Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center, NFP

Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center, NFP Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center Address: 1220 W. Belmont Ave. Chicago, IL 60657 Phone: (773) 472-7663

Thousand Waves: Fostering Fitness, Healing, Empowerment and Peacemaking

Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. Like any skill, it grows through practice. Every time you set a boundary, u...
08/25/2026

Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. Like any skill, it grows through practice. Every time you set a boundary, use your voice, trust your instincts, or learn something new, you’re building confidence.

Learn more about Empowerment Self-Defense and the programs at Thousand Waves at thousandwaves.org/self-defense. We are offering 3-hour and 12-hour workshops this summer.

Too often, violence prevention focuses on limiting where people go, what they wear, or what they do. Real prevention exp...
08/19/2026

Too often, violence prevention focuses on limiting where people go, what they wear, or what they do. Real prevention expands freedom. It gives people information, skills, support, and choices while placing responsibility where it belongs: on those who commit violence.

Learn more about Empowerment Self-Defense and the programs at Thousand Waves at thousandwaves.org/self-defense. We are offering 3-hour and 12-hour workshops this summer.

We had an great time celebrating Seido Karate’s 50th anniversary at Zen Shin! Kicked off the festivities on Thursday wit...
08/12/2026

We had an great time celebrating Seido Karate’s 50th anniversary at Zen Shin!

Kicked off the festivities on Thursday with senior black belt testing (congratulations to Jun Shihan Tom, Kyoshi Aileen, and Kyoshi Ryan!) Then went to Kinesco Dam for some great training and a fun welcome dinner Friday night!

On Saturday we had several students compete (and place!) in Kata, Sparring, and Power Breaking, as well as volunteer as judges, timekeepers, and everything in between.

Then Sunday we watched contact sparring, and some great performances from our fellow Seido Dojos! We attended some very special workshops over the next couple days, and are now on our way back to Chicago.

Osu to all our Seido training mates, we had an amazing time learning and celebrating with everyone! Thank you to Nidaime and the Zen Shin planning committees, we are grateful for all your hard work!

Research shows that empowerment self-defense programs can reduce the likelihood of sexual assault and increase confidenc...
08/12/2026

Research shows that empowerment self-defense programs can reduce the likelihood of sexual assault and increase confidence, assertiveness, and help-seeking behaviors. Prevention isn’t just about avoiding danger—it’s about building skills and expanding choices.

Learn more about Empowerment Self-Defense and the programs at Thousand Waves at thousandwaves.org/self-defense. We are offering 3-hour and 12-hour workshops this summer.

Sources: Senn et al., 2015; Orchowski et al., 2018.

Some photos from our conference Weaving Strength with the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation! Our thanks to the in...
08/07/2026

Some photos from our conference Weaving Strength with the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation!

Our thanks to the incredible instructors for sharing their knowledge, and our amazing attendees for a great weekend full of learning, community, and celebration!

Special thank you to Shuseki Shihan Nancy, Sensei Pat, Sensei Ryan, Senpai Zoe, and everyone on the planning committee who made the conference possible.

Osu!

I’m still carrying the energy of the Weaving Strength Regional Conference in Chicago.It was a joy to be in community wit...
08/07/2026

I’m still carrying the energy of the Weaving Strength Regional Conference in Chicago.
It was a joy to be in community with martial artists, expert empowerment self-defense instructors, and healing arts practitioners committed to building a world where everyone knows they are worth defending.
I was honored to join the opening panel, Putting Our Practice to Work, and to lead a session on the criminalization of women and other marginalized people who defend themselves. Again and again, I was reminded that self-defense is a practice of self-worth, solidarity, and collective power.
Deep gratitude to NWMAF, Thousand Waves, Nancy Lanoue, Pat Broughton, Ryan Libel and everyone who made this extraordinary gathering possible including our Executive Director Ellen Krause-Grosman who deepens our connection to our ESD Sisters. This is the Bonobo Sisterhood in action.

National Women's Martial Arts Federation

Globally, approximately 1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most often from someone t...
08/05/2026

Globally, approximately 1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most often from someone they know. This is one of the most widespread human rights issues in the world today.

At Thousand Waves, we believe everyone deserves skills, support, and options.
Learn more about Empowerment Self-Defense and the programs at Thousand Waves at thousandwaves.org/self-defense. We are offering 3-hour and 12-hour workshops this summer.

Source: UN Women, “Facts and Figures: Ending Violence Against Women.”

People experience violence because someone chose to harm them—not because they made a mistake, wore the wrong thing, tru...
07/22/2026

People experience violence because someone chose to harm them—not because they made a mistake, wore the wrong thing, trusted the wrong person, or failed to take the “right” precautions.

Violence is always the responsibility of the person who causes it. 

Learn more about Empowerment Self-Defense and the programs at Thousand Waves at thousandwaves.org/self-defense. We are offering 3-hour and 12-hour workshops this summer.

Every person deserves safety, respect, and care—including you. Self-defense starts with the belief that your needs, feel...
07/15/2026

Every person deserves safety, respect, and care—including you. Self-defense starts with the belief that your needs, feelings, and boundaries matter.

If you’d like to strengthen those skills, learn more about Empowerment Self-Defense and the programs at Thousand Waves at thousandwaves.org/self-defense. We are offering 3-hour and 12-hour workshops this summer.

Many self-defense situations begin long before physical danger appears. Knowing your limits, communicating them clearly,...
07/08/2026

Many self-defense situations begin long before physical danger appears. Knowing your limits, communicating them clearly, and responding when they aren’t respected are powerful self-defense skills.

Learn more about Empowerment Self-Defense and the programs at Thousand Waves at thousandwaves.org/self-defense. We are offering 3-hour and 12-hour workshops this summer.

Address

1220 W Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL
60657

Telephone

(773) 472-7663

Website

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