I never expected that I would be following karate as a sport. I never thought my own daughters would be learning to FIGHT and that I would ENJOY it. Those two words just don't belong in a sentence together. HOWEVER, when given a choice of which sport to try at the YMCA in March, both girls picked karate. Andrea didn't care for it and dropped out after the first session. Amber, on the other hand, really found something that suits her. The instructor said he sees Amber having a lot of potential in competitions.
This past Saturday Amber tested for her first colored belt. This is her in "ready" stance. There is a Japenese word for this stance that my 8-year-old can tell you. I have no idea what these people are saying. It all sounds the same to me. It's amazing that not only is she learning a sport, but she is learning a language, too. The instructor gives all of the directions using Japanese. I LOVE how much the students learn in such a short time- and they don't even know they are learning!
Part of the test is 5 step sparring. At this level the children are not actually touching each other. They call out where they are going to punch or kick and the other person does the appropriate block for that move. If Amber passed the test she will have a yellow belt. She is now a member of the Arizona Karate Association as well as the group that is registered in Japan. It is incredibly cool to know that my child's accomplishment is registered in the very place this type of karate was developed.
Part of the test is 5 step sparring. At this level the children are not actually touching each other. They call out where they are going to punch or kick and the other person does the appropriate block for that move. If Amber passed the test she will have a yellow belt. She is now a member of the Arizona Karate Association as well as the group that is registered in Japan. It is incredibly cool to know that my child's accomplishment is registered in the very place this type of karate was developed. 
One of my favorite parts of this karate program is that the instructor himself does not give the belts. If you can see the man sitting at the table on the left, he is the instructor's instructor. He is 76-years-old and still teaches. He and two other judges do the scoring for the children. For the most part, he has no idea who these kids are. Of course, as they go up the ladder he will have seen them test before, but he does not have an emotional connection with the children the way their own instructor does. If they pass, they pass. If they fail, however, the children know it is because they were not prepared.
This all takes place at our local YMCA. The room they practice in is the aerobics studio, but when it's time for karate it IS a dojo. The students enter with the same respect they would anywhere else they were going to learn. They bow as they go in and when they come out. The best part of this class, I think, is the respect and honor the children pick up. The elders are important people and are treated as such. Higher ranking students are looked up to no matter their size or shape. I love it. Everything that is wrong with the world is transformed for these two hours a week.
6 comments:
My sister LOVED karate and was a natural at it. She actually ran a dojo and was a sensei at one point in her late teens. It's such a great activity to get involved in. I am so glad your daughter loves it!
That's so cool!! I am glad she's enjoying it and seems to be talented at it too!! Way to go, Amber!!
Andrea: That's great to know. Thank you! I will tell Amber about that to give her encouragement. Her sensei says she is a natural, too. I just wish I could get her to practice more at home.
Paula: Thank you! It is really cool.
That is wonderful, Karen. Martial arts had a wonderful effect on my son too. I completely relaxed when he was in that class. You're right, they don't let them mess around.
How cool! I think it is awesome when kids are passionate about something they are involved in. May she have great success in karate!
I have a feeling if we gave my Rylie a choice like that, she would choose karate too. LOL
Anne: That's great to hear that karate classes all over are similar. It really is great to know there is at least one place children are still expected to show respect.
LeeAnn: Thanks for the wishes for success. Amber's young, so I don't expect anything from her, but I do think she will go far if she chooses to. At this age we like to give the kids choices and see where it leads. You never know what they are going to fall in love with!
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