Quinn’s Corner • June 2026

I spent so much of my early life caring for others and learning how to be a warrior. When I was a child, I never wanted to go to bed. As a night shift nurse, I used to proclaim, “Sleep is for the weak!” I was so proud of my ability to function on very few hours of sleep.

When I began teaching self-defense and Pukulan at Lewis and Clark college, just walking up the stairs to the gym suddenly became exhausting. The more I pushed myself, the worse I felt physically and mentally. I always knew that our art is a healing art and that training made me stronger and happier, but I realized I still did not always attend to my needs and healing.

The answer became obvious. Self-care was not an interruption in my life; it was a set of essential tools to make my life more whole and more enjoyable. I began going to bed at the same time every night and meditating. I added more vegetables. I began exploring healing arts like Qigong.

Healing looks different for each of us – mediation, exercise, spending time with loved ones, taking a nap – but we all need it.

At One With Heart, we are working to create opportunities for healing through gentle movement to serve our community. In June, we added free Yoga classes with instructor-in-training Emme. In July, we will begin a 6-week Qigong course with guest instructor Rose Allen.

I have personally interviewed and taken classes from these instructors, and I have found that their work has helped me to feel calmer and stronger.

As martial artists, we experience healing through the powerful movements of Pukulan. These new practices will offer us other great ways to care for ourselves – just more quietly and gently. I hope you will all join me in exploring these classes this summer and into the future!

Gotong royong,

Bantu Quinn