Is there a way to confirm this?

[Trek420]

I am more interested in self defense, I found a local place for karate and one for Krav Maga but not sure what I want yet. I would much rather take a women's only so that is what I am looking for.

martial arts is not self defense although training could be useful in that heaven forbid I ever need it .... again

a self defense class is not martial arts.

A good self defense class may be women-only, take 1-3 days and give you good basics. Check schedules of an adult school near you or ask your local police for a recommendation.

and puhleeeese, don't even talk about kick boxing in the gym. Fabulous aerobic workout, fun, get you in great shape .... worse than useless as defense.

I can understand your wanting a women only class but:

if take up a martial art (in a dojo) it will be mixed men and women and likely male instructor. I can count on the fingers of one hand with a thumb left over the women only dojos I'm aware of. On the other hand, there are lots of great women Dojo Cho's (head instructors).

My Sensei (teacher) is a woman, the classes are mixed. And it's a good thing.

I like training with the guys, they like training with me. In a good dojo they will treat you well. I like knowing that if some 6'5" guy attacks "alrighty there big fella, you're shorter than Scott and I can throw and pin him" and the guys like knowing if someone 5' nuthin' attacks .... nah, that's not gonna happen. But when we do some techniques they run the other way because it's soooooo hard to do with someone shorter And sensei comes around and tells them "if you can throw Trek420 koshinage, you've got it!"

I still recommend that if you would feel better taking a class that you look for a good self defense class. That might be women only.

Martial arts is a life-long commitment, not a quick fix. My goal is never stop learning, and never use it. If you decide to take up an art look for a good teacher. Don't worry about the style.

Krav Maga & Karate are both excellent beautiful styles and can be effective self defense. Krav Maga, dang woman, that is some nasty deadly brutal awful bruising deadly stuff. I started with Karate and respect and love the art.

How did you feel about the teacher & school?

Watch a bunch of classes especially beginner classes, you're going to be one for a loooooooong time.

How do they treat beginners? How do they handle someone training with an injury? Do they warm up? Cool down? Do they seem concerned with safety?

We're so lucky in my school that unless she's away all classes are taught by the head instructor. Very unusual for someone of her rank. Go to a bunch of different classes because at most schools different advanced students teach different classes.

Watch an advanced class. You should feel inspired, almost a sense of wonder. That's your teacher! that's your style.

That's how I felt when I first saw Aikido demonstrated. At the time I was already 2nd kyu (upper level brown belt) in Wa Do Ryu Karate, I saw Aikido at a demo and said "I gotta do that.". Two days later I'd signed up. That was about 1980 ... here I am still trying to learn it. Guess I'm slow or it's something you never master.

www.ai-ki-do.org

Well, off to the dojo. Have fun, be safe everyone.