About Us

What is self defense? According to Wikipedia, Self Defense or Self Defence or Personal Protection is a countermeasure that involves defending oneself, one’s property or the well-being of another from physical harm.
 
Our Self Defense Awareness schools have been instructing our local community since 2001.  It is our mission to teach, coach, and inform our community that there is a more realistic and pragmatic approach to self protection with everyday street clothing and scenarios. No fancy and complex instructions.
 
Self Defense Awareness teaches you how to handle the element of surprise, get the upper hand in a confrontation, and identify striking patterns. The misconception is that young, physically fit, athletic people develop confidence and self protection skills faster. Wrong! Anyone can learn self defense techniques at any age, in any physical shape, regardless of size.
 
Instead of focusing on one discipline, we incorporate many methods from marital arts self defense.  Such as, kung fu, krav maga/maga krav, mixed martial arts (MMA), jiu jitsu/juijutsu (brazilian jiu jitsu), muay thai, aikido, and kickboxing.
 
Can you learn self protection from videos or a book? Sure, but they have their restrictions. The benefit of class instruction is the availability of a knowledgeable instructor to make sure you are performing the techniques correctly. Also, you are in class with other people like yourself learning the best self defense techniques – this has proven to be a confidence booster. You will have the ability to practice on each other – people of all shapes, heights and ages.
 
At Self Defense Awareness our goal is simple – we help people, so they can help themselves. Don’t be a statistic! Learn the best self defense techniques so you can protect yourself and your love ones in life threatening circumstances.
 
Self Defense Awareness is located in Franklin, Massachusetts and services the surrounding areas of: Wrentham, Medfield, Walpole, Norfolk, Foxborough, Medway, Sharon, Attleboro, Cumberland, Norton, Holliston, Woonsocket, Easton, and Milford.

About Instructor Mike Preite
Mike Preite is the Chief Instructor at Self Defense Awareness.
 
Chief Instructor Mike Preite has almost 2 decades of self defense and martial arts training.  He holds a Black Belt in the Vee Arnis Jitsu system.
 
If you are a female considering self protection but are a little apprehensive, no worries. Chief Instructor Mike Preite has been working with women for over 14 years.  He has held women’s rape prevention seminars gearing the program to specific attacks that women face in a real life situation. In fact, in his experience, he feels women tend to catch on faster because they come into the program without preconceived ideas that they may be as skilled as their counterparts.
 
In teaching personal protection, Chief Instructor Mike Preite does not focus on one discipline, instead incorporates many methods from marital arts self defense.  Such as, kung fu, krav maga/maga krav, mixed martial arts (MMA), jiu jitsu/juijutsu (brazilian jiu jitsu), muay thai, aikido, and kickboxing.
 
 
Chief Instructor Mike Preite has also provided continuing education and instruction to Rhode Island Law Enforcement & Corrections Officers, Massachusetts Law Enforcement & Corrections Officers, Massachusetts S.W.A.T. Officers, and high combat military personnel, as well as the general public.