SELF-DEFENCE / PERSONAL SAFETY COURSE 26

What To Expect

UPDATE: please note date & location change. Join us for this special Self Defence course designed specifically for Rainbow communities in Aotearoa. This course has been developed by Kia Haumaru, an organisation with over twenty years of experience bringing the self-defence kaupapa to Aotearoa, and is led by Vivian Chandra (she/her/ia), a proud queer Kia Haumaru-accredited facilitator and 2nd degree black belt. When: Sunday 14 June 9AM-2PM Where: Western Springs Garden Community Hall What: Rainbow Self Defence Course (lunch provided). This workshop teaches simple and effective skills for increasing personal and collective safety across a range of situations. It involves interactive kōrero about safety, confidence, your rights, and how to set and hold boundaries. You’ll also learn foundational physical techniques such as strikes, kicks, blocks, and evasive movements (wheelchair accessible modifications too), as well as strategies for responding to unsafe situations, such as how to defend yourself against a larger or stronger attacker. These physical techniques are practised in pairs or threes, and while we strongly encourage participation, you always have full autonomy and choice over what you engage with at any point. Self-defence is about disrupting violence to give yourself a chance to get away - how to disrupt violence is different for different people, depending on how you are perceived by society. This course aims to build confidence, awareness, and capability so you feel more grounded moving through the world. There will be two Radiqal support people floating throughout the session for additional support if needed. As koha to help cover expenses (venue hire, kai, administration etc), we are asking for a suggested fee of $25. We also have the option of a $10 reduced fee or reserved free spots for those who need financial support (use the code 'EMPOWER' in the booking form). If you’re in a position to pay, we encourage you to do so - this helps us keep these opportunities accessible to everyone in our community. *People of all genders (aged 16+) are welcome. Only 30 spots available. A brief one-on-one kōrero between yourself and one of our staff members may take place once you have signed up. This kōrero is to ensure this course is suitable for you. We make it our top priority to create a safe, non-judgmental space for whakawhanaungatanga (connecting) and akoranga (learning).