IMPACT Chicago offers self-defense workshops for businesses, colleges, community centers, schools, and other organizations.
Our standard in-person formats are described below. We can also work with you to customize a workshop or presentation to meet your organization's needs, including larger and/or all-gender groups.
Please note: all in-person workshops are on hold for the time being, but we'll gladly plan ahead with you - contact [email protected].
In the meantime: online workshops are now available!
All online workshops take place via Zoom, and are hosted by two instructors: one leads the workshop, and the other provides tech support. Follow the link above for more information.
Our standard in-person formats are described below. We can also work with you to customize a workshop or presentation to meet your organization's needs, including larger and/or all-gender groups.
Please note: all in-person workshops are on hold for the time being, but we'll gladly plan ahead with you - contact [email protected].
In the meantime: online workshops are now available!
All online workshops take place via Zoom, and are hosted by two instructors: one leads the workshop, and the other provides tech support. Follow the link above for more information.
Personal Safety Tools Workshops
The Personal Safety Tools (PST) workshops are an introduction to Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD), using discussion, activities, and exercises to raise participants' awareness of basic safety principles and tools. They build on what participants already know and emphasize the strengths they already have to expand their range of choices - not only in threatening situations, but in everyday life.
The Personal Safety Tools (PST) workshops are an introduction to Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD), using discussion, activities, and exercises to raise participants' awareness of basic safety principles and tools. They build on what participants already know and emphasize the strengths they already have to expand their range of choices - not only in threatening situations, but in everyday life.
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Duration: 1.5 hours
Fee: $500 Size: 8-20 participants* Ages: 12+ years old |
Description: Participants identify their concerns, and what they already do to address those concerns. We then explore several ESD principles - Confidence, Awareness, Assessment of Distance, Voice, Stance, and Physical Techniques - in order to add to their options, offering them an expanded toolbox of self-defense principles.
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Duration: 2 hours
Fee: $650 Size: 8-20 participants* Ages: 12+ years old |
Description: We incorporate all topics covered in the 1.5 hour PST workshop, and also address Bystander Intervention, with a focus on offering support to a target of boundary violation, affirming their choices and consent.
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All PST workshops are led by one instructor. The ideal space is large enough for every participant to stand with their arms extended in all directions, without touching the people closest to them. There's also a short video showing some of the techniques we teach in action, so internet access/projection capabilities is preferred.
*If you'd like more than 20 participants to attend one of these programs, please let us know - we'll gladly discuss potential accommodations!
*If you'd like more than 20 participants to attend one of these programs, please let us know - we'll gladly discuss potential accommodations!
Self-Defense Scenarios Workshops
The Self-Defense Scenarios (SDS) workshops give participants an opportunity to practice incorporating ESD principles into practical skills in realistic scenarios. These workshops feature interactions with an aggressor in full body armor, introducing participants to adrenaline management, and allowing them to practice boundary setting, striking and kicking with full force, and getting to safety, just as they would need to do in an actual physical attack.
The Self-Defense Scenarios (SDS) workshops give participants an opportunity to practice incorporating ESD principles into practical skills in realistic scenarios. These workshops feature interactions with an aggressor in full body armor, introducing participants to adrenaline management, and allowing them to practice boundary setting, striking and kicking with full force, and getting to safety, just as they would need to do in an actual physical attack.
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Duration: 3 hours
Fee: $1,250 Size: 8-15 participants Age: 12+ years old |
Description: We touch on all topics covered in the 1.5 hour PST workshop. Participants also practice:
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Duration: 5 hours
Fee: $2,000 Size: 8-15 participants Age: 12+ years old |
Description: We incorporate all topics covered in the 3 hour SDS workshop, with more repetition. Participants also practice:
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All SDS workshops are led by two instructors: within the scenarios, one is a personal coach and the other plays the role of aggressor. The ideal space is a minimum of 15 feet x 20 feet. We bring our own mats. Participants must complete a liability form (under 18 requires parent/guardian consent).
The SDS workshops are an excellent sequel to the PST workshops, and can also stand alone. In addition, they're a "taster" for our multi-day Core Program, during which participants internalize adrenaline management, acquire additional self-defense tools, and repeatedly use their skills to assess danger, set boundaries, and respond effectively to verbal and physical attacks.
The SDS workshops are an excellent sequel to the PST workshops, and can also stand alone. In addition, they're a "taster" for our multi-day Core Program, during which participants internalize adrenaline management, acquire additional self-defense tools, and repeatedly use their skills to assess danger, set boundaries, and respond effectively to verbal and physical attacks.
Multi-Day Programs
We will gladly work with you to offer one of our longer programs: IMPACT for Girls (8 hours), Core Skills (12 hours), or the Core Program (22 hours). Ideally, there are a minimum of 8 / maximum of 15 participants in these programs. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
We will gladly work with you to offer one of our longer programs: IMPACT for Girls (8 hours), Core Skills (12 hours), or the Core Program (22 hours). Ideally, there are a minimum of 8 / maximum of 15 participants in these programs. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
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Workshop Cancellation Policy
IMPACT Chicago must be notified in writing of all cancellations. If the cancellation occurs 7 or more days prior to the scheduled workshop, a full refund will be issued. If the cancellation occurs from 6 days to 1 day prior to the scheduled workshop, 50% of the fee will be refunded (IMPACT Chicago retains the balance to cover administrative costs). If the cancellation occurs within 24 hours of the workshop, IMPACT Chicago retains payment in full. |
Workshop Travel Policy
When IMPACT Chicago instructors need to travel more than 25 miles round trip to a workshop, and/or need to spend multiple days at a workshop location, limitations as to workshop length and/or additional charges may apply. These details will be addressed as part of the booking process. |
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Past Workshops
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Apna Ghar
Au Pair in America Birthways Inc. Boston Consulting Career Builder CDW Center on Halsted Child and Family Connections Christopher House Delta Gamma Pi Demand Media Deborah's Place Deerfield High School De Paul University |
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Feminist Collective Fleet Feet GirlForward Girls Rock! Hadley Junior High Harold Washington Library HealthScape Advisors Howard Brown Health Center ICC Cultural Illinois Institute of Technology Ingredion Inc. John Marshall Law Loyola School of Social Work |
Matteson Public Library
Oprah Magazine Planned Parenthood Project NIA RSNA SAIC SEIU Healthcare SGA Youth and Family Services Teen Living Twitter Women Tula Yoga York High School YWCA USA |