Sifu Restita DeJesus has been training in martial arts since 1978 and teaching since 1982. She owns and operates Seattle Wushu Center in Seattle Washington, specializing
in Kajukenbo, Tai Chi, Wushu, and Filipino martial arts. She holds black belt certifications in Butokukan Karate, Wun Hop Kuen Do-Chuan Fa Kajukenbo(Faircloth Method), Kyudo, FMAA Eskrima/Kali/Silat (Petrilli Method), Cacoy Canete's Doce Pares Eskrima, Pangamot , Eskrido, Chinese contemporary Wushu, Chen Taijiquan and Yang Taijiquan. Restita is Lifetime member of the Association of Women's Martial Arts Instructors (AWMAI) and an AWMAI Hall of fame Inductee (2013) and served on the board of directors for the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists (PAWMA). She is an inductee in the Cacoy Doce Pares World
Federation Hall of Fame (2012), an inductee in the Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Honors (2014) and USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame (2015), and a member of the National Qigong Association. She was inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame in 2011, and now serves as an Executive Board Member to the Masters Hall of Fame.

• Flow n' Grow: Partner flow drills based on Filipino Martial Arts (WO)

This workout will explore partner flow drills ("hubud-lubid") or "give and take" drills, based on Filipino martial arts. These drills foster fluidity of movement, limb control, trapping techniques, and angulation. Primarily an upper body/empty hand drill, these
drills can also be adapted to practice with kali sticks.

• Chan Ssu Jin: Silk reeling energy flow (EMWO)

This class is low impact, focusing on Chen Tai Chi Silk Reeling Qigong exercises. The movements are practiced in static moving stance, and in walking stances. An early morning workout or suitable for practice at any time of day.

Master Terri Giamartino school owner and 7th degree black belt has been training in the martial arts since 1978. Her community service activities stretch back to 1980, becoming one of the founding mothers of the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artist (PAWMA), a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of women and girls in the martial arts. Starting as their first President, she continued to serve in various executive capacities from 1980 through 1989. She has served on the board of the Cuong Nhu Oriental Martial Arts Association (CNOMAA), is a member of the American Teachers Association of Martial Artists (ATAMA) and The Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors (AWMAI).  She has coordinated and taught at numerous regional and national martial arts camps.  Recognized as a leader in her field, she has worked for national corporations teaching
self-defense and safety programs and has been influential in both the public and private school sector teaching martial arts and bully prevention to children.  In 1993, Master Terri began Skills for Safe Living, a company dedicated to teaching safety and self-defense skills and opened her school, Emeryville Martial Arts, located in Emeryville, California.  In 2019, Master Terri received the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists.  She was promoted to Master Level, Sichidan (7th dan) at the Cuong Nhu International Association Training Camp, 2017.  In October of 2016, Master Terri was featured in the book: Modern Masters of the Martial Arts:  Actions and Insights of the World's Classical Fighting Styles.  In 2013, Master Terri was inducted into the AWMAI Hall of Fame.  In 1999, Master Terri was voted Martial Artist of the Year by the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists.  She has been a guest on both radio and television including segments on KPFA, KISS FM and SF Live.  A mother and wife of over 40 years, she continues to train and volunteer her time for various martial arts organizations.

• Creating a Financially Viable School: Operations and Marketing (LD)

This class will provide a detailed list of must do’s to make your school financially viable. From critical functions to marketing and managing a martial arts school, we will discuss the steps necessary to make sure you can keep you school alive and profitable. Discussion will also include social media advertising and branding ideas.

Zosia Gorbaty, Hanshi, 9th degree black belt, is designated inheritor of Zujitsu-Ryu Martial Arts, founded by GM Chaka Zulu. She trained in Nisei Goju and Kyokoshinkai Karate for five years, but didn’t find the right style for her until she joined Zulu’s dojo in 1981. They eventually married and together they operated a NYC dojo until 2013. Zosia has a Master’s Degree in Physical Education from NYU, was employed as a fitness professional for many years, and retired after 30 years as adjunct faculty from Adelphi University and Queensborough Community College.  A dynamic presenter, she has given countless seminars on safety/rape prevention, volunteered as a Certified ER Rape Crisis Advocate, and has appeared as a self-defense expert in the media. Zosia served as NWMAF Board Chair and AWMAI Executive Director. Together with Professor Janice Okamoto, they founded the AWMAI Hall of Fame in 2012. She has been a trainer at over fifty national and
international events for AWMAI, PAWMA, NWMAF, Camp Danzan Ryu, Friendship Exchange Tour China, El Halev Israel, and many dojos.  She is a recipient of the Silver Life Achievement Award from the World Head of Family Sokeship Council, Masters Hall of Fame, and 40+ Years AWMAI Hall of Fame. Although retired from a regular teaching schedule, Hanshi still trains six days a week with her husband at their home in Southern California.

