I once quit karate

I once quit karate.

I began karate when I was 16 years old. I was at the rank of yellow belt and trained twice per week and really enjoying the classes. It was a dream come true for me to find my salvation in karate training. I was getting stronger, learning self defenses and slowly building my confidence.  This training was everything I had hoped for.

It was summer, June I think when I was doing some work in my car to install a new 8 track (you remember those don’t you?). I had contorted my body to get under the dashboard when I twisted the wrong way and threw out my back. Pain shot down into my lower back so badly I was now unable to extricate myself from this position. I tried, i squirmed, I pushed and I pulled but this condition was getting worse by the minute.

Just then my Father came walking into the garage. I yelled to him I need some help and he grabbed me by the ankles and pulled me out. With this help I was able to get to a crooked but standing position and limp back into the house.  Racked with pain I was barely able to move. For the time being, karate training was over.

My back recovered but I still had not returned to class.  One day in August, I was walking through the local department store and ran into my teacher, Sensei Joe DeGuzman.  He asked how I was and I told him what happened to my back.  His next question was “when are you coming back to karate?”  I said previously that I had quit karate but that was not true. I only took a short break.

My answer- Tuesday.
Now you know when I see our students that have not been training I always ask the same question.
When are you coming back to karate.  It is a question that changed my life.

Kjn

Mom’s-let your kids be Black Belts

I couldn't have said it better myself, so instead let my friend, martial arts guru Tom Callos say it instead.

Kids who immerse themselves in martial arts practice don’t end up being the victims of bullies in school, they’re left alone, as bullies most usually pick on kids they know aren’t going to stand up for themselves. Kids who study the martial arts also usually end up being adults —who don’t get bullied in the workplace.


Kids who practice the martial arts hang out with teens and adults who practice the martial arts —and those are most often people who value physical exercise, good nutrition, calmness under pressure, and who set goals and methodically —and with no small amount of effort, —set out to achieve them. Not a bad crowd to hang out with at all.
Kids who study the martial arts often hear power words like “respect,” “courtesy,” “focus,” “compassion,” “kindness,” and “perseverance” 10,000 times more than any TV show or any amount of computer time provides in the same amount of time. Kids in the martial arts learn to put these words into action, too, in every practice session —and as a result, they often become the foundation for a lifetime of beliefs and practices.

Kids who practice the martial arts hear adults who practice martial arts saying things like, “If a picture is worth 1000 words, then an action is worth 1000 pictures,” and “If you can’t, then you must —and if you must, then you will,” and ““The ultimate aim of the martial arts lies not in victory nor defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants,” and “anger is an acid that does more harm to the vessel it is contained in than anything it is poured over” —and these ideas, kept in the mind and put to use, can, in one’s life, end up being absolute, concrete, worth their weight in gold game-changers.

Kids who practice the martial arts can grow up to be adults who write things like this —and who, nearly every day of the year, teach, coach, mentor, encourage, and motivate young people to not only look for and be their best, physically, mentally, and emotionally, but in how to take what they learn on the mats of their dojo —and put it to work in their lives, in their communities, in the world, to their own benefit and to the benefit of others.

Go ahead momma’s, let your babies grow up to be black beltsKids who practice the martial arts can grow up to be adults who write things like this —and who, nearly every day of the year, teach, coach, mentor, encourage, and motivate young people to not only look for and be their best, physically, mentally, and emotionally, but in how to take what they learn on the mats of their dojo —and put it to work in their lives, in their communities, in the world, to their own benefit and to the benefit of others.
Go ahead momma’s, let your babies grow up to be black belts.

Know when to sit out

I just read an article with a quote by martial arts legend Dan Inosanto that struck me and is relevant as Sbn Duethorn and I have been discussing this topic.

This is for older martial artists.

“The most difficult part of your training-

at this point in your life and going forward-

will be knowing when to sit out.”

When I had my knee replaced two years ago I showed my Doctor a photo of me stomp kicking through about two feet of concrete.  I told him I would let the young Black Belts do that now.

I no longer push myself to do bear crawls and crab walks.

I have long time martial arts friends who now do Asian archery and sword practice.  I can see why.

I can still kick head high after a good warmup with no pain or distress but I don’t do explosiveness drills like I used to.  I still kick and punch but don’t go crazy.

I do miss all the tournament prep and competition.  But now, I teach, coach, mentor and enjoy the ride.

Stay training, but warm up well and don’t try to keep up with the kid standing next to you.  Just impress them that harder is not always the best way.  You are light years ahead in health, fitness and fighting capabilities than other people our age

Yes, I am 66 and still love martial arts.

MB

Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee

Meeting Grandmaster Rhee was a fantastic experience.
Known as the Father of American Tae kwon do and inventor of safety equipment he made his mark in the martial arts world.

What impressed me the most was the question he asked at the beginning of his seminar.
What is the purpose of life?

”To be happy” he responded.

Grandmaster, I will never forget.

Grandmaster Kim, Song Ki