Master Wasentha Young, a practitioner since 1968, Master Young lectures and educates in Ann Arbor, MI and nationally on Tai Chi, Qigong, Meditation, and self-care practices as it relates to the human emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being.  She is a founding board member of the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors and has taught at such places as: Omega Institute, Institute for Transpersonal Psychology, CA., National Qigong Association, National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine, University of Michigan, UAW, Kaiser Wellness Foundation, CA., and the National Women’s Martial Artists Federation.

• Invoking Imagery Into Your Teaching Of Movement (MC)

Martial art movement, in any style, is a direct transmission of an image into a physical shape, the speed of which at times can be mind-boggling. As in a handshake a movement has gone from understanding the shape and meaning to a direct response and recognizable posture. During this session, Master Young will use a few Tai Chi Chuan movements and lead participants into exploring the intersections of using imagery and body mechanics within their style; the place where you feel/see the image and move it into the substrate of movement patterns.

• For-Profit vs Non-Profit School – Building, Sustaining, And The Pros And Cons (LD)

For those who aim to open or reconfigure a martial arts or self-defense school, one key decision is what kind of legal organization structure will best support your program(s) and allow your business to grow and thrive.  Is being a social entrepreneur and starting a for-profit company or would you benefit more by creating a 501c3 organization which can receive gifts that are tax-deductible for donors but which you don’t actually own and have much less control over?  Master Wasentha Young and Shihan Nancy Lanoue faced these questions many years ago in the early days of their careers as professional martial arts teachers.  In this workshop, they will share why they chose the path they did and what their perspectives are now about the pros and cons of each type of organizational structure.

Shifu/Sensei Koré Grate, Executive Director and Head Instructor of FEMA-Five Element Martial Arts & Healing Center (formerly Feminist Eclectic Martial Arts) founded in 1989 in Minneapolis, MN.  Koré is a founding PAWMA Board Member, past Vice President, and creator of the Elder Council. Koré was honored as PAWMA’s 2005 Martial Artist of the Year, received PAWMA’s esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.  She served as Chair of NWMAF and was a a founding member of A.R.C. (Anti-Racism, All Races Count, Active- Respectful- Communication).  She was AWMAI’s Executive Director from 2013-2023, and was inducted into the 50 year Hall of Fame February 2022.  “I support what I believe in-I love teaching and learning!”

• Black Belt Principles For Kids (MC)

Teaching young folk, 4 to 7-year-old boys/girls, about the deeper principles of our martial arts is something Shifu/Sensei Koré Grate has been developing for a decade.  With specific drills and games, they learn the deeper principles of:

MIND:  How to go from excited to calm and focused.

BODY:  How to work out safely, where all their organs live, the connections, the colors, and the animal movements to help support and heal using Five Element Principles.

SPIRIT:  How to develop leadership qualities and learn to create challenges that help us grow stronger.

• Liangong (EMW)

Each Liangong Section of 18 moves has a specific focus: Series One is for bigger muscle groups, Series Two for deeper connections, tendons and connective tissues, Series Three for Internal energies. It takes a bit of time to learn all 54 movements. Shifu/Sensei Koré Grate will share a selection of her favorites for a taste of each section.

Grandmaster Laura Armstrong, has been teaching/training for over 30 years in the Filipino Martial Arts.  She specializes in impact and edged weapons and hand to hand combat.  The traditional cultural Filipino influence in her training keeps her in a beginner mindset as she is always looking to learn and grow.  She teaches traditional FMA in many styles and systems and keeps connected to the roots of her teachers in the Philippines where she visits and trains with her students every few years.  As a three time world champion, leadership & communication coach for high performing individuals and organizations she brings her expertise on all levels; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual to create a holistic and customized approach to creating success for her clients, students and instructors in life and in the dojo.

• Masterful Communication (LD)
  

Learn to communicate more effectively with your martial arts students/instructors using a values based methodology, it's crucial to understand and adapt to their individual personality types.  Begin by understanding what's important to you and learn to adapt to "speak their language" to tailor your communication accordingly.  Adapting your teaching style can significantly enhance your students' learning experience and strengthen the connections within your martial arts classes.  Recognizing that each student possesses a unique personality type is key.  By incorporating this skill into your teaching approach, you not only improve the learning experience for each student but also strengthen the bonds within your martial arts community.  Recognizing and respecting the diversity of personality types ensures that everyone can thrive and find fulfillment in their martial arts practice, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where students can grow and connect on a deeper level.

