Labels: Date rape, ninja, rape, safety, self defense, To-Shin Do

The Boulder Quest Center is pleased to announced micro-donations for scholarships! While we are working on a 501(c)3 partnership for large donations, we have decided to use www.madpropits.com for micro-donations. On our homepage, click "Give Props" and you can contribute to our scholarship fund. 100% of money earned through www.madpropits.com Boulder Quest's account will go to our scholarships. Currently, we have about 5 students being subsidized on scholarship and with your support we could do more. Set-up your account today!

Labels: Give Props, micro-donation, Propits, Props, scholarship

Congratulations to Boulder Quest Center red-white belt and City Councilwoman, Angelique Espinoza, for being named "Woman of the Year" by the Boulder Business and Professional Women (BPW).

From the BPW news release:
The 2009 Celebration of Women Event gives Boulder BPW the honor of recognizing the women who serve our community by supporting and inspiring others to promote BPW’s mission politically, professionally and personally. The honorees chosen by this year’s committee encapsulate the level of participation, equity and economic self-sufficiency for working women we hope to advocate for all women in the future. These women are the “super heroines” of our time!

Woman of the Year – Angelique Espinoza A long-time Boulder resident and CU alumna, mother, small business owner, community leader and volunteer, Angelique Espinoza is “walking the walk” through her intimate involvement in the political landscape to instigate change, accountability and responsibility in our city government. A former Boulder BPW Board Member for three years, Angelique has been a true advocate of women’s issues. She faithfully honored her commitment to produce the monthly newsletter, despite being in the middle of her own campaign. Her courageous leap into politics as a City of Boulder Council Member is an inspiration to all.
--end quote--

Please join me in congratulating Angelique on this major honor!

Labels: Angelique Espinoza, award

Every martial artist struggles with graceful transitions. Whether we're discussing the transfer of weight between feet or the shift from student to Coach, everyone struggles to maximize grace and minimize awkwardness. Yet the awkwardness holds for us the greatest moments of revelation. Too often, I watch students trying to rush through the awkwardness, pretend it's not there, or make it insignificant to the final result. Despite any negativity about our own shortcomings, we should instead embrace them. Our awkwardness is to be celebrated!

Every day offers opportunities to witness our awkwardness. Did you have a awkward phone call that you know could have gone better? Did you snap at someone who was trying to help but you weren't ready for that help? Did you try to execute a forward throw, only to fall down when you got the results your tried to create?

Awesome! Truly this is a process, a revelationary moment to be viewed with amazement at the depth and complexity of a single moment. This is also a perfect moment for true connection with someone if you can gracefully own your part in the awkwardness, people will gravitate to your authenticity, rather than be intimidated by your attempt at perfection.

My advice for martial artists or anyone looking to improve themselves: Get off the Busy Bus. Too often the mantra of "I'm so busy" has become the answer to the question "How are you?" Stop it. Slow down and watch what you are doing. Some of my biggest breakthroughs have come from slowing down long enough to see what mistake I am making. "Stop, stop. Stay back. And give your brain room to breathe".

Labels: awkward, self improvement, slow down