Smash, Spin, and Roll!

Course Description - (Photos)


This exciting and physically challenging course will focus on practical self-defense techniques, de-escalation skills, and non-violent communication. We’ll demystify the subtle and not so subtle ways violence is both perpetrated and perpetuated, and uncover ways to minimize and/or avoid violent situations altogether. The course will blend physical activity with discussions, lessons, and the viewing of a martial arts film. The culminating activity will be a form (series of techniques) that students will learn and practice over the 4 days, and perform on the final day in front of the student body.

What I Can Expect to Learn

Students will have the opportunity to learn and practice valuable physical techniques, boundary setting, and verbal de-escalation skills. They’ll leave with more practical awareness around self-defense, and more confident and connected to their intuition so that in the event of either a physical or verbal/emotional attack they’ll have more options and tools available. Because this course is both physical and personal in nature, participants must be willing to push their boundaries physically and emotionally, take the idea of violence seriously and without sensationalizing it, and be willing to go beyond the idea that they are learning how to fight.

Faculty Leaders: Jo Sandry, Jonah Weaver

Schedule of Activities

Mon, 4/12

  • 9:00-10:15: Self-defense technique/setting physical verbal boundaries
  • 10:15-10:30: Break
  • 10:30-11:45: Discussion/Activity: What is Violence? Violence in film and video games
  • 11:45-12:30: Lunch
  • 12:30-1:45: Spatial awareness/self-defense technique
  • 1:45-2:00: Break
  • 2:00-3:15: Discussion/Activity: Deconstructing self-defense

Tue, 4/13

  • 9:00-10:15: Self-defense technique/forms practice
  • 10:15-10:30: Break
  • 10:30-11:45: De-escalation skills workshop
  • 11:45-12:30: Lunch
  • 12:30-1:45: Self-defense technique/forms practice
  • 1:45-2:00: Break
  • 2:00-3:15: Martial Arts film screening

Wed, 4/14

  • 9:00-10:15: Self-defense technique/grappling/ground-fighting
  • 10:15-10:30: Break
  • 10:30-11:45: Lecture/discussion: Peacemakers making history
  • 11:45-12:30: Lunch
  • 12:30-1:45: Self-defense technique/grappling/ground-fighting/forms practice
  • 1:45-2:00: Break
  • 2:00-3:15: Martial Arts film screening

Thur, 4/15

  • 9:00-10:15: Self-defense technique/grappling/ground-fighting
  • 10:15-10:30: Break
  • 10:30-11:45: Lecture/discussion: Living Peacefully
  • 11:45-12:30: Lunch
  • 12:30-1:45: Self-defense technique/grappling/ground-fighting/forms practice
  • 1:45-2:00: Break
  • 2:00-3:15: Martial Arts film screening

Fri, 4/16

  • 9:00-10:15: Self-defense technique/demonstration practice
  • 10:15-10:30: Break
  • 10:30-11:45: Self-defense technique/demonstration practice
  • 11:45-12:30: Lunch