• Walking Cane Beach Workout (EMWO)
  

The Walking Cane can be used as a powerful weapon that is portable, light weight, easily accessible, and legal to carry in plain sight. This early morning beach workout will review basic hand position and transitions, strikes, pokes, swings, block and parries, the versatility of the hook, footwork, and more. Bring a walking cane or umbrella with a curved round hook if possible; a dozen plus will be available to
borrow.

Grandmaster Sunny Graff has trained self-defense and martial arts for over 50 years, and is a Grandmaster in Taekwondo and Lapunti Arnis and posture /alignment specialist. She has produced more than 300 feminist, anti-racist self-defense instructors, 140 Black Belts and authored self-defense books in English and German.  Grandmaster Graff co-founded NWMAF, served on the first steering committee, Self-Defense Certification Board and the AWMAI Rank Committee.  She is a Gold medalist in the World Games and Pan-American Games, 4x National Taekwondo Champion with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Taekwondo Hall of Fame.  In 1983 she founded the non-profit school "Women in Movement" in Frankfurt, which has won multiple awards for the protection of children. She teaches all levels, ages, abilities and ethnicities, in multiple arts and weapons in her school and at national and international conferences. Grandmaster Graff is eternally grateful for the training and guidance of many wonderful Grandmasters and Masters worldwide. Her home is in the women’s martial arts community which has been a constant source of support and inspiration.

• Opening Session: Yes and..... we are back!!

There is no better way to make new friends than to move and laugh together.  Laughter breaks down barriers and overcomes hesitation and fear. In this session, we explore new ways to get to know each other, learn each other’s names, be assertive, enhance reactions, train our minds as well as bodies, be successful coaches, work with
a partner, build team spirit, develop group mind and have great fun while doing it all.  Grandmaster Graff borrows from the Improv Comedy community which has awesome games and exercises to build group cohesiveness.

• Fit, Functional, Flexible (EMWO)

Wake up, warm up, get the blood pumping, line up the joints, strengthen and stretch.  Training, or just living, in a dysfunctional body is like driving with the hand brake on.  To release the hand brake, Grandmaster Graff has blended the three methods of functional training which have allowed her to have a long joyful martial arts career (Basisgymnastik from Margaretha Schmidt, the Egoscue Method, Liebscher und Bracht), into a morning workout designed to prepare the body for the day’s trainings.  After warming up the joints and some light aerobics, we will strengthen the body in functional positions and stretch for flexibility.

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Lauren Taylor, founder and director of Defend Yourself, has been teaching Empowerment Self-Defense since 1987. She’s taught more than 35,000 people of all genders, ages, and walks of life, specializing in classes for women, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ people, and survivors of abuse and assault. Under Lauren’s direction, Defend Yourself also offers training in bystander intervention techniques for standing up to hate speech and violence. Lauren is also founder and director of Safe Bars, which trains hospitality professionals in active bystander skills, Empowerment Self-Defense, and de-escalation to create safe, respectful, and welcoming spaces for patrons and staff alike. Lauren is a respected leader in Empowerment Self-Defense and bystander intervention and trains teachers in both fields. She has written extensively on interpersonal violence and prevention (selected publications include Ms. Magazine and The Washington Post). Lauren also has presented at national conferences including: Creating Change (National LGBTQ Task Force), National Sexual Assault Conference and the National Center for Victims of Crime annual training institute. Lauren’s book, co-authored with Nadia Telsey, Get Empowered: A Practical Guide to Thrive, Heal, and Embrace Your Confidence in a Sexist World will be published by Penguin Random House in 2023.  Lauren also has experience as a tae kwon do practitioner of 20 years at DC Self-Defense Karate Association, teaching for about 17 of those years; a founder of My Sister’s Place, DC’s first shelter for abused women and their children, and a member of the shelter staff and board of trustees (1978-82); as one of the organizers of the 1978 March to Stop Violence Against Women (DC’s first Take Back the Night March); and as a meditator and student of Buddhism.

Professor Sheryl Hager, Hachidan, has been a student of Danzan Ryu for more than 50 years.  She began her training with her mother and father, Jane and Jim Dean, in May 1966 at the Redding Jujitsu Academy.  She was awarded her black belt at the age of 17.  Coming full circle, she is currently the head instructor of Redding Jujitsu Academy.  Professor Hager has studied a wide range of other martial arts including Parker’s Kenpo, Tai Chi, and Shotokan Karate.  She is a Certified Massage Therapist in the Japanese Healing Arts.  Professor Hager has also taught empowering seminars in women’s awareness and defense through Kaiser Permanente and WEAVE in the Sacramento area. She continues to provide seminars in the Redding, California area.
Professor Hager is a member of the AWMAI Hall of Fame.