Shihan Nancy Lanoue began teaching Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) in 1979 when she co-founded a storefront ESD training center called the Safety and Fitness Exchange (SAFE) in NYC.  In 1985 she moved to Chicago and founded the Women’s Gym, the Midwest’s first feminist fitness center, which in 1990 became Thousand Waves, offering ongoing training in Seido Karate as well as ESD workshops and courses.  With her spouse, Sarah Ludden, she co-directed Thousand Waves’ martial arts and self- defense programs for 33 years.  At this time, she teaches karate at her dojo just once a week; serves on the Council of Senior Leaders, a volunteer advisory body.  She is also part of Thousand Waves’ ESD Teacher Corps, with a focus on training the next generation of ESD teachers.  Her ranks and certifications include 7th dan in Seido Karate, 2nd dan in Kajukenbo and ESD Teacher Certifications from the Association of ESD Professionals and the National Women’s Martial Arts Association.

• Challenges And Opportunities Before, During And After Major Leadership Changes (LD)

Changes in leadership are hard on everyone including those teachers moving on or stepping up, and those members directly affected by the changes. In this workshop, we will discuss issues that must be considered when planning for a major transition and options for what to do if it doesn't go at all as planned.

• (co-teaching) For-Profit vs Non-Profit School – Building, Sustaining, and the Pros and Cons (LD)

For those who aim to open or reconfigure a martial arts or self-defense school, one key decision is what kind of legal organization structure will best support your program(s) and allow your business to grow and thrive.  Is being a social entrepreneur and starting a for-profit company or would you benefit more by creating a 501c3 organization which can receive gifts that are tax-deductible for donors but which you don’t actually own and have much less control over?  Master Wasentha Young and Shihan Nancy Lanoue faced these questions many years ago in the early days of their careers as professional martial arts teachers. In this workshop, they will share why they chose the path they did and what their perspectives are now about the pros and cons of each type of organizational structure.

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Soke Nahid Farzinzad, is one of a handful of women that passed a 30-man fight as part of her 3rd Dan test, at the IKO Honbu under Sosai Mas Oyama on May 22nd, 1993.  Of significance to her career in the Kyokushin world, is her role as the co-founder of IKU and her duties as Chief Instructor of the IKU Honbu.  Her expertise and exemplary discipline in the Kyokushin Way, have served to attract many women to practice and teach traditional Kyokushin Karate.

Grandmaster Sunny Graff has trained self-defense and martial arts for over 50 years, is a Senior Grandmaster in Taekwondo and Lapunti Arnis, a posture/alignment specialist, produced more than 360 feminist anti-racist self-defense instructors, 200 Black belts and authored self-defense books in English and German.  She co-founded NWMAF, served on the first steering committee, Self-defense Certification Board, AWMAI Rank Committee. Sunny Graff was a Gold medalist in the World Games and Pan-American Games and a 4x National Taekwondo Champion with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Taekwondo Hall of Fame.  In 1984 she founded Women in Movement in Frankfurt, which has won multiple awards for the protection of children.  Grandmaster Sunny teaches all levels, ages, abilities and ethnicities, in multiple arts and weapons in her school and at national and international conferences.  She 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.

• Start Off Right With "Move and Smile!" (Opening Session)

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 class, 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.  I borrow heavily from the Improv Comedy community which has just awesome games and exercises to build group cohesiveness.

• Flowing Footwork In Stickfighting (MWO)

Lapunti Arnis de Abanico stands out among the thousands of Philippine stick fighting systems not only for its flowing abanico striking combinations, but especially for its unique integration of Kung Fu footwork.  In comparison to essentially static styles like modern arnis, Lapunti makes use of flowing footwork to gain maximum advantage in a street fight.  Using distance, angle and pressure, the Lapunti fighter positions herself optimally to block or parry an attack, monitor the second hand and deliver a flow of counter attacks.  In this class we will pair striking and abanicos with kung fu cross-leg footwork to create dynamic, flowing striking patterns for defense and counter attacks. We will work in two ranges:  Lapunti long range Streetfighting and Lapunti Middle range streetfighting.  The Kung Fu footwork enables us to move quickly from one range to the next.  Grab a stick and get ready to move!

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Dr. Cheryl Rock is an Author, Musician, Martial Artist, Metaphysician and Professor as well as a Food Scientist who specializes in Nutritional Biochemistry.  Her areas of emphasis are the studies of (1) Ethnomedicine and (2) Phytonutrients and their effects on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), Colon Cancer and Type 2 Diabetes. Additionally, she specializes in martial science; an integration of internal Martial Arts from a dietary approach, with principles of Food Science, Martial Arts philosophy as well as Bagua Metaphysics.  Specifically, she utilizes the Bagua Energy Map and the Five-Element Theory as a framework to educate people of how Eastern (i.e., Bagua) and Western (i.e., Food Science – Nutritional Biochemistry) concepts intersect through diet. Her philosophy of life is to help others experience holistic health and wellness practices in their daily lives through transformation and self-mastery.  She seeks to help others achieve this goal as a result of her own personal experiences and principles as a practitioner of Korean Martial Arts (Hapkido) (1st Dan Black Belt) as well as Brazilian Jujitsu.

