Are You an ESD Professional?

Every activity we do aims to benefit Members, the ESD Industry, and our generous Partners and Sponsors.

for Members

Joining the International Association of ESD Professionals provides you access to Members-only services, reduced prices on all Association offerings, access to industry-specific liability insurance, and shows your clients that you are a valued member of the ESD Community.

for ESD Pros

The International Association of ESD Professionals provides services for the entire Empowerment Self Defense Community, related industries, and stakeholders. This section highlights services available through the organization, independent of membership status.

for Partners

Partnering with the International Association of ESD Professionals gives companies access to a global audience of Empowerment Self Defense Instructors and their students. Are you interested in working with us or helping to sponsor some of our programs? Then this is your first stop.

Supporting You as You Empower the World


Our vision: To establish Empowerment Self Defense as a key tool in the international work of Violence Prevention.

What is Empowerment Self Defense?

About the IAESDP

The IAESDP Team

the Mission

Our mission is to engender trust and public safety in and within the broader Self Defense Industry through standards-setting in Self Defense practice. We accomplish this by providing support services to the ESD Community—including credentialing and continuing education, public awareness campaigns focusing on the benefits of Empowerment Self Defense Practice, and increased global reach through official agency funding.

the Association

The International Association of ESD Professionals is a professional association created to elevate the Empowerment Self Defense (ESD) Industry, expand the reach of ESD, engage the community, and support ESD instructors, instructor-trainers, researchers, writers, advocates, and other violence-prevention professionals who adhere to the principles of ESD. Wherever you live in the world in the world, join us as we work together toward shared violence-prevention goals.

International Support for the ESD Professional

Our service portfolio has been thoughtfully curated to help Empowerment Self Defense providers build successful careers, businesses, and nonprofits around the world by providing business support, low-cost services, industry specific continuing education, and a robust Credentialing Program.

Credentialing

Continuing Education

Mentoring & Networking

Web Hosting

Business Tools

Industry-specific Liability Insurance

International ESD Pro Directory

Online Conference & Networking Events

Are You Ready to Make an Impact In Your Community?

Then becoming a Credentialed ESD Professional is your next step.

Watch this video to learn more.

Let's Talk About Your Credentialing Journey by International Association of ESD Professionals

Ready to start your ESD Training?

Find an ESD Training Program near you.

Ready to get Certified?

Check our list of Accredited Certifying Programs.

Ready to become Credentialed?

Register for the next Credentialing Exam Cycle!

news & events

What's going on in the ESD Community? Get your global industry news here!

The Strong Side: A Bold New Step in Violence Prevention in Football from the International Association of ESD Professionals

By International Association of ESD Professionals | 2025-06-10
The Strong Side: A Bold New Step in Violence Prevention in Football The International Association of ESD Professionals (IAESDP) is proud to launch The Strong…

Notes on the Journey: Breaking the Board

By Lauren Lopp | 2025-06-06
Notes on the Journey: On Breaking Boards You don’t fear the raging river. You are the raging river. The first time I broke a board…

From Celebration to Tragedy — What the Paris Violence Teaches Us About Prevention

By International Association of ESD Professionals | 2025-06-03
From Celebration to Tragedy — What the Paris Violence Teaches Us About Prevention Urgant Call for Violence Prevention in Football The recent tragedy that unfolded…

Announcement: Groundbreaking Research Collaboration with Johns Hopkins University 

By International Association of ESD Professionals | 2025-05-29
IAESDP Announces Groundbreaking Research Collaboration with Johns Hopkins University Creating Milestones in Violence Prevention through Empowerment Self Defense The International Association of Empowerment Self Defense…

Post-Yates: 3 Fan-Safety Moves MLS Clubs Still Haven’t Made

By International Association of ESD Professionals | 2025-05-27
Post-Yates: 3 Fan-Safety Moves MLS Clubs Still Haven’t Made A Call to Change: Fan-Safety Must be Treated as a Priority Since the release of the…

Confronting Structural Violence: The Gérard Depardieu Case and the Imperative for Systemic Change

By International Association of ESD Professionals | 2025-05-27
    Confronting Structural Violence: The Gérard Depardieu Case and the Imperative for Systemic Change Empowerment Self-Defense Professionals stress urgent action against rising violence and…

Notes on the Journey: Sometimes Violence is the Answer

By Lauren Lopp | 2025-05-09
Notes on the Journey: Sometimes Violence is the Answer What is Violence? I grew up believing, like most of us I believe, that violence is…

A Commitment to Ethical Practice and Collaboration in Empowerment Self Defense 

By International Association of ESD Professionals | 2025-04-29
Official statement: A Commitment to Ethical Practice and Collaboration in Empowerment Self Defense The International Association of Empowerment Self Defense Professionals (IAESDP) believes deeply in…

Notes on the Journey: Self Defense as Self Sovereignity

By Lauren Lopp | 2025-04-13
Notes on the journey: Self Defense as Self Sovereignty A practice of embodiment, empowerment, and sovereignty “How would you feel about becoming a self defense…

ESD Anthology – Spectrum of Safety: I Challenge You to a Duel​

By International Association of ESD Professionals | 2025-04-10
ESD Anthology – Spectrum of Safety: I Challenge You to a Duel It was a bad time for our family.  The divorce was past, but…

Events, Training, Credentialing Schedule, and more!

More events coming soon!

We're Changing the World.

ESD Professionals are changing the way that Self Defense, Combat Sports, and training and education programs are taught. By implementing Empowerment Self Defense methodologies, we can

Ensure safe, inclusive training and learning environments

Spread Empowerment principles around the globe

Establish ESD as a key tool in violence prevention

Promote common, well-recognized, global standards of what constitutes professionalism and competence for ESD Professionals.

Join the IAESDP now and help us to shape this industry for the future!

Ready to find out more?

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