Bridging the gap between the timeless wisdom of the East and the fresh pragmatism of the West, To-Shin Do explores the fullness of human potential in the physical, mental, and spiritual realms. The Boulder Quest Center focuses on the To-Shin Do martial technologies that will allow you to evolve into a tatsujin-a fully actualized human operating effectively in all areas of life. We specialize in "the art of winning."

Level 1: Fundamentals of Self Protection

Experience how to win in the 12 assault types most likely to occur in a dangerous confrontation, practice how to rescue others in those 12 threat situations, learn 12 natural body self-defense tools, and develop the grounded presence of focused command in high-pressure situations.

Level 2: Advanced Self Protection

Build your skills in success-generating principles of personal confidence, ability to recognize potential danger as it builds, and capability to respond effectively under pressure as you explore a further set of 24 advanced applications of winning skill and strategy to develop the eyes and mind to recognize danger as it builds so you can be in just the right place at just the right moment to control the fight on your terms.

Level 3: Path of the Protector

Your training evolves into a personal exploration of power, a path of self-discovery. This level of skill and confidence evolves as you explore a final set of 24 advanced applications in the course leading to Black Belt in To-Shin Do®. You know you are living up to your fullest potential, the “exciting peace” of coming home to the truth of just how strong you really are.

Level 4: Black Belt Mastery

Learning doesn’t stop with earning a Black Belt - that’s where highest mastery begins! You personalize your training for a winning spirit in all of life’s challenges. Advanced skills you develop include how to use less effort to generate more speed and power, how to respond with grace and intelligence when confronted with brutality and ignorance, how to rescue and protect others, and how to deal with multiple attackers, assailants with weapons, or aggressors skilled in street-fighting or other martial arts.

For young individuals who are still forming their core personality and habits, it is essential to offer training in a powerful environment that cultivates positive personality attributes and inter-personal skills. This environment is created through...

Studies indicate that lessons of personality development are most easily accessible to youth in the context of play. At the Quest Center, the youth have the opportunity to experiment with body movement and gymnastics, while learning valuable social skills and habits. The activity has a playful feel that engages the natural learning mind.

For more information on the history and lineage of To-Shin Do, please visit http://www.skhquest.com

The Ninja Mind is the mindset that perceives things from the perspective of a ninja.

The historical ninja of Japan were known for their unconventional perspectives, perspectives that freed them to perceive possibilities that their enemies could scarcely imagine.

It’s not easy to develop an unconventional perspective – that’s why it’s unconventional. The ninja trained their minds and hearts in order to perceive the world differently. They studied Japanese shamanism, Buddhism, Taoist theory, and of course the warrior ways of Japan. They also studied politics, economics, history, and art. Then they took all this knowledge and went out into the world, observing the way of things and how history unfolds. Over time, this allowed them to develop a view bigger than an ordinary person.

Unconventional perspectives are not the same as countercultural or unpopular perspectives. While the ninja could certainly entertain countercultural or unpopular thoughts if it helped them to do so, the kneejerk tendency toward contrarianism is just as limited as blind conformity. Contrarianism and conformity both suffer by being trapped in a view, unable to seriously consider alternatives.

The Ninja Mind constantly asks, “What if things are not as they appear to be?” The Ninja Mind actively looks for clues pointing to a greater reality, asking why things appear as they do. Some of the hardest things to question are the things which are most obvious and seemingly unchanging in our lives – it is obvious, for example, that the sky is blue. However, if we ask “Why is the sky blue? Does it always have to be so?” we are led to a deeper understanding of both color and the nature of the sky.

This is a simple example that helps to explain the ninja mindset. The real questions are such things as “Why do the obstacles in my life exist? What created them? What sustains them?” In questioning, the ninja comes to understand obstacles in an unconventional way, and from there, creative and skillful solutions can be formed.

