Classes/Support Groups/Activities

Amazing Assertiveness

Instructor - Carol Rewega

Find it hard to say NO? Feel resentful that people take advantage of you? Don’t seem able to get what you want? Keep things bottled up, then find yourself “exploding”? Feel that people don’t listen or take you seriously? If you answered “yes” to any of the above, then this is the course for you.

Join other women in a supportive environment to find out how to make positive changes in your life through being assertive.

Fun, informative and really helpful! (7 wks)

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Understanding Money

Tutor - Lisa Dudson

A two-hour workshop for women who want to learn about budgeting, revolving credit, KiwiSaver and any other money-related matters. Lisa Dudson of Acumen Financial Planning is passionate about sharing her knowledge on making the most out of your money. Bring your questions, pen and paper and get ready to be inspired.

Comments from previous participants:

"Frank, supportive atmosphere, felt ok about asking questions. Engaging and knowledgable presenter."

"Explained so much about financial stuff that I didn't realise." 

"Lisa spoke clearly and was very interesting. Good use of humour and stories to describe and explain."

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Girl's Self-Defence (7-12 years)

Tutor - Morgan Libeau

Give your daughter the opportunity to learn: to identify unsafe/safe people and situations, ways to resist unwanted/uncomfortable touch, how to use verbal and physical ways to deal with assault/abuse, how to say NO! in unsafe situations, remain calm, and tell a trusted adult.

A serious subject dealt with in a fun way for girls aged 7-12.

Comments from previous participants about what they liked:

"I loved the feeling that I used to be someone small and shy, but now I feel clever and strong and brave!  It was fun and I won't forget it! That's a promise".  D aged 12.

"I liked how we learned about a stranger approaches you...you know what to do and I liked how we did the punches and kicks. Self Defence  Rocks". J aged 12.

"The class was great. I learnt to punch and kick properly. I learnt it's my body. I learnt shouts, yells and blocks." H aged 9.

Comments from  parents/caregivers:  "Boosted self and other awareness. Improved self confidence. Thanks" "Confidence in her ability to deal with 'difficult situations' and more awareness that these exist! Enjoyed seeing her strong and powerful."  "(name) has experienced an increase in confidence subsequent to her first self defence course. In addition she takes more pleasure, satisfaction and interest in her own physical strength and prowess. A bit about Morgan Libeau: Morgan is a qualified Self Defence Tutor who has been teaching for many years. Initially she taught women and girls Self Defence but for some years has now concentrated only on the children's class. Morgan has written a number of books for children and young people on issues of sexual abuse, therapy and court preparation for child witness's. She believes that if information is given to children appropriately it will make them feel safe instead of scared, enabling higher self-esteem and confidence.

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Aroha Dance

Instructor - Rosanna Marks

A fusion of 2 ancient spiritual modalities designed to educate, deeply heal & free the feminine form. This practice will empower women in a safe and caring environment.
During this 4 week course you will learn ancient Tantric philosophy; essential knowledge on the 7 chakras, Mudra, breath work, movement, connection, how to view your body as a sacred space, body image, honouring and sisterhood. You will also learn beautiful & simple Bellydance routines & rituals that reflect each chakra, and the elements of earth, water, air and fire.

These classes are for every woman; any gender, age, size or shape who wish to learn the sacred, ancient secrets of feminine vitality, movement & expression.

Rosanna has been Bellydancing for over 11 years, enjoying dance as a form of self-expression & self-love. Bellydancing is her passion - a wonderful way to communicate earthy, feminine sensuality and to teach other women how to enjoy and appreciate this mysterious and alluring dance form for health, happiness & wellbeing. Rosanna focuses on the strong healing aspect of Bellydance & Tantra, and how the powerful combination assists to connect women to their own internal energy centres for vitality, empowerment and strength.

Aroha Dance – Each step we take brings empowerment, self-love & truth. (4 wks)

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Regenerative Yoga

Tutor - Simone Bonny

Open to all women, any age, health, size and physical capability.  Small classes taught in a friendly, relaxed environment with careful adaptation of postures to suit individual needs.  Realigning, eliminating stress, strengthening and rejuvenating.

With over 20 years teaching experience,  Simone guides in the correct use of breath, linked to simple postures and gentle flowing sequences.

If you have any serious health issues or injuries, please be sure to discuss these with Simone when booking.

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CV and Job Interview Skills

Tutor - Wendy Rowe

This workshop is aimed at helping women identify their transferable skills, produce a marketable CV, prepare for job interviews, and build their confidence to achieve their potential.

Whether you are re-entering the job market after years of putting your career on hold while attending to parenting and family needs or creating a CV for the first time , or if you just want to take the next step, this workshop could be very beneficial.

Comments from previous participants:

"Excellent prep and support stuff provided for us to take away. Extremely helpful."

"Motivating!"

"Fantastic tutor who genuinely wants to see women succeed."

