youth is $40/person for a 2-hour session
Group sessions for 6 or more teens is $50/person for a 2-hour session
Group sessions for 6 or more adults is $55/person for a 2-hour session

Contact Info: