If you happen across the Moab Arts and Recreation Center (MARC) on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 7, you may witness a group of men and women practicing a variety of martial arts ranging from the softer style of Qi Gong to the harder styles popularized by stars such as Bruce Lee, including Tae Kwan Do, Wing Chun, Kali, and Jeet Kune Do.
Sarah Finkbeiner of Nourish Your Roots and Alicia Wright of Bella Sol Spa are hosting the “Empowerment Seminar for Men and Women” on Sunday, Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the MARC, 111 E. 100 North, in downtown Moab.
While Finkbeiner and Wright work in similar capacities in that they are both martial arts instructors, Finkbeiner teaches the more internally-based Qi Gong and Wright coaches the more externally-based martial arts such as Tae Kwan Do.
It is the balance that is struck between the dichotomy of opposite styles between the two trainers that inspired the women to teach a class together, in hopes that the same balance could be struck within their students, Wright said.
After meeting at the first Moab Women’s Network meeting in March and discovering their mutal interests, Finkbeiner and Wright approached Seekhaven Family Crisis and Resource Center about being the benefactor and promoter of a fundraiser.
The women and Seekhaven “share the mission of facilitating others to access and activate their power from within, and thus was born the empowerment seminar,” Wright said.
The mission of the seminar is to empower others to have more awareness and confidence with themselves, and to provide them with tools to avoid and de-escalate unfavorable situations.
The seminar will be interactive with students learning basic body movements to use in confrontational situations, as well as including meditations, group discussions, and written exercises.
“We’re not here to just overload our audience with information and talk at them,” Finkbeiner said. “Rather, we’re here to offer them tools that get imprinted in their bodies and minds.”
Finkbeiner reiterated Wright’s reflection on the difference in the two women’s style being the impetus for the creation of the seminar.
“We’re hosting this seminar because we need to be reminded of the principles we’re teaching just as much as the next person,” Finkbeiner said. “Our intention is to hold an exquisitely safe space for all people to learn, grow, and elevate their consciousness. Teachers become students, and students become teachers.”
Krista Guss signed up for the seminar in preparation for a trip out of the country.
“I’m traveling in Latin America soon and I wanted to create a secure understanding of how to embody myself and my personal space in an empowered way to avoid the pitfalls of unaware exposure,” Guss said.
If the seminar is successful, Finkbeiner and Wright are looking forward to hosting similar events in the future.
The women are in talks with the Grand County High School about offering a similar class for high school students and are planning to offer similar seminars in neighboring communities. Wright will also be offering a 5-week long Spiritual Warrior Boot Camp starting in mid-September.
For the seminar, a donation of $25 is suggested for the fundraiser benefiting Seekhaven Family Crisis and Resource Center.
Fundraising seminar promotes empowerment
“Teachers become students, and students become teachers.”
When: Sunday, Sept. 7, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Moab Arts and Recreation Center, 111 E. 100 North
Cost: Suggested donation of $25 to benefit Seekhaven Family Crisis and Resource Center
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