Warrior Women's Self-Defense
Join Dan Fox, Elliott Spina and Karen Suzuki for a practical and empowering self-defense experience designed specifically for women.
This workshop is focused on practical self-defense for women who want to feel strong, ready, and sure of themselves. Wing Chun specialist Sifu Karen Suzuki will lead you through techniques built for real situations, along with applied Wing Chun drills that train your speed, structure, and reflexes.
Karen has trained in Wing Chun for nearly 30 years and holds a Level 10 Gold Sash. She brings deep skill and grounded warmth to the mat, and her work as a filmmaker and facilitator has long focused on empowerment and women's safety. Dan Fox and Elliot will support her by running partner drill stations, so you'll get plenty of hands-on reps and personal feedback.
Expect to sweat, laugh, and leave knowing you can handle yourself.
What you'll gain:
Practical self-defense techniques you can rely on when it counts
Applied Wing Chun skills: stance, centerline, blocks, and strikes
Hands-on partner drills with coaching at every station
Faster reactions and sharper awareness of your surroundings
The confidence to hold your ground and act decisively
A strong, supportive group of women training alongside you
Who it's for:
Women who want real, usable self-defense skills
Complete beginners. No martial arts or fitness experience needed
Experienced movers looking to sharpen their skills or try Wing Chun
Anyone who has ever frozen, felt overpowered, or doubted they could respond, and is ready to feel different
Anyone who wants a challenging, empowering workout with purpose
Instructors:
Sifu Karen Suzuki (she/her):
Karen was lucky to find Wing Chun Kung Fu in the mid 1990s, and it has been a part of her life ever since. She earned her Level 10 Gold Sash from Sifu Phillip Redmond in 2023 as a proud student of Sifu Ryan Kennedy. Her devotion to Wing Chun and her kung fu community has evolved as she has, through motherhood, aging and everything else life throws at her. A lifelong learner, she revels in discovering and exploring connections through movement, art and community as well as sharing her knowledge.
Sifu Suzuki is also a filmmaker, project manager and facilitator. Karen’s work explores themes of empowerment, feminism and social justice with projects such as Everybody Wing Chun Tonight, Warrior Women and A PATH to Safety.
@suzukiwoman
Dan Fox:
Instructor at Fighting Arts Collective with over a decade of experience in Muay Thai, No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu, and Boxing, focused on pressure-testing skills in safe environments. Dan hosts Fight Fridays at Fighting Arts Collective where beginners and advanced martial artists can pressure test their skill sets in a safe and supportive environment.
Dan also blends his martial arts training with years of stagecraft as an actor, drawing on Meisner, Alexander Technique, and Feldenkrais. As an empowerment coach, he helps people come fully alive in their bodies, voices, and emotional worlds, and stay present under pressure.
Dan's work is informed by over a decade of experience with plant medicines, the teachings of Carlos Castaneda as well as the Sufi tradition.
@danfoxcoaching
Elliott Spina:
Holistic Health Coach, biohacker, and Shotokan Karate black belt, integrating physical training with personal development and self-inquiry.
@omlicious_
***Light refreshments will be provided by Gracious Goods.
Location:
Fighting Arts Collective:
846 College St. (Just West of Ossington)
All experience levels welcome. No prior training required.
***This will be an off-site event hosted by Pluto:
About Pluto:
Pluto is a Fourth Space for creative, conscious humans building the future - together. It's part coworking studio, part event venue, part community where wellness, entrepreneurship, art and connection collide. You'll feel it when you walk in.
www.enterpluto.com