Letter to a Queen
Dear Queen 👑
Whether you are starting martial arts for the first time or returning after a break, I applaud you for taking this step. It takes great courage to begin a new chapter. I know this because I was once a beginner too. Learning Muay Thai has helped me discover my strength, and I am excited to share it with you.
Before Muay Thai, I was uncertain and passive. In my insecurity, I was in conflict with myself and others. Muay Thai changed that, transforming my fear into newfound confidence. I learned that through training, my size, height, weight, gender, or experiences did not justify my vulnerability to conflict. I have no control over others, but I have a say over myself. Being capable of shaping my own safety, health, and happiness was the hope that I was looking for.
Unlike previous relationships, professional and recreational pursuits, Muay Thai gave back to me as much as I gave to it. With the help of a supportive community of mentors and classmates, my efforts in training resulted in both a healthier body and a more resilient mind. At times training was an escape, but it eventually became a mirror: my strength and will were not limited to the mats. The more I valued my time in training, the more I valued my time outside of it. I started healthier relationships with myself and others, and pulled myself away from what was corrosive. Eventually, the freedom I gained in transforming myself allowed me to pursue my passion for Muay Thai as a career. It was not easy to make drastic but necessary life changes; it took effort and courage to start.
I created Queens because I believe women and girls deserve to have a space where they can feel safe first, in order to become strong. Second, having such a space allows us to address female-centric issues in the most open way. It is my belief to train women the way I was taught and more: to first build physical and mental strength as a foundation for authentic self-confidence and second, create a space where women and girls build positive relationships with each other.
In class, we emphasize so much on training the body, but the development of physical competency should include personal philosophy. This is one of the reasons why I love martial arts; it is a space to strengthen the body and mind. While we work on the physical techniques in class, this Student Handbook blog series will serve as a tool to sharpen our understanding of important concepts: how martial arts philosophy and values shape our classes and, hopefully, influence our lives outside of training.
Thank you for choosing Queens Muay Thai as your school and trusting me as your teacher. I always promise to help you learn, laugh, and succeed every time you come in to train. I hope by sharing Muay Thai with you; it can be your vehicle to pursue the life you want for yourself too.
-Kru Kat Velasquez
“I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves.”
M A R Y W O L L S T O N E C R A F T