3. Altering my outlook of culture and society

In 150 words or fewer, describe how one of the items listed in the "Involvement and Participation" section has affected you. How have you changed by being involved with this particular club, organization, or activity? Or how has this experience altered you outlook on politics, cultures, economics or education?

What happens to you when you dance and explore contact improvisation? How much do you want to merge and how much do you want to separate? What does it means to risk connection, connection to the world of others? Is our history the most important thing or is it our soul? Do we relate to each other as representatives of groups or as individuals? What roles do we play and how do those public personas influence others, creates movement, and changes space?

Contact Improvisation has given me a framework to explore these questions and the ideas of closeness, of connection in our lives, especially when we have our own tailor-made personalities with their own set of boundaries. And then, how to shed those roles and move authentically, connected and integral in the space of dance, and society. Contact Improvisation allows us to see how we are disconnected and then perhaps move through those disconnections to more meaningful interactions. It is where you get to discover where you see yourself in relation to the greater world. This form of dance offer kinesthetic training and somatic awareness, and it also gives you tact for negotiation and clear communication. There is also this lovely, floating relationship to abstraction, while shedding light into the deep inner human existence and webbing of our reality.

2. personal transformational experience

Naropa University is a place where transformation happens. Our students examine who they are, their roles in the world and how they want to meet the world and change it for the better. In a minimum of one page, tell us about a transformational experience you have had and how it enhanced your ability to see another person's view, alter your own view, or engage with the issue or you community in a new way.

In the fall of 2008 I packed a couple of panniers full of warm clothes, camping gear, and bike tools and flew to Portland, Oregon to set off on a month long bike ride to Los Angeles. Never in my life did I consider that traveling by a bike and camping for days on end was possible, moreover doable. I met my 3 friends with whom I planned this adventure in Portland and after a few days of preparations we were off.

A small footnote, I began riding my bike in Los Angeles 4 years prior to the trip and although I was a bike enthusiast, the farthest bike rides I did where 10-15 miles one way to meet some friends across town; I was used to riding for an hour max and then moving onto a different activity. I was comfortable and familiar riding in the city but by no feat was I a rode racer, pounding away miles to attain a goal. I have always been an athlete, but within recent years I have fallen into the comforts of personal choice and being able to withdrawal myself from physical challenges when they where too much.

So you can only imagine how I felt when I began to realize the first day that we where going to ride for hours on end. This was the begging of coming to terms, breaking away and expanding my mental barriers and perceived physical limitations. Not only did I have to adapt to the changed weight of my bike, whereas it was 25 pounds in the city to more than doubled on this trip; I also had to come to terms with physical pain of relentless time spent in the saddle, freezing in the nights, and nowhere to hide- emotionally or literally.

This was my initiation. I was learning to release the notion of instant gratification and endure- for success down the line. I learned to communicate my sorrows more deeply, my joys more openly. Every mountain climbed and descended, crazy autumnal elements overcome, I learned. I observed. I shared. I overcame. And with that, it began to dawn on me not only in theory but through experience, of how resourceful, resilient and patient human nature can be. I gave myself a month of contemplating, listening within, exercise and direct exposure to the natural elements. How many people in the world have that kind of time and opportunity?

My personal experiences also motivated and inspired others to do the route, as well as shed light on the very possibility to "everyone" else. It is almost like I became a certified spokesperson for bicycle touring. But more importantly the trip gave me the confidence to be a part of the bike co-op community. Shortly after my return, I began to volunteer at Bikerowave , a "do it yourself" bike shop, which has been a big figure in the west-side bike community in Los Angeles. I continued to learn about my bike, but I also began to learn about vintage French bottom brackets as well as building wheels and teaching people to do their own tune-ups. I was growing in my knowledge of bike repair, moving from simply fixing a flat to fully re-hauling a bicycle. Even more importantly though, it was all done through a community setting. We held monthly board meetings and voted on issues; raised money through fundraisers and parties; created a "women only" night for females who wanted to fix their bikes in a quiet and sensitive environment; moved to a bigger and more accessible location, and thus grew our member base. All the participation stemmed from the trip. It was my way in to the bike community.

