24831 Jefferson Avenue Suite 112, Murrieta, California 92562
Get in touch now 951-387-6449

Blog | California Defense Academy

Request More Information

Request More Information

By submitting your information you consent to receive marketing/promotional sms & email messages from California Defense Academy. Reply HELP for more assistance. Reply STOP to opt-out of messaging. Messages & Data rates may apply. Message frequency will vary.

Request More Information
Kids Martial Arts near Murrieta RSS Feed




  • What to Do If You’re Being Followed

    🚶‍♀️ What to Do If You’re Being Followed A Self-Defense Guide for Women Who Want to Feel Safe Before Anything Happens You’re walking to your car. Or out of the store. Or just heading home after a workout. And then— that feeling. Someone’s behind you. Close. Too close. They’ve turned when you turned. They’ve slowed when you’ve slowed. And your gut starts whispering: “You’re not alone.” At California Defense Academy, we train women to trust that voice. Because when it comes to personal safety, it’s not about being paranoid. It’s about being prepared. This blog will walk you through what to do step-by-step ....

    Read more

  • Why Krav Maga Works: It’s Not About Techniques—It’s About Principles

    🧭 Why Krav Maga Works: It’s Not About Techniques—It’s About Principles The Self-Defense System That Trains You to Think, React, and Survive If you’ve ever watched a self-defense video and thought, "There’s no way I’d remember all that in real life..." You're not alone. And you’re not wrong. In the chaos of an attack, your fine motor skills shut down. Your heart rate spikes. Your brain fogs up. And your body defaults to whatever’s simple, instinctive, and trained under pressure. That’s why Krav Maga isn’t built on memorizing techniques. It’s built on principles—so that no matter what comes your way, you have a ....

    Read more

  • Part 3: Teaching Kids About Social Boundaries

    🤝 Part 3: Teaching Kids About Social Boundaries A Krav Maga Parent’s Guide to Helping Kids Navigate Friendships, Peer Pressure, and Personal Space At California Defense Academy, we believe self-defense goes beyond blocking punches—it includes teaching kids how to navigate the complicated world of friendships, peer pressure, and personal space with confidence and clarity. Social boundaries are where emotional and physical boundaries meet the real world. Whether it’s a friend who constantly teases them, someone pressuring them to do something they know is wrong, or simply needing time alone, kids need tools to recognize what feels right—and what doesn’t. ....

    Read more

  • Part 2: Teaching Kids About Physical Boundaries

    🛡️ Part 2: Teaching Kids About Physical Boundaries A Krav Maga Parent’s Guide to Raising Body-Aware, Confident Kids At California Defense Academy, self-defense isn’t just about reacting to danger—it’s about knowing your worth, protecting your space, and trusting your instincts before things ever get physical. That’s why physical boundaries are such a core part of what we teach. This month, in addition to strikes and drills, our students practiced body awareness, safe touch rules, and the power of saying “no” with confidence. These lessons aren’t just Krav Maga—they’re life skills. In Part 2 of our boundary series, we’re ....

    Read more

  • Why Self-Defense Is the Ultimate Form of Self-Care

    Why Self-Defense Is the Ultimate Form of Self-Care When you think of self-care, what comes to mind? A spa day? Meditation? Maybe a good workout? These are all great ways to relax and recharge—but there’s one form of self-care that most people overlook: self-defense training. At California Defense Academy in Murrieta, we believe self-care isn’t just about feeling good—it’s about being safe, confident, and in control of your life. Here’s why learning self-defense might be the most powerful investment you can make in yourself. Self-Care Starts with Feeling Safe You can light candles, drink green smoothies, and journal your goals—but if you ....

    Read more

  • Safety in Seconds: 60-Second Drills Parents Can Do at Home

    Safety in Seconds: 60-Second Drills Parents Can Do at Home Think teaching your child self-defense takes hours? Think again. With just one minute a day, you can build habits that could save their life. These quick drills aren’t just fun—they help kids develop awareness, quick thinking, and confidence so they know what to do in real-world situations. At California Defense Academy in Murrieta, we teach kids Krav Maga because it’s practical and easy to learn. But safety doesn’t stop when class ends—you can reinforce it at home with these simple 60-second drills. 1. The “Who’s a Safe Adult?” Game Goal: Teach kids how to identify people ....