• Inside, Outside, Upside, Downside, Forward and Reverse (MC)

There is a "right" way to do a technique, but we can also look at a technique from alternate directions.  What if we turned it upside-down or inside-out?  A different point of view can help open a student's mind to deeper understanding. Join Professor Hager to explore ways to look at a technique with the freedom to stretch, remake and reshape the boundaries. Learn about the approach and apply it to your own martial arts style.

• Kids Just Want to Have Fun (LD)

Kids are smart, funny, creative, observant and full of energy! Professor Hager will share her top five strategies to keeping a class of children involved, engaged and moving in the right direction.

Doctor, Sensei Amelia Jones is a scholar warrior healer. She has actively practiced the martial arts for 35+ years starting in 1983 as a student of Shorin Ryu. Under the instruction of Katsuo Watanabe Sensei, 8th dan, she has earned the rank of sandan in Tomiki Aikido. Sensei Jones has taught self-defense for schools and community groups. She is a graduate of the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine and certified in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. She continues to study and practice Chinese medicine, Tomiki Aikido, meditation and painting.

• Acupressure Healing Circle (LD)

A community style of acupressure where participants are seated, fully clothed, in a circle with others being treated. Five tiny metal “seeds” are taped to points in each ear. Each individual benefits from the positive energetic and emotional connections of all those treating and being treated.

• Have Fun Teaching Mindfulness (MC)

Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. A valuable and necessary practice, it can seem daunting to undertake, teach and maintain. Participants will engage in a number of games, activities and facilitated
discussions to enhance their teaching.

Jennie Trower is a skilled instructor, presenter and speaker with more than two decades of experience in martial arts, self-defense, and safety training and teaching.  After personal and professional losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jennie pivoted within the safety space, earning a third college degree in emergency management, multiple disaster management certificates through FEMA, and
volunteering for ongoing disaster relief efforts with the American Red Cross. She brings the same balanced, accessible, effective and actionable approach to emergency planning, preparedness and response as she did previously with self-defense.

• Marketing - Marketing for the Martial Arts Business: Hits & Misses    (LD)

In addition to having owned and run three businesses, instructor Jennie Trower has also worked in marketing and advertising for more than 20 years. This blend of experience has provided valuable perspective and a wealth of lessons learned around marketing a martial arts/self-defense business.

Diane Wallander, Shihan Diane's love for martial arts encompasses the training, discipline, striving towards perfection, and life-enriching connections with fellow martial artists. Shihan Diane currently heads the JuJutsu and Hapkido programs at College of DuPage in
Glen Ellyn, IL, specializing in proactive self-defense for girls and women. She is ranked 8th Dan in Miyama Ryu juJutsu, 3rd Dan in Traditional Korean Hapkido and 2nd Dan in WTF TaeKwonDo; she also holds masters and doctoral degrees in Biological Anthropology from Northwestern University. Her extensive background and expertise in the study of animal behavior has led her to a deep understanding of the patterns of aggressive behaviors in humans, which is integrated into her teaching of self-defense.

• Teaching Martial Arts To Special Needs Students (LD)
  

Students with special needs deserve instructors and curricula that recognize, understand and integrate accommodations that are vital to these students' learning and success. Much of the focus of special education has been in the classroom, but not so much in the area of physical education. This session will focus on best practices for teaching martial arts to neurodivergent students, such as those diagnosed with ADHD, ADD & ASD.

Master Kathy Long Sifu Kathy “Kat” Long is a Shodan in Aikido and holds a master rank in Kung Fu San Soo. She has also learned JKD, Wing Chun, and Kali under Guro Dan Inosanto, as well as learning Kickboxing, Boxing, BJJ and MMA. She starred in several martial arts movies including The Stranger, Knights, and Under The Gun, as well as a guest star on
Walker Texas Ranger with Chuck Norris. She was the fight choreographer, fight coach and stunt double for Michelle Pfeiffer in the movie Batman Returns. Her kickboxing skills earned 5-time World kickboxing Champion titles in the late 1980’s through 1990’s, and she also competed in MMA before retiring from the ring in her early 50s.

• Rapid Response Drills (WO)

Participantswill learn drills that increase response skills, blocking and striking in an expedient and efficient manner. Whether your interest is self-defense, contact sports, point sparring or improve timing in general, these drills are great for teachers and students alike and can be modified as teachers see fit.