Wen-Do and Acts of Resistance Self-Defence Workshops
As part of Consent Week, the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO), in collaboration with Athletics and Recreation, is delighted to bring Wen-Do and Acts of Resistance Self-Defence workshops to the University of Waterloo!
Wen-Do Women’s Self-Defence for staff and faculty
Wednesday, January 24th
11-1PM
Register here
If you're unable to register online, please email warriorsinfo@uwaterloo.ca.
Wen-Do Women’s Self-Defence for students
Wednesday, January 24th
1:30-3:30PM
Register here
If you're unable to register online, please email warriorsinfo@uwaterloo.ca.
Acts of Resistance Self-Defence for 2SLGBTQIA+ students
Tuesday, January 30th
12:30-2:30PM
Register here
Wen-Do Women’s Self-Defence
Wen-Do is a workshop designed for women by women. Wen-Do’s goal is to heighten women’s sense of self-trust and awareness of their environment. Techniques are designed for women of all ages, sizes, and abilities. Instructor Leslie will focus on women's safety and empowerment, preparing participants to defend themselves both mentally and physically, and giving them the confidence to deal with the range of types of aggression they are most likely to encounter in real life. The techniques taught are practical and easy to learn, and the learning environment is safe, supportive, and full of positive energy! A combination of discussion, with practical physical skills will result in mental and physical preparedness. Discussions are focused on knowledge and empowerment, and will be approached through a feminist, anti-oppression lens. Wen-Do is a registered charity and the oldest self-defence organization in Canada taught by women, for women.
About Instructor Leslie
Leslie loves teaching Wen-Do because working at the intersection of practice (learning effective physical techniques) and theory (dismantling stereotypes surrounding violence against women, knowledge about self-defence, and naming women’s experience) profoundly empowers women. She continues to be inspired by her students’ insights, energy, and determination. She also volunteers on the Wen-Do phone line. Leslie holds a PhD in Literature and lectures on representations of empire, race, and gender
Acts of Resistance Self-Defense for 2SLGBTQIA+ students
Acts of Resistance is a self-defence workshop for 2SLGBTQIA+ community members to heighten their sense of self-trust and awareness of their environment. This workshop offers participants an opportunity to discuss personal safety issues and to practice easy to learn, easy to remember self-defence techniques. The workshop reinforces the positive aspects of the way participants confront the threat of fear and violence in their lives.
About Instructor Shaiden
Shailagh (Shaiden) Keaney (xe/xem/xyr) fosters empowerment through passionate, engaging and seriously fun self-defence classes, and has been doing so since 2015. Participants in Shaiden’s classes get practical self-defence techniques combined with skilled explorations of the realities of gendered violence. Shaiden believes in choice, survival and the power of healing through ferocity.
Participants should be advised to:
Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Be prepared to work in bare feet or flat, rubber soled shoes. Bring a yoga mat or very firm pillow to class. Bring water or snacks, as needed.
If you’re interested in participating in any of these free workshops, kindly register through Fusion – please note that space is limited, so if you’re unable to attend, please notify us as soon as possible so we may accommodate another person on the waitlist. Upon registration, you will receive location details – we look forward to you joining us!
If you’d like to learn more about the workshops and/or have any questions, please feel free to email Ravita at rsurajbali@uwaterloo.ca or Donna at dmrheams@uwaterloo.ca.