• A Sensory Journey To Health And Wellness As A Martial Art (LD)

Analogous to the Martial Arts, the journey of health and wellness is an ongoing practice that requires dedication, perseverance and focus. Additionally, our senses guide our choices and habits in life.  Therefore, participants will learn about how their 5 senses can play the role in fostering the focus and dedication to their health and wellness journey by doing the following:  1. Exploring the use of guided meditation to engage all 5 senses through sensory evaluation of a functional food (i.e., Dark Chocolate as an example) 2. Reflecting on the benefits of the chocolate meditation and examining on how it enhances the practice of awareness and focus through the 5 senses. 3. Applying practices of awareness and focus during meditative eating using the 5 senses as an on-going practice, to bring balance to the body.

Shinshii Janet Aalfs, 8th degree black belt in Okinawan Karate and Modern Arnis, Branch Chief Instructor of Jian Mei Internal Martial Arts, poet laureate of Northampton, MA (2003-2005), and feminist social justice activist, enjoys helping to facilitate “sites for revelation.” Founder and director of Lotus Peace Arts at Heron's Bridge/VWMA in Easthampton, MA, Janet has been sharing her work locally, nationally, and internationally for 45+ years. A widely published writer, and performer of Poemotion©, her third full-length collection of poems, What the Dead Want Me to Know, appeared in 2022.  She has received awards for her writing, teaching, and community education work, and has been a presenter/performer at numerous conferences, festivals, and events.

• Connecting Martial Arts Systems (MWO)

We will explore joyful connections among all types of martial arts systems through one central movement that anyone can do, and that comes from and leads back to the heart.  In an encouraging atmosphere that the group creates together, participants will use this central technique to explore patterns within their own practice (martial arts has art in it twice), and to share in creative exchange with others. Practical applications of various movements will span the range from healing energy flow to self/collective protection.

Helen Yee has been studying martial arts since 1978.  Her training in the external and internal martial arts led her to becoming a licensed massage therapist, and was inspired to pass on her skills by opening a holistic school in Columbus Ohio.  She is the Co-founder and Co-owner of the American Institute of Alternative Medicine. Helen has taught Tai Chi and Chi Gong to acupuncture and martial arts students as well as those who have been interested in holistic and alternative approaches to health.  She has studied various systems of internal martial arts in China as well as the United States, and incorporated much of her knowledge in teaching to students in the various holistic programs at The American Institute of Alternative Medicine (AIAM), martial arts camps and seminars nationally and abroad.

• Chi Gong Where The Mind Goes The Chi Flows (MC)
  

Come and learn how to cultivate, circulate, and store the life force energy, to strengthen your immune system, increase vitality, balance and rejuvenate the energies of the body!

Shihan Darlene DeFour, PhD received the 2016 NWMAF Award of Excellence and has been inducted into the AWMAI Hall of Fame.  She holds a 9th degree black belt in San Yama Bushi Ryu Ju-Jutsu and a 6th degree black belt in Kushinda Ryu Shotokan karate.  She co-founded the National Women's Martial Arts Federation (NWMAF) Anti-Racism Council.  At SDIC starting in 2010, she introduced a course on Applied Microaggressions Defense to the martial arts and self-defense instructors communities, designed to address the subtle forms of racism that often permeate classroom settings.  This class as well as the classes that she has given over the last decade were designed to highlight the need for anti-oppression training as a core competency for all self- defense teachers and other professionals committed to social justice.  A social/community psychologist, she is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Hunter College. Her research explores violence, racism and sexism and their impact on everyday life experiences.

• Yes, That Was A Microaggression, Now What? (LD)

Using Sue et al.’s (2019) microintervention and empowerment self-defense frameworks we will discuss and practice strategies that targets, bystanders, and allies can use to respond to microaggressions.  In addition, participants will also discuss strategies that they already use.

• They've Fallen! How To Keep Them From Getting Up! (MC)

After an attacker has been thrown and hits the ground it is usually assumed that everything is over. This is frequently not the case. Adrenaline can keep the attacker moving. It is important to know how to control the attacker after they are thrown. In this class we will review the ground techniques utilized in San Yama Bushi Jujutsu’s system of ground controls. This class may be of interest to those who do not have locking techniques in their system.