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The Sharon Prize, a prestigious $5,000 annual grant celebrating and supporting women and non-binary artists in Colorado, has been awarded to Kristen Abbott for her innovative project, Tending | Belonging. Her project explores the cyclical nature of life—how we are connected and shaped by our encounters with beauty, loss, and longing. This immersive exhibition considers the garden as both metaphor and material: a site of care, change, and shared experience.

Kristen is a mixed media painter, drawing inspiration from the scenic landscapes of Boulder, Colorado where she resides. Guided by introspection and propelled by a sense of joyful experimentation, Abbott’s creative process spans a diverse array of mediums and materials. Her collaboration with nature rejuvenates her sense of wonder, continually drawing her back to the canvas in pursuit of capturing the enigmatic essence of Colorado’s landscape and the internal stillness it shares with us. 

Kristen’s work is represented by Liz Lidgett Gallery and Midnight Gallery and is included in private, corporate, and hospital collections nationwide. Beyond her studio practice, she is passionate about fostering a creative community, hosting workshops, retreats, and gatherings at Schoolhouse Studios, a 1950’s schoolhouse she personally renovated in Boulder, Colorado.

“When I first read about the Sharon Prize, it felt too aligned not to apply. Receiving it has been both an honor and a catalyst—giving me greater freedom to create art that builds connection and community, and to hold spaces where artists of all backgrounds can gather and grow. I am grateful for the Sharon Prize jury’s belief in the power of art to connect us,” said Kristen Abbott.

Through large-scale cyanotypes, paintings, installations, photography, poetry, and interactive elements, Tending | Belonging invites viewers into a sensory journey through the seasons—winter, spring, summer, fall—each unfolding within its own room at Schoolhouse Studios. These distinct spaces mirror the inner landscapes we move through and will immerse attendees in themes of loss, dormancy, renewal, and abundance.

Tending | Belonging is a call to disarm through beauty—to break down barriers and create space for reflection and conversation. Together, these artists offer a space where art and nature converge to remind us that we are more connected than separate in our experience of what it means to be human. 

The show features the work of Kristen Abbott as well as Colorado-based artists, Sara Sanderson, Natalie Pigliacampo, Cady Faus, and Lindsey Mazzaferro.

The Sharon Prize, established in honor of the late Sharon Riordan McAvoy, is an annual grant recognizing women and non-binary artists in Colorado who create work evoking the power of community and collective change. Over the past four years, they have received grant proposals from over 200 visual artists, singers, dancers, writers and filmmakers living and working in Colorado.

The opening reception for Tending | Belonging is Saturday, October 4th, from 5-8pm, at Schoolhouse Studios located at 4705 Baseline Road in Boulder, Colorado. Light refreshments will be served in the studio garden.

Until recently, International Women’s Day has remained largely in the shadows as a somewhat obscure holiday only recognized in a handful of countries and celebrated in even less. WIth the current political climate, it is no wonder that it has skyrocketed in popularity and become increasingly celebrated both here and abroad. However, in a time of loud protests and marches, it is refreshing to see a local aerial troupe celebrate International Women’s Day using aerial artistry and dance to celebrate the strength and power of women.

In the Wings was officially founded in January 2018 by Fallon Voorheis-Mathews. After dancing, choreographing, and teaching in another aerial company for many years, Voorheis-Mathews took up the challenge of creating her own company. Her troupe slowly came together over several months as she recruited six dedicated and very talented women all of whom she had danced with before in other companies and shows. The fact that all of the dancers are female is merely a happy coincidence.

As an all female aerial dance troupe it is only fitting that they scheduled their first official show celebrating women on International Women’s Day. The show is titled Divine: A Celebration of Women and focuses not only on the power and courage of women, but the challenges they face as well.

“I’ve always considered myself a feminist,” Voorheis-Mathews explained. “I work in professions that are dominated by females, but even so, I still feel that males have an edge. I wanted to focus on how we can continue to overcome and break through that proverbial glass ceiling. I feel that if we share our stories and experiences through dance and the arts we are able to better connect with the people around us and just maybe help people form a new understanding of what it is to be a woman.”

Voorheis-Mathews went on to explain that this show has become a platform for the dancers to process their own past traumas and the negative experiences of women they are close to. Company dancer Cecilia Potter Whyel choreographed a touching piece inspired by her mother who was deported from her native Philippines for being a devoted activist. Other company members dive into the sobering and dark experiences that relate to the #metoo movement.

