"We don't teach anything complicated because when the time comes and [something] happens, you're not going to remember it."
Women were also taught how to avoid getting into a situation where they needed to defend themselves by following their gut instincts and being hyper aware of their surroundings.
Travelling in pairs was also a good idea.
"It just gives them that confidence. Women shouldn't have to be scared."
The death of Mrs Gotingco has shocked her North Shore community in Auckland.
Responding to the crime, Mile High Karate North Shore has invited women and their daughters to a free personal safety course this week to learn techniques to defend themselves.
Owner Paul Bryant said the karate school was "taking a stand" to help mothers, wives, partners and daughters to not become victims.
"Sadly, there are too many news stories about women being abducted or assaulted and beaten, or worse," he said.
Attacks on women were terrifying and potentially life changing.
But with the right knowledge and basic skills, women could escape and help others.
"Given the proper personal safety and self-defence training, a woman can break through her initial shock, utilise her adrenal rush and the skills she had learned to improve her odds of escape."
Devices like pepper spray and tasers are outlawed in New Zealand for personal use, but some self-defence instructors encourage women to use perfumes and aerosols.
