Empowerment Self Defense Workshop

This self defense course will help you recognize rish and de-escalete conflict, using your voice and physical tooks to respond to potentially threatening situations from strangers, acquaintances or intimates.

Learn practical defenses against grabs, chokes and strikes and project a more confident self!

This is a donation-based workshop, suggested donation is $20-30; no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Donations will go to support Project Commotion's programming for children, families and educators in our community.

Facilitator Bio

Michele is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who holds the rank of Shichidan (7th Degree Black Belt) in Shobayashi Shorin-Ryu and Rokudan (6th Degree) in Shudokan Karate. She began her work in the bay area in 2005, where she established the Okinawan Karate Club of San Francisco.

For over 30 years, Michele has practiced martial arts and taught personal safety, violence prevention, and de-escalation throughout the country and abroad. Her work uniquely bridges the intersection of physical safety and psychological resilience, defined by a steadfast commitment to trauma-informed care and service to marginalized populations.

Michele has provided extensive clinical services to the US Navy, the LGBTQQI and BIPOC communities, youth within the juvenile justice system, and survivors of domestic abuse. Her approach to violence prevention is deeply rooted in compassion, integrating mindfulness-based stress reduction with practical de-escalation tactics. Her mission is to help participants develop the mental clarity and verbal/physical tools necessary to navigate conflict and enhance their personal safety.

Currently, Michele serves as the Board Chair of the Board of Directors for the International Association of Empowerment Self Defense Professionals (IAESDP).

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Lizz Roman and Dancers in collaboration with Project Commotion