Since then, I have toured the east coast of Australia. Learned and explored the sub-culture of bicycle polo. Connected with people around the world, who I might have never have met, if it wasn't for this medium. Not only is cycling a great way to exercise, it is an important means of alternative transportation, and ultimately an enriching journey inside and through the world.

1. how you are prepared to participate

At Naropa University students develop critical intellect, engage in service to the world, explore their inner resources, participate in the creative arts and develop an understanding of the richness of human diversity. Given this, please tell us in an essay (minimum of 500 words) how you are prepared to participate in this distinctive community and how your life and educational goals would be reached by attending Naropa University.

Since I was fifteen I have been reading about Buddhism and Sufism, finding the teachings resonating a truth deep within. I was always pulled towards self discovery and awareness, whether it be manifested through athletic focus and competition, creative expression within dance, or an interest in social and environmental issues.

My perspective is that of Holism, where every part is integrated and interrelated with the others. For a while, I felt different from my peers and internally isolated; I was interested in issues of existential reality when most of my friends where more interested in gossip and the mainstream ideas. I would wonder, how could some people be so unaware or disinterested in the macro and micro dilemnas. Senseless conversations, unsustainable consuming, destructive habits, such ideas plagued my being with confusion and sadness. I was partaking in an internal struggle and resisting what was. But, those concerns where the catalyst to my passion for change and self-improvement; the catalyst to becoming tolerant yet curious; and finally blending a sense of acceptance with productivity and action.

After high school, it took me some time to commit going back to school. But once I started, I knew I was embarking on a journey of discovery. I picked classes specifically to answer inner questions or out of curiosity of the subject, while also fulfilling my transfer requirements. I whole-heartily engulfed in the topics, or fully withdrew if they where not meeting my educational requirements. Selfishly, I wanted to figure "it" out and develop relationships with my professors, not just pass along in a class among the many. For two years I volunteered with the Student Sustainable Crew Program, which focused on us teaching peers: on diverting solid waste through recycling, become water efficient, eliminating toxic chemicals, minimizing transportation impacts, reducing energy use, and better consumer choices. In my fourth year of college, I ran for Student Secretary under the "Solid" Campaign, a group of my friends who where all concerned about "greening" the campus. We where interested in getting a food-garden on campus, a textbook- rental program started, and better food choices in the cafeteria. Our entire running party was elected by a landslide, even a new position in the Associated Student Government was created called the Director of Sustainability. But like many idealistic and enormous ideas, we where met with a lot of resistance from some teachers and Advisors. That was my first real experience to witness the ongoing bureaucracy and top-down power and control that has been part of our social system. No matter how much the students inspired and motivated the prospect of change, we where going against the status quo. What irony. Needless to say, I was disenchanted with the whole idea, and decided that my energies where better spent traveling and learning about how people live, directly.

So I flew to Sweden at the end of my semester term. I was able to witness how an entire country, small as it may be, functions under a sustainable and social system. Universal health care, strong public transportation systems, the EPA that made an impact and is a leading force for national decisions. This was eye-opening. Years later I traveled the east coast of Australia by bicycle, where I was blown away by their sustainable and conscious practices. Water tanks at every house, clothes lines and the lack of dryers in both homes and apartment buildings. Bicycle lanes through out the cities; the decision to make, grow and consume domestic products as much as possible; conservation of water, energy, and the natural environment. The list was long of efficient practices, but it made me wonder, why where we so far behind in implementing ours?

It dawned on me, people do only what they know best. If we knew more, with our whole essence, and where taught and raised with better habits, then the world would look quite different. But we are still learning; either to rediscover the the mystery of the universe, or just move closer with it's vibration. My goal is to make objective and holistic decisions, and if I can inspire or educate other's, even better. Not only do I want to understand, more importantly I am ready to learn the theoretical as well as the hands-on techniques and information on becoming a more self sustaining person, living in a natural world. To apply the knowledge and my life experiences to create some kind of efficient system where I live. And it all stems from education.

Now, 25, a little wiser, I am eager to share, express and experience a holistic university. I am more aware of my strengths, short comings, and learning abilities. I know how to apply my self more efficiently and give full-heartily. I am also excited to participate and continue growing in contemplative dance practice, such as contact improvisation and yoga. I am excited about a school that applies meditation as an integral part of it's system. Acknowledging that life is a process, I am ready for this new chapter in that process.