Kevin Ji-Keitoshi Casey leads the experiential meditation program at the Boulder Quest Center, as a Disciple of Blue Lotus Assembly Director  Stephen K. Hayes.  The Blue Lotus Assembly is an American Buddhist order seeking to enhance the human experience through meditation and contemplation, drawing on strong roots in Japanese Tendai and Tibetan vajrayana Buddhism.  Training in traditional Buddhist meditation, thought, and practice is also offered on special occassions or by request.  For more information of the history and lineage of our order, please visit http://www.bluelotusassembly.org

                               

Cardio kickboxing classes are a 45 minute, high-intensity workout using standing heavy bags. Quest Cardio utilizes scientific principles of exercise physiology to provide maximum benefits in the shortest time. Quest Cardio offers a high-spirited and energetic workout using basic self-defense techniques. The class emphasizes the natural whole-body movement method associated with several martial arts, including To-Shin Do.

To begin your journey to improved physical health and wellness, wear comfortable clothing and socks (or non-marking shoes). You may also wish to wear hand-wraps or bag gloves (available in our retail store). The class is offered Mondays and Thursdays at 6 pm. You can accomplish your goal!

Cardio Sword classes are a 45 minute, high-intensity workout using a wooden sword against standing heavy bags to amplify the upper body workout and feel the power of channeled energy. This award-winning program, named "the most unique workout of 2008" by the Daily Camera, was designed by Mary Aitoshi Casey based on her years of experience in exercise instruction and combat sword training.

To have your first taste of wielding the wooden sword, wear comfortable clothing and socks (or non-marking shoes). You may borrow a sword to try the class.  Cardio Sword is offered on Saturdays at 11:45 am.

The Boulder Quest Center bellydancing teacher, Jennifer Secrist Goran, is known as one of the most talented and precise bellydance instructors in Colorado, if not the whole United States. We are lucky to have her here in Boulder!  Level 1 Bellydancing classes start at 6 pm on Tuesday evenings. To try out your first class, wear any fitted top, pants or skirt that allow a full range of movement and socks (or non-marking shoes). Unleash your inner beauty!

This class covers the fundamentals of tribal style steps, foot and arm placement, posture, simple zil patterns and the mechanics of each movement. Although this class is suitable for the new student, it is also beneficial for the more advanced student to review, refine and "polish" their ATS movement technique. Movements are repeated every 20 weeks or so. There is no official start or stop to the sessions. You may begin taking this class at any point during our curriculum as each week we break down the movements from the ground up. Prerequisite: there is no prerequisite to start taking Tribal Techniques.

Dress for class: Any fitted top and pants or skirt that provides full range of movement. Hip scarves, jeweled or tassel belts are optional. Please wear socks or dance shoes. You will eventually need a pair of zils (finger cymbals).

Building on steps covered in Tribal Techniques, Level 1, emphasis for this class will be on gaining leading and following skills for improvisational group dancing thru development of cues, transitions and fundamental formations. Prerequisite: One full session (20 weeks) of Level 1 before attending this class.

Dress for class: A choli top is preferred along with any pants or skirt that provides full range of movement. Hip scarves, jeweled or tassel belts are optional. Please wear socks or dance shoes. You will need your own zils.

The Boulder Quest Center offers many services to the community in addition to our regular course schedule. Our highly trained instructors are available for one-time community events, ongoing onsite seminars, and in-house services.

• Birthday Parties
• Parents Night Out events
• Bully Awareness and Prevention strategies
• Private lessons
• Women’s Self Defense
• Girls Night Out
• Empowerment through Martial Arts
• Elemental Models for Personal Development
• Classical Japanese Weapons (Bo, Sword, Shuriken, Kusari Fundo, etc) and Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu
• Mind Science Meditation

Please contact Mary Aitoshi Casey for more information on these events. Price varies based on event type and location. We offer discounts for schools and non-profit organizations. Mrs. Casey can be reached at (303) 440-3647 or through the Contact page.