Culture of Safety Dojo & Wellness Center

Culture of Safety is a woman/non-binary and queer-led small business in the neighborhood of Rogers Park in Chicago that offers ongoing karate and short-term self-defense classes as well as Shiatsu Bodywork. We’re proud to be a provider of empowerment-based self-defense, as well as the Chicago branch of Jin Sei Ryu Karate-Do International.   

Culture of Safety is led by Amy and Kyren.  Both of us are black belts.  Amy is a social worker, and Kyren is a licensed massage therapist has spent decades studying and practicing mindfulness and meditation.  We look forward to meeting you and working with you to create a Culture of Safety.

 

 

Karate Classes

Our karate classes teach Jin Sei Ryu Karate-Do™, a style of karate for the 21st century.  “Jin Sei Ryu” means ‘profound reflections for growth,’ and our students develop their minds and spirits while developing their bodies.  As with our self-defense classes, we teach through an empowerment lens, and work hard to be trauma-aware and welcoming to everyone.  Our karate is for every body, because we believe that every body can — and deserves to — get stronger, more coordinated, and more confident.  Read more about our karate classes!

 

Self-Defense Classes

Young Adult Self-Defense Students Demonstrate Their StrengthTo us, self-defense means anything you do or say that helps you feel and be safer, stronger, and more self-confident.  Our empowerment self-defense classes include physical skills and interpersonal skills that help people notice warning signs and prevent (when possible) and defend (if necessary) themselves from both physical and emotional violence.   Our trainings are organized around the three pillars of body, voice, and mind.  “Body” includes body language & posture as well as physical resistance techniques (‘fighting back’). “Voice” includes using our communication skills to assert our needs, get help, calm down a volatile situation, and tell our stories. It also means noticing when other people are communicating to us that they may harm us.  “Mind” includes information about the realities of violence, mental strategies to enhance our safety,  and meditation strategies to find peace and foster resilience.  We work with our participants to help them create cultures of safety, strength, and mutual respect in their schools, workplaces, and communities.   Read more about our empowerment self-defense classes!

Shiatsu Massage Bodywork

We offer both Zen Shiatsu Massage by appointment in our beautiful and peaceful treatment room. Shiatsu Massage is highly effective for promoting relaxation and managing stress. Shiatsu works on the deeper levels of our body, including fascia and our nervous system, supporting the body through stress-based injuries and illnesses including chronic pain, digestive difficulties, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety & depression. By allowing our nervous system to reset, shiatsu supports the body in its natural healing process. Learn more here

 

 

 

 

For inquiries, use the contact form below.