Upcoming Public Workshops
Below are the Empowerment & Self-Defense classes schedule scheduled for 2025 and early 2026. Check back often, as we are consistently adding new workshops! Most workshops start on Saturdays at 4:30 PM, and range in duration from 1 – 3 hours. Looking for ongoing karate classes? Check out our schedule!
Empowerment & self-defense workshops teach physical self-defense skills as well as communication strategies that allow participants to be and feel safer, stronger, and more self-confident in a variety of situations, making it less likely that they will be targeted for violence, and better able to resist violence if they are targeted. Workshops are led by nationally-certified instructors in Empowerment & Self-Defense. Though these workshops make it less likely that someone will be the victim of violence, there is nothing anyone can do, say, think, feel, wear, believe, or any other action that makes it their fault if someone chooses to perpetrate (or attempt to perpetrate) violence against them.
Embodied confidence
- Learn physical techniques effective in emergency situations
- Discover the natural strengths of your body
- Practice new ways of moving that increase confidence and decrease likelihood of being targeted for violence.
Everyday safety strategies
- Explore effective boundary setting for emergencies and everyday life
- Assessing the difference in our bodies between feeling “unsafe” and feeling “uncomfortable”
- Retraining our racist, ableist, sexist, and transphobic nervous system
Empowerment & Self-Defense for Adults
Saturday, February 7th, 4:30 – 6:30
This workshop for adults 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.
Open to adults of all genders and gender identities.
Empowerment & Sexual Assault Prevention for Teens and Young Adults
Saturday, April 18, 4:30 – 6:30
In honor of sexual assault awareness month, we’re offering an Empowerment & Self-Defense workshop just for teens and young adults specifically addressing sexual assault prevention.
Open to teens and young adults of all genders, ages 14-29.
Empowerment & Self-Defense for Older Teens and Adults
Saturday, July 18th 4:30 – 6:30
This Empowerment & Self-Defense workshop is open to older teens (17+) and adults of all ages. Perfect for those heading off to college in the fall! This workshop 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.
Open to adults and teens 17+ of all genders
Back-to-School Safety for Kids
Saturday, September 12th, 4:30 – 6:00
This kid-appropriate self-defense class will help children stand up to bullies, maintain healthy friendships, and get away to safety in an emergency situation.
Open to children 8 – 12 all genders
De-Escalation and Bystander Intervention
Saturday, October 17th, 4:30 – 6:30
This workshop will help participants de-escalate a tense and potentially violent situation, and intervene on behalf of others who they witness being targeted, whether they know the target or not.
Open to adults of all genders