Open to people all genders age 18+
Learn basic self defense to improve safety and efficacy during protests and other civic actions.
Empowerment self defense (ESD) is a holistic training system designed specifically for individual and community safety. This class will cover ESD basics like non-verbal communication, verbal assertiveness, and physical skills, and will cover applications for specific activist settings. We will also practice de-escalation and basic tactical skills for protest.
This workshop is for people of all genders 18 and up, and it is tailored for the current protest climate, including the increased likelihood of police violence. This workshop is coordinated with UT's Project Advance Austin (PAA) who we helped mentor during academic year 2023-24. PAA has covered the cost of the workshop.
We’d like to understand specific concerns you might have about your safety. We would appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to answer this short survey.
Saturday, August 3, 2024
3:30– 6:30pm
Location: Sun Dragon Martial Arts & Self Defense
This workshop is coordinated with UT's Project Advance Austin (PAA) who we helped mentor during academic year 2023-24. PAA has covered the cost of the workshop.
Register Here
Open to people age 15+ for girls/women & nonbinary folks that would be comfortable in a women's class.
Students will learn verbal strategies to deal with situations of disrespect, harassment, and abuse that they face or witness others facing. Through discussions, interactive activities, and hands-on practice, participants will gain skills to recognize potentially dangerous situations, defuse violent situations, as well as defend themselves in the event of physical violence.
This workshop addresses topics that are frequent challenges during this phase of life such as micro-aggressions and harassment. We will practice situational awareness, recognizing red flags in relationships, verbal assertiveness, boundary setting and physical techniques should we ever need them. Violence is always the fault of the aggressor, but there are things we can do to increase our safety and well-being. Empowerment self-defense training reduces the risk of sexual assault for young adults in half, and the risk of attempted sexual assault by two-thirds. Participants report increases in confidence and self-esteem.
Sunday, August 4, 2024
1:00– 4:00pm
Location: Sun Dragon Martial Arts & Self Defense
This workshop is being offered on a payment scale with denominations of $30, $60, $90 and $120. We ask that you please pay whatever you are able to pay among these options.
Register Here
Start the school year with skills for feeling safe and confident. These workshops are designed to empower kids and young adults to advocate for their needs and use boundary-setting techniques to avoid violence before it starts, particularly in a school setting.
Through open discussion, guided activities, scenario-based role play, and physical practice, we cover…
* Using your words to advocate for the needs of yourself and others
* Boundary-setting skills and strategies
* Safety assessment strategies – including identifying safe adults and navigating unfamiliar situations
* Physical defense skills to use in the event of violence.
Saturday, September 21, 2024
1st and 2nd grades: 10:00am – 10:45am
3rd grade and up: 11:00am – 11:45am
Location: Sun Dragon Martial Arts & Self Defense
This workshop is free, but please pre-register (here for 10am class and here for 11am class)