05/25/2026
Thank you for the kind words!! We are so proud of every participant!
As a retired ballet dancer, a social worker, and someone whose nervous system is usually happiest knitting or scuba diving, walking into a women’s self defence course felt very outside my comfort zone.
Part of why I wanted to attend came from lived experience with domestic and family violence. I knew there was value in learning these skills, but I was also genuinely unsure how my body and mind would react being in that environment. That fear almost stopped me from going. The fact that it was a fundraiser for and was honestly what motivated me.
What I found instead was a space that felt grounded, respectful, and unexpectedly zen. There was no ego in the room. Just women learning, laughing, supporting each other, and building confidence together.
… all while watching our hair become a hot mess.
The session itself was informative, empowering, and honestly kind of exciting.
Beyond the techniques, there was something incredibly meaningful about creating muscle memory in a safe environment… learning how to move through fear instead of freeze inside it. I can absolutely understand now why people fall in love with jiujitsu.
And Kassia… what an incredible instructor. A brilliant smoke show and a complete ass kicker, but also deeply attuned to the energy in the room. She created an atmosphere that felt safe enough for women to challenge themselves while still honouring whatever experiences they brought in with them.
I am really grateful I attended, and I am committed to helping grow the number of women who come next year. More women deserve access to spaces that help them reconnect with strength, confidence, and trust in themselves.
Thank you .jiujitsu and for donating your time, space, and expertise.