One of Voorheis-Mathews favorite pieces that she choreographed and dances in focuses on female sensuality. She created this particular piece because she has always “struggled with owning my sexuality and sensuality.” Growing up in a religious household where you are told sensuality is bad and wrong had a profound negative affect on her. She created this piece as a way to try and let that go and understand that sensuality is a beautiful and powerful thing.

Not only does this show touch on the struggles of women, it also highlights the fun and empowerment of being a woman as well with a number of pieces. One piece is a fun interpretation of the “Cell Block Tango” from the musical Chicago. The show ends with an empowering piece set to Beyonce’s “Run the World”. Adding another fun and inclusive layer into the show, the host of the night is the local, well-known drag performer Alice Glamoure. Who better to help celebrate women than a fabulous drag queen? Overall, it is a well rounded show that expounds upon the struggles and joy of all women and definitely worth going to see on this upcoming International Women’s Day

You can see the show on March 8th and March 9th at 7:30 PM at the Boulder Circus Center. Reserved seating is available on Eventbrite. They are offering a ladies’ night out package with a discount on 4 tickets. 

Get Tickets Here

International organization selects local manufacturing leader

to help advance women in additive manufacturing

Frederick, CO – H2 Manufacturing Solutions, providing manufacturers a broad scope of problem-solving services, has been selected to start a new Colorado chapter of Women in 3D Printing, an organization founded in 2014 by Nora Touré to support women working in the 3D printing industry.

Women in 3D Printing (Wi3DP) has added seven new chapters in North America and Europe since the beginning of the year. This expansion is integral to the group’s commitment to promote, support, and inspire women in the 3D printing industry, profile leaders in the field, and increase visibility of women in additive manufacturing.

“I have been following Women in 3D Printing since its beginning and have been impressed. I had the opportunity to meet Nora this year in San Francisco and immediately appreciated her goal and her vision,” said H2 Manufacturing Solutions CEO Heidi Hostetter. “I knew it would be amazing to work with her to bring this organization to Colorado and be a part of this global movement in which she believes so completely and passionately. Nora had many choices, so the honor is all ours that she trusted us with this opportunity.”

Touré is an expert in additive manufacturing and has been in the industry since 2010, when she joined online 3D Printing service leader Sculpteo as one of its first employees. In June this year she became VP of Strategy for Ivaldi Group. Touré is not only passionate about the development of 3D printing, she also has a vision for social inclusion, which led her to found the organization.

When asked why she chose Denver and H2 Manufacturing Solutions to help build this new chapter, Touré stated, “Denver is home to a huge community of entrepreneurs, makers, and manufacturers. At Women in 3D Printing, we know the key to a stronger community and a more reliable network to the women in our industry is a local presence in hubs like Denver. Heidi and Adam are two powerhouses and it made sense to me to work with them to bring Wi3DP to Denver. I am thrilled to have them as part of our community and to grow this network with them.”

Industry veterans and newcomers alike are invited to attend the first Colorado chapter meeting , August 16^th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at ICOSA Media, 4100 Jackson Street in Denver. Register and find additional information on Facebook and Meetup.

About H2 Manufacturing Solutions

H2 Manufacturing Solutions offers a broad range of services to help manufacturers navigate the daily challenges of the modern manufacturing world. Our one-stop shop addresses any business challenge a manufacturer encounters, from representing best-in-class equipment and service providers to operational improvement consulting to business development strategies to technical expertise. At H2, our mission is to make manufacturers’ day-to-day challenges more manageable and less frustrating. Our promise is to deliver Honest. Hardworking. Results. For more information, contact H2 Manufacturing Solutions at 970-692-3344 or h2@h2manufacturingsolutions.com. Visit H2 Manufacturing Solutions on the web, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

About Women in 3D Printing

Women in 3D Printing is dedicated to promoting, supporting and inspiring women using additive manufacturing technologies. Their mission is to increase the visibility of women in additive manufacturing and encourage more women to use 3D Printing technologies. For more information, see the Wi3DP website, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

BizWest recognizes eleven exemplary local women for achievements at Northern Colorado Women of Distinction Awards

Loveland, CO – Heidi Hostetter, CEO of H2 Manufacturing Solutions, is one of eleven women honored for their achievements in business, philanthropy, and government at BizWest’s Women of Distinction Awards April 18^th, 2018.

