Youth face hardships as they enter adolescence and approach adulthood. Changing hormones, peer pressure, a general desire to fit in, and an uncertain world with respect to climate change, educational and employment opportunities, are but a few of the factors facing all teens. Potentially add in bullying—virtual and/or physical, abuse in a variety of forms, questions about sexual identity, negative body images, and other challenges, and it’s easy to understand why they can become overwhelmed, anxious, scared, and tentative—about themselves, about others, and about the world around them.

The PowerEd curriculum for youth focuses on instilling a sense of empowerment and skills to handle bullying and aggression through lifeskill exercises and self-awareness. This creates positive change for overall competence, happiness and well-being. Greater self-awareness can break through self-imposed limitation and habits to positively impact goals and choices. Self-defense provides an exciting means for this self-empowerment and personal development.