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Strategic Living's News & Views
Winter 2013
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And, for those of you who've taken my classes, review me on Yelp. |
 Dear ,
Lilith, my cat companion of almost 19 years, moved onto her next life last month. Her mission was to explore strange new tablecloths, to seek out new crevices and closets, to boldly go where no cat had gone before. Mission accomplished!
Since she came to live with me at the age of 5 weeks, Lilith was a fearless and headstrong explorer. No open door, cupboard, or drawer was off limits, as far as she was concerned. We almost squished her several times moving appliances, not realizing she'd slipped behind into the newly-empty space. She was demanding in getting lap time and pettings. For a while I had to pet her tummy for at least 15 minutes before I would be "permitted" to do my morning yoga. Even then, she felt entitled to play with my hair whenever I was in "downward dog." My clever cat of steel was featured in this blog post about a year and a half ago, and in this one a year ago. Lilith is sorely missed.
Last month I began a few revisions to my website's home page. The goal is to make it more informative and easier to navigate. I was working on my sub-heading, playing around with words for women finding their super powers of protection. I used the phrase "super shero." Sent the draft around to a couple of friends. One in particular disliked the phrase. She felt it too contrived and off-putting. So we were brainstorming alternatives. My friend came to this conclusion:
It's a crying shame there's such a paucity of terms for positive images of female power. Would be nice to have lots of choices from which to select the one with the perfect nuance.
If only the whole world knew who Lilith was. If a woman learned to project such presence, it would never occur to anyone to even think of messing with her. The only figure I can come up with who's maybe even a distant second is Elizabeth II, Queen of England.
I have to agree, there are few truly positive adjectives for powerful women.
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Most of us don't consider women when we think of powerful, intriguing, or even interesting people. Last week I taught a self-defense class for teen girls at a local high school. They paired up for an exercise, but first I asked them to introduce themselves to their partner and think of who they'd want to have dinner with tonight if they could pick ANY historic figure. Only two (of 12) picked women.
When you think about powerful people, who are they? Might you want to add a few more women to that roster? I know I will.
Sincerely, Joanne
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Website Updates
I am now adding more instructional pages to the Strategic Living website. No, we're not going to online learning quite yet. These pages will be useful mostly to those who have taken the classes and want some written details (as well as help remembering them).
The first page is Focus on Targets, and it is now live!
Upcoming pages will be on combining your strikes and targets into your 3+ combos, what you can do when you think you are being followed, and using pepper spray. These should go live in the next 2 or 3 months.
Do you have any topics you'd like to see online? Contact me. |
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Class Schedule
Winter 2013:
Self-Defense 101: A five week course that builds progressive skill and prepares you for life's unexpected (and unwanted) moments. To register for any of these classes, visit http://www.strategicliving.org/self-defense-101.php for links to each organization and class registration.
Five Monday evenings, 7:00 - 8:50 pm, at Seattle Central Community College. January 28 - March 4 (no class Feb 18 for Presidents' Day).
Five Tuesday evenings, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, through the UW Women's Center (class held at the Bryants Building on Boat Street). February 5 - March 5.
Five Saturday afternoons, 1:30 - 3:30 pm, at Bellevue College's North Campus. February 9 - March 16 (no class February 23).
Single Afternoon Seminars: This short self-defense basic class is offered in Seattle (usually on Sunday afternoons) on Feb 10, March 10, April 21, May, 12, and June 9. It will also be offered at North Kirkland Community Center on Saturday Jan 19. Short Seminar: Monday, January 21, 1:15 to 2:30, sponsored by Central Physical Therapy and Fitness, 1820 - 12th Ave, Ste 101, Seattle. Suggested donation: $10-30 to benefit Girls on the Run Puget Sound. Phone 206-860-3746 to register -- space is VERY limited.
For Teen Girls Only: Contact me to arrange your own group class.
Weekend Workshop through the UW Experimental College will be held Friday Feb 1, Sat Feb 2, and Sun Feb 3. Visit http://www.StrategicLiving.org/weekend-workshops.php for more info and links to registration.
Self-defense skills are like CPR, you should review and practice them annually.
If you've already taken a class and want to keep it fresh, Strategic Living offers a 50% discount on select classes. And, if you refer your friends to a Strategic Living class and they sign up, I will donate $25 to one of three awesome organizations for women and girls. Visit my Paying It Forward page for details. Do you work with a non-profit or community organization that holds silent  auctions? Ask me to donate a gift certificate for a private 1.5 hour seminar. Do you work with a non-profit or community organization whose staff/volunteers/members/clients would benefit from a safety skills seminar? Visit http://www.StrategicLiving.org/donated-class.php for information on requesting partly subsidized training sessions. Hazelruth A, who works with teen girls in foster care, said this about the session she arranged: "Strategic Living graciously donated class time to come to last month's event and it was amazing! Joanne did a wonderful job talking about tough issues in a way that was both approachable and fun. The girls had a great time and learned a lot! The donated class allowed the girls we work with to learn self-defense techniques and prevention skills--skills that will help them not only now but into their adult lives. I am incredibly thankful to Strategic Living since without the donated class the girls would not have had this wonderful and empowering opportunity.
"I think it is especially important for young women to have the know-how and the confidence to stand up for themselves in bad situations. The Strategic Living self-defense class helped give the young women in our program the skills and confidence to do just that. "
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Contact Information
phone: 206.202.0748
jifactor@StrategicLiving.org
You can look me up on LinkedIn, or follow my tweets on Twitter.
Or become a Facebook Fan on Strategic Living's Page.
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