The eleven women being honored to have all made considerable contributions in leadership, time, and philanthropy to the Larimer or Weld County communities. This year, nine women won awards for nine different business, government, or philanthropic categories, along with a “Leading Lady” Award and an “Outstanding Mentor” Award. Hostetter will be honored in the Business and Business Services category.

Hostetter has been a leader and fearless innovator in the Colorado manufacturing industry for more than twenty years. She leads two successful companies and is the visionary and a founder of the Alliance for the Development of Additive Processing Technologies (ADAPT) Center for additive manufacturing research. She sits on the state’s Advanced Manufacturing Accelerator review board and has led teams that earned a number of honors, including Manufacturer of the Year in 2016.

Along with her role as CEO of H2 Manufacturing, Hostetter is Vice President of Fauston Tool and Board Chair of Northern Colorado Manufacturing Partnership and chairs its annual trade show this year (NOCOM 2018) on April 12 at The Ranch. She has put in substantial hours of volunteer service and support for both profit and non-profit organizations, including Child Safe—which provides services for women and children affected by sexual abuse and Respite—a center for the terminally ill. She’s served in a professional capacity a number of leading organizations, including Ball Aerospace, Woodward, Neo Tech, and others. She also works for the state as a volunteer and business leader on its transition boards in Global Business Development. She has three grown children and a seven-year-old at home, who she calls her “greatest joy.”

The BizWest 2018 Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony is April 18, 2018, from 7:00 to 9:30 a.m. at the Embassy Suites in Loveland. $40 early-bird tickets are available through March 31. Tickets purchased online from April 1^st to 13^th are $50, and tickets at the door are $60.

2018 Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony

Date: April 18^th, 2018

Time: 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Place: Embassy Suites, 4705 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland, CO

Cost: $40. To register, visit https://bizwest.com/events/events/2018-women-of-distinction/?member=guest.

About H2 Manufacturing Solutions

H2 Manufacturing Solutions offers a broad range of services to help manufacturers navigate the daily challenges of the modern manufacturing world. Our one-stop shop addresses any business challenge a manufacturer encounters, from representing best-in-class equipment and service providers to operational improvement consulting to business development strategies to technical expertise. At H2, our mission is to make manufacturers’ day-to-day challenges more manageable and less frustrating. Our promise is to deliver Honest. Hardworking. Results. For more information, contact H2 Manufacturing Solutions at 970-692-3344 or h2@h2manufacturingsolutions.com. Visit H2 Manufacturing Solutions on the web, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

About BizWest

BizWest was founded in March 2014 through a merger of the Boulder County Business Report and the Northern Colorado Business Report. Today, BizWest covers the business news of Boulder, Broomfield, Larimer, and Weld counties. It strives to provide the most accurate, in-depth, business news and to maintain the deepest and most up-to-date business database in Boulder Valley and Northern Colorado.

Ann Hodgson, of Zonta Foothills Club of Boulder County, was installed as District Governor of Zonta District 12 on July 17, 2020 leading 18 clubs from Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and  South Dakota. Ann has been a member of the Zonta Foothills Club of Boulder County since 2006 and has served as Club President, chaired various committees and has been on the District 12 Board for the past eight years. She is inspired by the work of Zontians around the world, advancing the rights of women to insure their safety, education and economic stability. Ann is excited to take on the challenges of the Governor’s position as one of only 30 Governors worldwide. 

Ann graduated from University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in mathematics. Her professional career was with AT&T and its subidiaries in data systems and economic analysis. 

Zonta International was founded in 1919 in Buffalo, New York. It is a global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy and Zonta Foothills Club of Boulder County is a local all-volunteer chapter of Zonta International.The local club has supported women and girls in Boulder County since 1982 and is perhaps best known for their Zonta EducateZ project which supports under resourced women and girls who face obstacles to education. Zonta Foothills supports the Boulder Valley Schools, Community Food Share, Mother House, the Milagros Scholarship, Moving to End Sexual Assault (MESA), Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA), Sister Carmen, Harvest of Hope and others, through service, advocacy, scholarships and fianncial support. The Foothills Club has awarded more than $90,000 in educational scholarships to women since 2010 and provided more than 45,000 books to Boulder families through free libraries. They mentor high school and college-aged women through their Z Club programs.

