Coco Ballantyne got the idea for Dance Defense in 2021, during her Krav Maga green belt test. As she watched the other students sparring, she was reminded of her favorite art form: Dance. The fighters moved with confidence and intention, and some of the movements, like bobbing and weaving, were actually beautiful. Was there a way to combine the potentially lifesaving techniques of martial arts with the joy of dance? Could a person be strong and powerful, and graceful and expressive at the same time?

YES, and YES!

Thanks to a good friend and dancing buddy Alice, who helped Coco flesh out the idea, and Steve Sohn, who took a chance and hosted the first class at his gym, the idea came to life! Check out these adventuresome women who came to the very first class: