Women’s Empowerment Self-Defense Workshops
Registration
All workshop fees are non-refundable and not transferable.
We offer two spots per community workshop free of charge, based on availability, for cis and trans women members of the BIPOC and the LQBTQAI+ community. Please email Genie@thesafetyteam.org to reserve your spot.
NOTE: Once registered for any of our public workshops, we will send you our pre-workshop email about 1 week prior to the event with details about the location of our training, program content and class waivers. In the meantime, please feel free to contact Eileen at Eileen@TheSafetyTeam.org, if you need more information about registration and payment.
The Safety Team frequently adds workshop offerings to our schedule. Please check back for new additions!
Level 1 Class - So. Burlington- Register Here
From 10:00am until 12:30pm
South Burlington Community Room
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Workshop Descriptions
Level I Workshop: The 2.5-Hour Introductory Women’s Empowerment Self-Defense Program
This beginner workshop utilizes both large and small group instruction. By adhering to a 5:1 student-to-instructor ratio, The Safety Team’s trauma-informed trainings focus on boundary setting, affirmative consent, and relevant sexual assault information, as well as the mental and physical skills of Empowerment Self-Defense. The overarching goal of these large-group sessions is to help women discover their collective voice, address victim-blaming by redirecting the responsibility for all assaults on to the perpetrators, improve women’s sense of power and control, and, as a result, reduce the likelihood of sexual assault and violence.
Level II Workshop: The 2.5-Hour Intermediate Women’s Empowerment Self-Defense Program
This intermediate workshop takes Level I another step further, allowing for a brief review of knowledge, practice of acquired strikes, and instruction of additional basic self-defense techniques that deal with a variety of common situations and potential attacks. The focus is on “hands-on” verbal and physical self-defense skills, techniques and strategies, which are presented to the group as a whole, but practiced in small groups of no more than four participants for each instructor. This format facilitates the learning of physical skills and allows for women to connect with one another. Throughout this class, important concepts are reinforced (affirmative consent, boundary setting, each person’s right to be safe). Level I is a prerequisite for Level II.
Previous Level I & II Workshops have been held at Maple Street Park, UVM Medical Center, Move You Fitness Studio, Martial Way Self-Defense Center, Northeast Association of Realtors, Middlebury College, Norwich University, Champlain College, Saint Michael’s College, Burlington Parks and Recreation Department, Otter Creek Awnings, Visiting Nurse Association, The Tribal Office, Gordon’s Windows and Decor, and The Sports and Fitness Edge, to name a few.
Certified ESD Instructors
Christine DiBlasio, Ph.D., PLC
5th Degree Black Belt, Kempo-Jujitsu, Psychologist
Nancy Keller, M.Ed., C.A.S.
4th Degree Black Belt, Kempo-Jujitsu, 2nd Degree Purple Belt, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Educator
Christina Allard, P.T.
Black Belt in Kempo-Jujitsu, Physical Therapist
Eileen Mann, Guardian Ad Litem
1st Degree Brown Belt in Kempo-Jujitsu, Community Outreach Specialist
Genevieve Henry, CD, ICCE, CMT
Black Belt in Kempo-Jujitsu, Educator
Peg Rieley, MBA
Purple Belt in Shaolin Kempo Karate, Property Development
Kate Williams
Black Belt in Kempo-Jujitsu, Educator
Dale Henry
Green Belt in Kempo-Jujitsu, UVM Mental Health Technician
Sarah Carbonneau
Window Decor Designer