It’s been a little over a year since Boulder landed the 4^th spot in the “best city for hippies” ranking by the magazine Estately. And while Boulderites will have a divided opinion about that, few would disagree that hippies are intimately linked with the word “peace.”  Boulder has its own history of peace activism, especially with the protests against the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant. Some of those activists may have considered themselves hippies; some may not have… but the article did not mention this history of peace activism, focusing instead on Boulder’s love of marijuana. So what does it even mean to be a hippie? What does it even mean to really desire peace?

It’s this word “peace” that has become almost a laughingstock – a tie-dyed peace symbol you’ve stared at so long it’s lost its meaning, or something shouted by barefoot, drugged out people that will never ever happen.

If we’re keeping peace only in the houses of hippies and within the ambit of a 1960s counter-culture, we’re doing it a major disservice.  This is the message that’s been coming out of an organization here in Broomfield, One Earth Future, which has been producing research and interviews of thought leaders on the subjects of peace and conflict. What is needed to make us stop thinking of peace as an unattainable utopia, and apply this concept to a practical agenda?

For one thing, we can’t be kidding ourselves that the mission is to evaporate all forms of conflict. “We need conflict,” says William Ury, co-founder of the Harvard Negotiation Project. “Wherever there’s injustice, you need to engage it.” But injustice can be engaged through nonviolent forms of conflict that are more effective in the advancement of humankind.

For another, there are some seriously underutilized resources and attention out there that can be harnessed for the cause of peace. As Sanam Anderlini, the co-founder of International Civil Society Action Network points out, a silent majority actually does want peace, and it’s not the hand-holding, altered-mind state, but the practical existence of nonviolent action. We just need to elevate and learn from these voices – especially women. Women in particular can be powerful negotiators, says Swanee Hunt, and bring a different perspective and knowledge base to the peace process.

And let’s remind ourselves that peace is not represented only on your uncle’s John Lennon poster. Like psychologist Steven Pinker says, our mindsets towards peace should change so that it becomes a practical, solvable problem, not about whether or not you sing the right folk songs.  We no longer consider dueling, slavery, or human sacrifice fashionable practices, and norms about war may be going the same way.

Voices like Ambassador Charles Stith caution us about the scope of the challenges, especially existing levels of discontent. Lack of fairness makes for violent people, as he says, and we have only to look to Ferguson, MO for proof that underlying grievances are far from vanishing. But we can also look to some inspiring examples – like the Civil Rights movement – for confronting anger and conflict in nonviolent ways.

There is a little referenced distinction between inequality as represented by World Bank stat sheets, and a person’s own sense that they are being treated unfairly What if we were to get better attaking the sense of a people’s inequality into account along with the other statistics? What if, like Ury suggests, we treat war and violent uprisings more like common health ailments – predictable and preventable? What if we stop giving in to a narrative of spiraling unrest and danger and start paying more attention to some of the astonishing positive global trends that have taken place?

Whether or not Boulder is a haven for hippies is beside the point. Hippies and non-hippies alike, we have a lot of practical problem-solving ahead of us.

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                Contact: Jacqui Hildebrant

                                                                                                                                                                303-443-9237

Athleta Boulder hosts a free five part series on women’s leadership

                The community is invited to join in on an interactive series on developing women’s leadership roles.  Marni Gauthier, PhD, competitive triathlete, certified yoga instructor, leadership development facilitator and  professional coach will lead the sessions at the Athleta store, 1133 Pearl Street on Monday nights beginning, September 23 at 6:30 pm.

                Topics include:

Session One: Monday September 23

• Learn the relation of the four energy sources to the four leader archetypes:

the Warrior, Teacher, Nurturer, and Visionary

Session Two: Monday September 30

• Discover your natural archetype and how to cultivate the wisdom of all four

Session Three: Monday October 7

• The Warrior and The Teacher: Physical and Mental Energy and Acuity

Session Four: Monday October 14

• The Nurturer and The Visionary: Emotional and Spiritual Energy and Insight

Session Five: Monday October 21

• Integrate all four to increase your fourfold energy, intelligence & leadership capacity

                “Both cutting-edge and ancient in its wisdom, this seminar empowers you to become a strong, capable, and  compelling leader in every area of your life,” Gauthier says.

                The community may attend any one or all five parts of the series. For more information contact the Athleta  store at 303-443-9237.

