Quarterly 3-Hour Workshops

Spring - Stress Management
Summer - Five Fingers of Self-Defense
Fall - Assertive Communication
Winter - Five Fingers of Self-Defense

This workshop encourages self-care and healing through reflection, focused physical practice, and meditation. Participants learn techniques for use in managing stress arising from everyday interactions. In a range of activities participants will connect with others, have fun, and learn concrete tools they can incorporate into their workplace and lives.

Specific areas of focus include:

• Easy to learn relaxation and stretching techniques
• Interactive play exercises to build energy
• Self-care exercises for self-esteem and self-knowledge

Within our framework of the five fingers of self-defense—Think, Yell, Run, Fight, and Tell—participants learn how to accurately assess areas of danger in their lives and increase their awareness, self-confidence, and safety. Through discussions, role plays, and partnership exercises, participants practice assertive communication skills and effective physical techniques to feel safer and more self-empowered.

Specific areas of focus include:

• Assertive communication for peaceful conflict resolution
• Easy to learn strikes and kicks to disable an assailant
• Resources for healing and building alliances

In this workshop, participants practice effective communication strategies for interrupting inappropriate behavior. Participants learn communication tools for maintaining harmonious and safe workplaces, homes, and communities. Through small group role plays, reflection, and large group discussion, participants practice verbal strategies for working through situations ranging from mild to dangerous.

Specific areas of focus include:

• Effective limit-setting when someone has crossed the line
• De-escalating an agitated individual
• Intervening when someone else is the target of violence

Students learn the Five Fingers of Self-Defense — Think, Yell, Run, Fight, and Tell — and practice applying these strategies to a variety of situations. In role plays, group discussions and partnership exercises, students gain confidence and increased awareness as they learn concrete ways to respond to conflict and violence.

Specific topics include:

• Dealing with harassment
• Recognizing red flags in intimate relationships
• Facing an armed assailant
• Releases from grabs
• Fighting from the ground
• Intervening safely when others are the target of violence