There were karate chops and kicks galore as Stephen Oliver's Mile High Karate held a board-breaking seminar. The Westminster and Thornton schools came together at the Westminster City Center park area. Mr. Kyle Galloway, fourth-degree black belt instructor, taught the many dozens of participants ranging in age from 5 to 55 years old. Learning the basic techniques was just the beginning.

Participants also learned about focus, commitment and determination. We learned about focusing on our goal of breaking the board. Then we honed that to a laser focus, filtering out any outside distractions. We were to visualize ourselves breaking the board. Our commitment and determination had to be there so we would follow through with the break. All the beginners then practiced their technique on focus pads. Once ready to go, wooden boards were substituted for the pads. The energy level was very high. Every participant was able to break their board, some more quickly than others, but all were successful. More experienced students tried speed breaks and multi-board breaks.

Ranulfo Gonzalez, fifth-degree master instructor, spoke about applying these lessons to everyday life. When a child is frustrated, they need help to recognize the problem and decide what to do about it. The board represents frustrating obstacles in our lives. Just as we look at the grain of the wood in the board to know which way to turn it, we assess our situation. We set goals, focus on our goals, commit to our goals and follow through. And just as breaking a board is easier with someone to help hold it, problems are easier to solve when we ask for help.