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Get Knitting

Tutor Barbara Woodman

Come and learn to knit and create your own projects. Even if you have never tried knitting before, the teaching will start with the basic stitches, understanding how knitting works, following patterns and fixing mistakes and each week you will increase your skills. The class will be small so that you get the individual support as you need it. Barbara will offer suitable projects to work on or you can bring your own patterns or ideas. Enjoy the company of other learners and get inspired by the shared passion for making your own unique items. (6wks)

Barbara Woodman is a mutli talented tutor who is passionate about waste minimisation and creativity. She also runs upcycling workshops through her   social enterprise Warm Hearts Up-cycling, whose purpose is to minimise textile waste while helping local refugee women develop income and social connection.

Apologies, this class is now full. If you wish to be on the enrolment list for next year please click on the enrolment button below.

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Memoir Writing

Tutor - Maria de Jong

For some adults memoir writing can be a therapeutic experience that helps them to heal themselves psychologically. For some women it can be an empowering experience as it gives them the opportunity to tell their story. For others, it can be an enjoyable and reflective process, and an outlet for creativity. The course will provide intellectual stimulation and an opportunity to improve their writing and literacy skills. The aim is to empower women to find their voice, their own unique writing style and to encourage them to begin writing their memoir. Those writing their family histories will also find this course relevant.

Maria is the author of several biographies and family and business histories. She is passionate about preserving history for future generations, and has a special interest in Māori and Pacific Island History. Bring a notebook and your favourite pen. (7wks)

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Self Defence For Women

Tutor - Barb Wallis
Learning to defend yourself is empowering.  Join us for this practical workshop to learn mental, verbal and physical self defence in a supportive environment. Build on your existing skills or learn new ones.  For women of all ages. (½ day)

Comments from previous participants:

“I enjoyed getting to physically practice the things we learnt.”

“It was valuable learning vulnerable parts of the body and how to attack these areas of an attacker.”

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Self-defence for Teenage Girls

Stepping Out Self Defence Course run by Morgan Libeau

This one day workshop for girls 13-16 years is designed to increase confidence and enhance self-image.

Encouraging a heightened sense of themselves and their capabilities enables young women to step out into the world feeling positive and proud.

Aim of workshop:
To foster positive self-image
To encourage safe, sensible decision making
To reduce anxiety, fear and misinformation
To increase feelings of safety

Activities centre on:
Body pride
Verbal assertiveness
Physical techniques
Identifying and acting on feelings
Information on laws and rules
Decision making

Comments from previous participants:

“I enjoyed becoming more confident, strong and brave.”          

Questioning? and more...

Facilitators - Cissy Rock 

Would you like a supportive women's space to talk about same sex attraction?

This group is participant directed, a space to explore topics like:

• What does same sex attraction mean to you?
• Identity labels...e.g  Bi, Queer, Lesbian, Dyke
• Stereotypes and gender stereotypes
• Being in an opposite sex relationship and having same sex attraction
• Finding community and dating
• Being out in society
• If you want to come out, how to tell family, friends, work colleagues
• Sex with women
• Relationships with women
• You, your children and a new relationship

This group is facilitated by Cissy Rock.  Cissy is a prominent contributor to the Auckland Lesbian scene creating events and  support groups.  She enjoys getting alongside people and sharing her experience as a mother, feminist, lesbian, friend and partner.  

Come along, ask questions, share, this is a safe, non-judgemental environment. (7 weeks)

Comments from previous participants:

(i enjoyed) "Being able to connect with people and talk to people who were experiencing similar things to me.  Having experienced people to help us and cheer us on."

"Really enjoyed (it) and appreciated the professional delivery. Thanks! :-)" 

Apologies, this course has already begun and we are no longer taking enrolments for this year. If you are interested in next year's course please click on the enrol button below.

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Click here to view Central Leader Article 2014

Single Mums on Sunday

For single mums by single mums.  

This is a friendly and relaxed afternoon in a supportive and non-judgemental space for single mums with children under 5 years. Expand your informal support network. Lots of toys for the children to play with and often we have giveaways for families. 

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Rainbow Women's Social Night

All Queer, Lesbian, Bi, Takatāpui and Trans Women Welcome

Come and join Ellie at the Auckland Women’s Centre for an evening of DVDs or games.
 
Relax, chill, unwind and socialise… just rock on up, we’d love to see you. Bring your dinner if you would like to.
 
We alternate the nights, watching DVD's one month and playing Games the next month.

For more info or to be added to our  contact list for this group please email us or phone 376 3227 extn 1

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Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori : Beginners

Tutor - Hinerangi Tarawa, Ngāpuhi Nui Tonu

Learn correct pronunciation, karakia (prayer), waiata (song), mihimihi (formal greeting/introduction), various forms of greetings, useful phrases and sentences through participation and conversation. (8 weeks)

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