February 28, 2018
Many years ago (1999) I left Setting Sun Dojo in San Diego as a 1st Degree Black Belt along with my new husband & sons and began teaching martial arts out of our garage in Arizona. Years later (2002) Sensei Kevin & I moved to Colorado Springs and reopened Paulsen’s Family Martial Arts and eventually the Falcon school (2005) as well. During those years, I followed Doshu Mark into Go Jiu Bujitsu and grew to become Go Jiu Bujitsu’s second Shihan, its first female Shihan and the fourth highest rank in the entire martial arts system. I have been so blessed with hundreds of wonderful students with the support of loving parents, grandparents or spouses. I have also been blessed to teach at the Falcon school for 12 years. Unfortunately, the Falcon school facility had to be closed on February 28, 2017.
It is with great regret and heartbreak that I announce the closing of the Colorado Springs dojo with the last class & final bow out on Saturday, March 31, 2018. At that time, I will retire as the owner of Paulsen’s Family Martial Arts & it’s responsibilities.
I have been so proud of you & your accomplishments, not only in martial arts, but in your personal lives as well. I’ve been so very privileged to watch you grow from youngsters’ into wonderful young ladies & young men. Some of you have been involved & excelled in other sports while continuing with your martial arts training; some of you have been honor students throughout elementary, middle & high school; some of you have graduated from college; some of you have entered the military; some of you have even earned your Black Belts! As a matter of fact, there are 12 of you who started when you were 7-9 yrs old & are now 1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree Black Belts. Sensei Kevin & I trained 19 of you to become Black Belts with two more testing on March 17th. I’ve invited Doshu Mark to conduct the last Black Belt test.
During our tenure of being school owners, Sensei Kevin & I have touched 600+ lives with martial arts techniques & philosophies of having positive character attributes. We also have touched over 800 ladies & young girls in the six years we’ve been teaching Kym Rock’s Fight Like A Girl Personal Violence Prevention program through regular classes & seminars. Eight ladies have earned their Black Belt with four more testing on March 24th. I have invited Kym Rock, the founder, to conduct the Black Belt test.
As you all know, Sensei Kevin passed away on January 6, 2015. I have suffered greatly & continue to struggle with the resulting grief to this day. But, I have tremendous support from all of you, from my continuous meetings with my very excellent & compassionate Christian counselor, my family, and my church family.
A very special thank you to my instructors & parents who sacrificed their time, their energy & rearranging their schedules for Paulsen’s to continue these past three years.
My life has truly been enriched by your words of encouragement & friendships! May God bless each one of you.
With All My Gratefulness & Appreciation,
Shihan Diane Paulsen