    Read more

  • The Truth About Knife Attacks (And What You Can Actually Do)

    The Truth About Knife Attacks (And What You Can Actually Do) Knife attacks are fast. They’re unpredictable. And they’re far deadlier than most people realize. In movies, knife fights look choreographed—two people circling, blocking, and exchanging dramatic moves. Real life? It’s chaos. Attacks happen suddenly, at close range, and often before you even see the blade. At California Defense Academy in Murrieta, we teach Krav Maga for real-world scenarios, including knife threats and attacks. Here’s what you need to know about the reality of knife violence—and what you can actually do to increase your chances of survival. The Reality of Knife Attacks ....

    Read more

  • Elevator Safety Tips Every Woman Should Know

    🛗 Elevator Safety Tips Every Woman Should Know Because Trusting Your Intuition Isn’t Paranoid—It’s Powerful You press the button. The elevator doors slide open. Someone’s already inside. Something about them feels... off. It might be the way they’re standing. Maybe it’s how they’re staring. Or maybe it’s just a feeling you can’t explain. Whatever it is— listen to it. At California Defense Academy, we teach real-world self-defense that starts before the fight. It starts with awareness, confidence, and choosing yourself—every time. And that includes something as everyday as riding an elevator. So today, we’re ....

    Read more

  • A Krav Maga Parent’s Guide to Raising Emotionally Strong Kids

    🧠 Part 1: Teaching Kids About Emotional Boundaries A Krav Maga Parent’s Guide to Raising Emotionally Strong Kids At California Defense Academy, our mission goes far beyond punches and blocks. Yes, we teach physical self-defense—but just as importantly, we teach kids how to protect themselves emotionally too. And that starts with understanding boundaries. This month, our students learned how to recognize when something doesn’t feel right, how to speak up, and how to trust their instincts. These are critical life skills—and they’re even more powerful when reinforced at home. Welcome to our 3-part series on boundaries. In this first post, we’re focusing ....

    Read more

  • Screen Time vs. Mat Time: Why Kids Need Physical Problem-Solving

    Screen Time vs. Mat Time: Why Kids Need Physical Problem-Solving Screens are everywhere—TVs, tablets, phones, gaming consoles. And while technology has its perks, too much screen time is creating a generation of kids who are more comfortable tapping a screen than tackling real-world challenges. At California Defense Academy in Murrieta, where we teach Krav Maga and self-defense for kids, we believe the answer isn’t to ban screens—but to balance them. And one of the best ways to do that? Give kids opportunities for physical problem-solving. What Is Physical Problem-Solving? It’s the ability to think and move under pressure, to adapt when things don’t ....

    Read more

Character Development & Self-Defense for All Ages

Request information
California Defense Academy Google five star review - Jeric Sorrell

Jeric Sorrell

I believe that California Defense Academy has some of the top talent in the self defense world. Ericka is a world class instructor who is sharp, aggressive, articulate, and highly educated in the field of self defense.

CDA is great for the experienced and inexperienced alike. They craft each instruction to match the skill level of their students and it's probably the most fun you can have burning calories and building muscle.

My problem with many martial arts is that they simply are not practical on the streets. CDA is highly practical. They give real world scenarios that you COULD find yourself in. This training is made to keep you and your family safe.

California Defense Academy Google five star review - ThisIs Me

ThisIs Me

Ms Erika is a quality instructor, life coach, and a true inspiration in life, family, and friendship. My husband, our two daughters and me, all trained with Ms. Erika for many years. Love her drive, her honesty, her character; she was, and still is, an excellent role model for our daughters growing up. She has helped shaped the young women they have developed into. I thank her for coming into our lives; it has been a blessing in so many ways.

California Defense Academy Google five star review - Chelle Chambliss

Chelle Chambliss

I enrolled my son in classes at California Defense Academy and I can not speak highly enough of this school. They offer a welcoming environment and knowledgeable instructors with a combination of martial arts backgrounds. They use real life situations and circumstances to teach practical self-defense while also actively working on character building. Ms Ericka and all the staff are engaging and make every student feel involved and my son is excited for every class!

Request Information Now!

Join Us for our Free Kids Anti Abduction Seminar!

sign up