promoted 6/03
Steve was promoted to the rank of 3rd kyu. Bill was promoted to 5th kyu. Jimmy and Nick earned their patch by performing Seisan Kata in front of class
Promoted 10/02
For promotion to 7th Kyu I have the students write a short essay on What karate has done for them in the first few monthsof training. I thought I would share these with you
Karate Essay
By
Lindzy age 13
The question you have asked me to answer is, “What Karate Has Done For Me”. Karate has not only done something for me but it has also done something for my whole family. The reason I say that is because my mom always had said before Karate that I was to rowdy and that someday I will get into some big trouble and not know what to do, but now she is not worried and she now gives me more space. It has also made me more physically fit, I am more self disciplined and I know how to defend myself better. When I first walked into the Dojo I thought, “Man, what am I getting myself into?” but after I had gone to more classes I had gotten used to the routine. Now I am really glad I have stuck to it! I hope that this form of Karate stays around long enough so my own children can do this. Karate has really helped me also be being able to tell myself when to say no to a fight and how to stay cool around serious situations. I also like to do Karate because I have met some really nice friends that I would never talk to on the street. The first thing Karate has done for me is to help me get physically fit. Not only am I stronger but also I have been more confident with myself. Before I joined your Karate class I had always wanted to fight. I wanted to get in trouble. But now, after I started Karate, I do not want to fight! I have more self-discipline and know that fighting is not right and fair to the other person who cannot fight. The most important thing I have learned from Karate is to defend myself if it is ever necessary. I know you say not to say, “it has taught me how to fight”, but it truly has! It has taught me Karate but also street moves that will help me if needed.
Sita Age 17 6/12/03
How Karate Has Affected My Life
To try it or not to try it out; that is the question. Many, many month’s ago I had entered a martial art class, it was mainly for exorcise. However when school and grades became more of a important aspect in my life, I had to let it go. Not to mention that the drive was quite a long ways. I did not miss the class that much. One day my friend and I were at the 7-eleven near my house when we noticed a bunch of people coming out of a studio. Now I had acknowledged this martial art place before, but had never ventured to near. My friend and I decided that it would be really interesting to maybe go for one day, just for fun. Sine that day I have enjoyed every class that I have had in that little studio. I have learned many aspects of the Isshinryu style of Karate. I have learned three Kata’s in the last six months, plus many basic techniques. I have learned discipline, patience, endurance and strength. Not only have I learned these aspects in the martial arts, but I have also applied them in my high school studies. With attempting to go to the three days of Karate, plus going to school. I have not only done as good in school as last year, but I have accomplished goals and set higher standards for myself.
The disciplines I have learned in Karate have helped me with the task of discipline in my studies. In Karate we are taught to be respectful, to ourselves and to others. We are taught to listen to the instructor and to attempt to do as he does. We are instructed about the art and about when, and when not to use it. And last but not least we are instructed in the art itself. In school I have used these to discipline myself around others, and at home with my studies.
As well as discipline, I have learned patience. I have learned patience with myself, and with others. I have learned through the Kata’s and the techniques that the skill does not come automatically, however, with hard work and practice and of course patience, one can accomplish anything. In school I have grown in my study habits and testing skills, I have learned that with patience anything can be accomplished.
Through Karate I have learned endurance. I have learned endurance with things that seem impossible. In Karate there is this half hour or so that is a living hell. It is the first part of the class. We do things such as seven hundred jumping-jacks, a hundred and twenty push-ups (finger tips, knuckles, double wide, and the worst of all diamonds). We then do leg lifts, sit ups, crunches and of course chairs. All of these take a great amount of endurance. This endurance and strength has been applied to too many different parts of my studies, from homework to class work, to projects with others.
All these aspects have helped me grow emotionally, physically and mentally. These skills that I have obtained in karate will be the accomplishments that will keep on growing throughout my life.
Porfirio age 13
What karate has done for me in the past months? Karate has done many things for me in the past months. It has increased my exercise ability. Like when I first came in I could not do so much exorcise but after all the exercise we do it has increase my exercise ability. Not has it only increased my exercise ability but my will to learn. Because there is so much to learn in Isshinryu Karate. I have also learned so many strategies that they would never teach in the karate school I used to attend. In the past it has also done things like help me protect myself from people who try to fight with me but of course I use it as a last resort. It has also taught me faith because when we spar I have faith in the moves that the Sensei had taught that night. It also taught me strategies if I get into a fight I will know what to do and what not to do. It has also taught me that I am faster than I thought I was. That is good because now I have something else that I can work on. It has also taught me different stances that I could fight in if I was in a real fight. That is what Karate has done for me in the past months.
Kellcie
June. 13. 2003
Age 17
Isshinryu Karate
“What has karate done for you in these first few months.”
Since I have started karate, I have become stronger, more confident, and more patient. I have met new people and learned that karate is a lot more difficult, precise, and more affective than I thought it would be. I also realized that just because I can’t throw a side kick or have trouble with a move and can no longer spar, doesn’t mean that I should quit.
Taking karate has also made me more open minded about the world and all that it offers. Karate was something that Sita and I planned on trying for a month or so. I figured it would be good for me to try something new and unlike anything I’d done before. I really didn’t think I would want to stay with it. Little did Sita and I know that this would become such a fun and important part of our lives.
Class Picture 2003