January Newsletter

Dear Culture of Safety friends and supporters,   

Happy New Year to all! We hope your December holidays have been as restful and peaceful as possible. We’re excited to see what the new year brings.  We look forward to updating everyone with our annual reflections, celebrations, and successes of 2025 and goals for 2026 in the February newsletter. 

First things first: We need your help! Can you leave us a Google Business Review? We’re looking for folks to (honestly and authentically) share their experiences working with us. You can review karate classes, Shiatsu bodywork sessions, Self-Defense workshops, trainings you received for your company or business, space rental experiences, Kids Day Camps (it looks like we’re going to re-launch it in February!) and more. If you’ve ever stepped foot in Culture of Safety for any offering or if you’ve been a part of a training we brought to your business or organization, please leave a review. Every bit helps.

Wondering what Culture of Safety is up to?  

We’ve been resting and restoring our minds and bodies for the exciting events of 2026. Here’s what’s going on!

Did you know Culture of Safety offers space rental? Looking for a local space for meetings, trainings, professional or corporate retreats, or wellness classes? We have space available for small to medium-sized groups (up to 25 attendees). We also have a massage treatment room available for rent by the hour. Host your next meeting or event in our calm, soothing, and welcoming space in the vibrant neighborhood of Rogers Park (6961 N Clark St, Clark & Morse). Check out our space rental page for FAQs and fill out an inquiry form to learn more.

Thinking about trying it out? NEW Culture of Safety community discount: Get 20% off your first space rental if you are on this email list. 

Kyren is scheduled for gender-affirming top surgery April 2 and needs your help! 

Gender-affirming top surgery has become a medical necessity for Kyren. It is unfortunately quite expensive, and the recovery is even more expensive.

Unlike people with desk jobs, who can often return to work fully after just 1-2 weeks of recovery, Kyren is told they won’t be able to see Shiatsu/massage clients for a minimum of 6 weeks. They *may* be able to return to teaching karate slowly and carefully and with a lot of support after just 2 weeks, but won’t be back at full capacity until 6-8 weeks. For a small business run by the two of us (with Amy being their primary medical team), this means we may have to pause classes for a a week or 2 and will lose income from students in addition to the loss of Shiatsu/massage client income during that time.

Here’s how you can help:

• Donate to Kyren’s GoFundMe
• Sign up to bring food to Kyren after surgery (via MealTrain)
• Write a Google Review for Culture of Safety. We’re so not kidding! Every bit of support for the business means greater security for us before and after surgery. 

Upcoming workshops & events

We have some big changes and exciting new workshops coming in early 2026!

Merry Music Makers – Winter quarter music classes start Wednesday January 7th (9:30am) are are open to kids age 5 and under (and their caregivers).  Classes are taught by our very own community member Megan Edwards (mother of Senpai Jay). You definitely want in on this!   

Meditation classes – Join us Sunday January 11th for the next Beginners Meditation series (in the samatha tradition). We meet Sundays 10am-11:30. The next beginners series will run from Sunday Jan 11th through Sunday March 22nd. The practice is freely given and open to all. There is no charge for the practice and teachers are not remunerated for their time. Learn more or register online.

Karate Beginners Series and New Member’s Special
Our ever-popular Karate Beginners Series for Adults and Teens starts Wednesday Jan 14th. If you’re the type that gets nervous and wants to try a new activity with a cohort of other new folks, The January Beginners Series is the perfect time to join! With our Karate New Member’s Special of $275 you get 2 months of karate (unlimited classes up to 3x/week!) plus a uniform. Savings of over $80 for this deal! Sign up today or schedule a free trial class. 

For folks interested in karate for their kids (age 4-12), beginners classes are drop-in and we schedule a free trial class before you join. The New Member Special rate also applies (savings of up to $70!). 

Tai Chi Classes – Sifu Rodrigo’s classes are back starting Monday January 19th! Tai Chi classes meet weekly  Mondays at 7pm, starting Monday Jan 19th.  All classes are drop-in, open to beginners. Suggested donation $15 per class. Learn more online or register to receive email reminders.  

Empowerment & Self-Defense Workshop 
Join us Saturday, February 7th, 4:30 – 6:30 for our next Self-Defense workshop. Learn how to feel and be safer, stronger, and more self-confident through our empowerment-based workshop. This workshop for adults (age 18+) includes both physical resistance skills to slow down an attacker and get away to safety, as well as communication strategies to deter violence before it starts. Our workshops are always interactive, engaging, accessible for all bodies and abilities, and trauma-informed. Open to adults of all genders and gender identities. Register here.