I joined The Dojo in the fall of 2021, when people were still wearing masks and in quarantine. When I walked into my first class at The Dojo I was quiet, shy, the only one my age, and way outside my comfort zone. When I left that day I knew I wanted to do this. I don’t think I have ever made a better or more important decision in my life. Traditionally, a black belt symbolizes a high level of knowledge and dedication to one's martial arts field. For me, this promotion is not only a symbol of how much I have learned here but of how much I have grown as a person from the beginning of this journey. The student creed states ‘I will grow my mind, body, and spirit,’ and I truly feel that I have.
When I look back on that version of myself and compare it with the me of today, I can honestly say this dojo has made me a better person. One of the hardest things I have had to learn is that you don’t get anywhere staying in your comfort zone. From that first class, The Dojo has pushed me to expand my horizons with each and every class, the instructors course this fall, as well as the people and community that helped me get
My Journey in Mind Body & Spirit
Riley Queenan
there, have taught me so many new skills and ideas that will stick with me forever and have grown and expanded my mind.
When I joined The Dojo as a kickboxer it was partly to learn self defense and partly to get a good workout. It has delivered above expectations in both. Kickboxing was the first time I had applied myself to athletics and it really helped shape the way I look at sports and exercise in general. It allowed me to make varsity cross country as a freshmen and work through injuries instead of giving up. Boot camp in particular has taught the true meaning of dedication and how to embrace the discomfort that comes with it. It has greatly improved my ability to endure not only in athletics but life in general. The work ethic expected here has set the framework for my dedication and effort level in everything I do. It has helped me grow my body not only here but anywhere I choose.
Not only has The Dojo helped me improve myself, it has also helped me get through numerous painful situations and is always able to lift my spirits. When I was struggling in seventh grade with toxic friends and endless drama, The Dojo helped me keep my voice when it felt like everything was trying to take it away. No matter how bad of a day I would have, or how much I just wanted to curl up in bed, coming to The Dojo was like a reset. I have never failed to leave without a smile on my face and a new perspective of whatever was bringing me down. My spirit always feels lighter and refreshed whenever I come here and that has bled into everything I do.
I have been at The Dojo for four years and it has helped me improve every aspect of myself, yet getting my black belt has often felt like an unreachable goal for so much of that time. For the last eight weeks, I have been working towards that goal and have learned more about myself and what I am capable of. What I have discovered is that no matter how hard an exercise or how tired I am, I am capable of anything as long as I put my full mind, body, and spirit into it.