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Self-Actualization thru Women's Empowerment Program
Our Philosophy
What sets this program apart from most other "women's self-defense programs" is that we believe that to create lasting and applicable change we must address the whole of the person. Most programs or systems focus on teaching their students physical self-defense techniques and having the student memorize the movement. Some may even add physical conditioning and assailant attack simulations. These programs can help many women feel more independent and self-reliant in a potential assault situation. We applaud the efforts of all these organizations, but we feel that most of these programs don't focus enough time on the important roles that our daily mindset and decision making play in our response conditioning.
We believe that the decisions made moment to moment are mini-training-sessions for the types of decisions we will make in a crisis. Our program engages the four major components of the self with fun, inspiring and challenging exercises to help each of us to understand our unique subconscious tendencies. In understanding ourselves better we are able to find new and better ways to solve problems.
Each time we say "no" to something that we were afraid to address before or reinforce our personal space and boundaries we are doing "mini self-defense" exercises. Each time we move our bodies in a new way we are not just physically expanding, but mentally and emotionally expanding as well. Each time we take a moment to find our center and quiet our thoughts we have the opportunity to ground and renew ourselves.
Our program honors the innate wisdom and power born of the feminine. We strive to create space for each woman to realize that she is more powerful, courageous and wise than she had known.
Learn More
Aurora's Self-Actualization thru Women’s Empowerment is a unique women’s self-defense program that views the mind, body, emotions and spirit as equally important components to develop for personal growth and physical safety. Thank you for visiting our site and for honoring the feminine.
Integration is key
Spiritual Body
Mind/Intellectual Body
Spiritual Body
Making time to feed the spirit is as important as taking time to feed the body. We encourage you to incorporate rituals that feed your spirit on a daily basis. We give you tools to help you create the needed space to find your center and feed your spirit. Meditation is wonderful but we need not close our eyes to do so; Nature has the powe
Making time to feed the spirit is as important as taking time to feed the body. We encourage you to incorporate rituals that feed your spirit on a daily basis. We give you tools to help you create the needed space to find your center and feed your spirit. Meditation is wonderful but we need not close our eyes to do so; Nature has the power to sooth and heal us. Watering the grass, walking amongst trees or listening to water falling can be simple daily mediations.
“Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground. Let their spirit ignite a fire within you to leave this world better than when you found it…” ~ Wilferd PetersonPhysical Body
Mind/Intellectual Body
Spiritual Body
We incorporate strengthening and lengthening exercises in our warmups as well as develop power through impact and resistance training. Our self-defense techniques are practical and easily implemented. We train the body's timing and accuracy through drills that encourage muscle memory, making it easier to remember each technique in a "hi
We incorporate strengthening and lengthening exercises in our warmups as well as develop power through impact and resistance training. Our self-defense techniques are practical and easily implemented. We train the body's timing and accuracy through drills that encourage muscle memory, making it easier to remember each technique in a "high-adrinalin" situation.
“An effective human being is a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.” ~ Ida P. Rolf, Ph. D.
Emotional Body
Mind/Intellectual Body
Mind/Intellectual Body
Our subconscious mind directs our reactions and emotions. In most Western-societies we spend little to no time working with our subconscious. This creates, for many women, a constant state of stress and inner-conflict. Many of us only make time for ourselves after everything else is taken care of. But this kind of emotional response deple
Our subconscious mind directs our reactions and emotions. In most Western-societies we spend little to no time working with our subconscious. This creates, for many women, a constant state of stress and inner-conflict. Many of us only make time for ourselves after everything else is taken care of. But this kind of emotional response depletes us over time. It makes us feel tired, overwhelmed, apathetic or reactive. Our group "campfire" and journal lessons help us to let go of unrealistic expectations and embrace what really drives our hearts.
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart”
~ Helen Keller
Mind/Intellectual Body
Mind/Intellectual Body
Mind/Intellectual Body
Our thoughts are powerful and effect our moment to moment decisions. They can be our greatest allies or our most formidable enemies. Through our group work, journal work and homework, participants are given lessons to help silence the negative chatter and encourage peace, balance and positivity.
"The future belongs to those that believe in the beauty of their dreams"
~ Eleanor Roosevelt
More about Aurora's Self-actualization thru women's empowerm
About Aurora's Self-Actualization thru Women's Empowerment
Aurora's Women’s Empowerment est. in 1992, is a women’s self-defense program that views the mind, body, emotions and spirit as equally important components in personal growth and safety. Workshops have been taught at colleges, sororities, on local cable, health care companies, women’s groups, city councils and to battered women at the Maravilla Housing Project in East L.A. and the Carmelitos Housing Project in Long Beach. Her Woman’s Empowerment program has provided a place for women of all walks of life to come and rediscover their dreams and personal power.
About Aurora
Aurora is the founder of In the Flow Studios, Self-actualization thru Women's Empowerment, owner of Mana Keepers', Dewdrops Images, and creative director of ITFS Performing Arts.
She is the author of Broken Yet Indestructible, Dewdrops of Inspiration, Arco Iris del Ser, a contributing author to Miracles One at a Time and contributing poet to Complex Allegiances Immigrant Stories. A career and personal highlight was being interviewed by Dr. Maya Angelou on Oprah Radio regarding her poetry and the immigrant experience.
The body/mind/spirit connection has always fascinated her. She has spent over 30 years as a martial arts practitioner and teacher, working with young children as well as adults and receiving the rank of 3rd degree Black Belt. She has spent the past 25 years studying, researching and practicing Reiki, Pilates, Structural Integration, proprioception and meditation.
Aurora is a certified Reiki Master Teacher under the Reiki system developed by Dr. Mikao Usui Sensei 1865 - 1926. She is an active student of Self Identity Through Ho'oponopono. (SITH is an updated Hawaiian problem solving process. SITH was developed by Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona, a Hawaiian Kahuna Lapa'au that was recognized by the State of Hawaii as a Living Treasure in 1983) Aurora also studies the tribal/indigenous teachings of The Americas, The West Indies, Australia, Polynesia, Tibet and Africa.
As a certified Pilates instructor she has also trained in movement therapy, proprioception and core stability. She teaches her own style of body conditioning/movement called In the Flow Proprio.
She hosts workshops and classes on a variety of subjects. Her most popular are: Energetic Meditation Group, Women's Empowerment Series, Vision Book Workshop, Chakra & Stones Workshop, and In the Flow Proprio.
Aurora is committed to doing her part to help her community and to give back. She organizes and hosts free arts open houses, performing arts open mic nights, poetry circles, music jam sessions and meditation circles.
She was honored to be chosen for the California Police Athletic Volunteer of the year in 1993 for her work with high-risk youths. She also organizes and hosts fundraisers for charities and nonprofits. Her most successful to date was One Love ~ Women of the D.R. Congo for Women for Women Int.
Aurora is an advocate for child safety and health as well as women's rights. She has made numerous television and public appearances as a spokes person for Children's Miracle Network and Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
She has appeared on Spanish television as a special guest sharing information on topics like: Child Development and Movement, The Power of the Spoken Word, and Women using the martial arts to find their personal power. A Cuban born American, she is bilingual and offers all of her courses in both English and Spanish.