We live in a world where women live in constant danger. It’s a harsh reality to learn that: 1 in 3 women around the world will experience physical/sexual violence by a partner … About 140M women suffer from female genital mutilation/cutting. Three million girls a year are at risk … Globally, 38% of all murdered women were killed by their intimate partners …  Women are 2-4 times more likely than men to become infected with HIV during intercourse. Forced sex or rape increases this risk … More than 64 million girls worldwide are child brides … Women and girls represent 55 percent of the estimated 20.9 million victims of forced labor worldwide … Women and girls represent 98 percent of the estimated 4.5 million forced into sexual exploitation.

Zonta Foothills Club of Boulder County joins in fighting this problem that is ruining the lives of women and girls …  We will wear orange throughout November in support of “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women” a Zonta International campaign to raise awareness of and increase actions to end violence against women and girls. “We believe that sustainable prevention requires an understanding of the root causes and the use of multiple complementary strategies operating on individual, relationship, and the community and society levels, starting early in life during childhood, continuing in the schools and continuing during adulthood,” explains Maria Jose, Landeira Oestergaard Zonta International President.

Sexual violence is one of the most pervasive human rights violations and a global epidemic. It knows no national or cultural barriers and affects millions of women and girls in peacetime and conflict. It includes physical and sexual violence, and harmful practices such as rape, female genital cutting and human trafficking. Violence against women and girls threatens countries, inhibits economic progress, and prevents women from contributing to their community and creating better lives for themselves and their families. In our own backyards violence against women is hidden in the most unsuspecting places, on our streets, in our schools, or maybe even in a right in your neighborhood. In Colorado 1 in 4 women will experience sexual assault in their lifetime. Whether it is rape, child sexual assault, dating or domestic violence incest, human trafficking, it is in all strata of our society. But yet it is estimated that under 10% of sexual assaults are actually reported to police.

As a community, Boulder County can only reverse this trend if we advocate for programs that educate and lay the ground work for change. Zonta Foothills Club of Boulder County salutes groups in our community like Moving to End Sexual Assault (MESA), Abby’s Voice, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program (SANE), St. Vrain Safe Shelter and CU Women and Gender Studies Program and others who work with us to address reverse this epidemic.  Their efforts must be recognized in our community.

Together we are saying that we can no longer tolerate exploitation of women and that college campuses must not look the other way to traditions of drinking, hazing and sexual exploitation.  As a community we are reaching out to men, women and children to educate and establish an understanding the intricate web of violence. Men and boys must be empowered to speak with a unified voice making violence not just a women’s problem but broader societal issue. Zonta Foothills Club of Boulder County asks you to recruit you spouse, your brother, your neighbor or your son…inform them of the facts surrounding this social tragedy urge them to be an agent for change for all of our daughters.

To learn more visit http://www.zontafoothills.org/.

Around the world there are an estimated 93 million children not in school, 48.4 million are girls. Zonta International has increased access to educational opportunities and vocational skills training for girls and young women in Africa, Asia and South America. Zonta Foothills Club is working hard to make a difference here in Boulder.

Through the Zonta EducateZ Scholarship Zonta Foothills Club of Boulder County is helping women like Amber Heartz complete their education.

Meet Amber Heartz, the first-ever recipient of The Zonta EducateZ Scholarship, an endowed scholarship managed for Zonta Foothills Foundation by The Community Foundation  of Boulder County.

Amber is a hard-working single mom who is a very strong motivated person. With our support she will be attending Compass Nursing Arts in Lafayette, Colorado. We have awarded her an $1100 scholarship along with a laptop computer to support her studies. Amber is a proud mom or an adorable one year-old son and her goal is to go on to become a medical assistant. She explains that by “having a good job I can provide for my family, buy a home, have a good car… I’m very outgoing, a hard worker, and a strong person. My son is my world and my main reason to achieve and work on my education and goals in life.”

Congratulations Amber and Good luck at Compass!

How does the Zonta EducateZ Scholarship Work?

Its goal is to make returning to or staying in school a reality and we are committed to helping women who face significant financial barriers to higher education.  The Zonta EducateZ Scholarship is awarded to a woman who:

• wants to return to post secondary school,
• faces significant financial barriers to attending a college, university or any accredited institution,
• is committed to becoming self sufficient through education.

To qualify for this scholarship award the applicant must:

• be a resident of the State of Colorado
• have graduated from high school or have earned a GED
• be admitted to a two or four-year accredited college, university, or trade school
• demonstrate financial need
• complete the required essay
• participate in an interview if requested.

The funds will not exceed $1000 per semester but smaller awards are possible.  The amount awarded each recipient is determined by the selection committee according to established criteria. 

