The WNC Center for Self Defense Team

Our instructors come from a range of backgrounds. While some have spent years in traditional martial arts, others have spent the majority of their training in reality based self defense. No matter where our instructors have come from, one thing is certain...

We pride ourselves on staffing instructors who live and breathe self defense. While some of our insructors teach full time and some part time, they all have one thing in common- they believe that everyone has the right, as well as the responsibility, of self defense. They also believe that your self defense begins and ends with you.

What does "begins and ends with you" mean? It means that ultimately, the responsibility to protect you and your family lies with you. We have a great law enforcement community here in Asheville and in the Western North Carolina region. Unfortunately, though, we can't all have an officer escort us 24 hours per day. And, while an officer is only a phone call away, they can not simply snap their fingers and be at your side.

Our instructors have a single, important goal- to teach you how to protect yourself and your family when law enforcement can't be there. While we do teach physical techniques of self defense, we do not limit our instruction to only that. As a student of our school, you will also learn about the psychology of violent confrontations, emotional aspects of self defense situations, and how your body reacts (and how to control it) under stress. And, if you or someone in your family has experienced violence, our staff can provide support and information about community resources.

Click on the names below to learn more about each of our instructors.

                          Steve Ledford                        Brenda deLaet