There's a wonderful documentary screening this weekend at the Boedecker Theater in Boulder and as it's being self-distributed by the filmmakers, this is one of your only chances to see it on a big screen!  Lydia Smith, the director of Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago has been traveling with her film to promote it--go see it March 30!  Purchase advance tickets here:

Boedecker Film schedule

The first two screenings have already sold out!!  It's also screening at the Chez Artiste in Denver.

Here's my review of the film:

Film Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJDxD_UE4ZQ

LUNAFEST®, the traveling fundraising film festival, is dedicated to promoting awareness about women's issues, highlighting women filmmakers, and bringing women together in their communities. The Boulder, Colo. LUNAFEST will be on the big screen at the Boulder Theater on October 11, 2012. 

This year’s Boulder LUNAFEST is excited and proud to announce documentary film producer Olivia Ahnemann as the 2012 emcee. Ahnemann was the co-producer on The Cove, a documentary about the slaughter of dolphins in Japan. The Cove has won more than 70 awards globally from film festivals and critics, including Best Feature Documentary at the 2009 Academy Awards.

“As a female filmmaker, the idea of promoting women filmmakers and films about women and for women is very close to my heart,” shares Ahnemann. “Filmmakers put so much blood, sweat and tears into their work, they all deserve an audience, and LUNAFEST is a wonderful opportunity for these special stories to be shared.”

A resident of Boulder, Colo., Ahnemann has been producing and directing documentaries since 1998. She has profiled Winston Blackmore’s polygamist clan in British Columbia for National Geographic and Europe’s royal families for A&E; followed BASE jumpers in Chamonix, France and big wave surfers in South Africa, Hawaii, Mexico and Tahiti for Warren Miller Entertainment; and filmed men and women building the new Bay Bridge in Oakland for Discovery.

Following the film program, Ahnemann will be available for a Q&A to answer questions about filmmaking, producing and her unique experiences.

The Boulder LUNAFEST will be at the Boulder Theater, 2032 14^th Street, on October 11, 2012. The program begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $17.50, $12.50 for students. Purchase tickets at the box office or online at http://www.bouldertheater.com/event/lunafest-short-films-by-for-about-women. 

For more about LUNAFEST, visit www.lunafest.org. 

As you know, there are a lot of different styles of martial arts which you can practice.  Some studios offer a very traditional practice, which is great for the art and philosophy but is not necessarily effective anymore.  Then other gyms offer cardio kickboxing, which is a fantastic workout but martial arts wise you will learn as much as playing Kung Fu video games.  Then there are MMA gyms, a style that has been proven to be highly effective in competition (although that does not mean it is effective in a real self defense situation).  Most martial arts studios will teach you the style that they are proficient in but that may not give you a complete training experience or the best bang for your buck!  

I have met many individuals that practice martial arts and hire a personal trainer or strength & conditioning coach on the side.  Or they practice yoga outside of martial arts classes to improve their flexibility, feel in sync with their body etc.  At Define Defense, we approach martial arts training through a modern way and want to redefine martial arts and self defense (Define Defense, get it?).  

What we do is offer different programs for different purposes:

- Modern Martial Arts for people wanting to learn and practice all the best of different martial arts in a modern and realistic way while getting a great workout (everything from standup, takedowns, throws etc.)
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for all levels and offering a highly effective mix of BJJ and other forms of submission wrestling for a superior ground game
- Mixed Martial Arts: combining Modern Martial Arts and BJJ for individuals who want to learn MMA or compete
- Women's Self Defense without the intimidation of having men around, all the best and most effective ways to defend yourself as a woman

These programs offer different things for different people and are specific to the goal that wants to be reached.  Now, as a client you will learn a lot of techniques, tactics, submissions, strikes and much more but what if you want to get stronger, in better shape, more flexible etc?  That is why all our clients get complimentary Circuit Training and Yoga classes.  These are included in your membership and are taught by certified instructors.  There is no more need for separate memberships, gyms, trainers and costs.  You get a full training package as a member in our studio.  This way, you get a better and more complete training experience without any additional cost.  You will actually save money because you don't have to go elsewhere anymore.   Our membership fees are highly competitive (the best in the Boulder area) and there are no setup fees or cancellation fees.  Our philosophy is to treat others as you want to be treated and we love the community we have at Define Defense.

Sander Vanacker is the owner and head instructor of Define Defense Martial Arts in Downtown Boulder.  www.DefineDefense.com