Sensei Julie Gets the Third Degree!
01/12/14 08:46
At the monthly black belt class in November, Sensei Julie was awarded her 3rd dan (third-degree black belt).
Just to make things interesting, I cancelled class that evening and took a bunch of our students to Markham so we could watch the ceremony.
We tried to be quiet when the black belts were bowing in, but they heard us and Sensei Julie turned around to see what the commotion was. The look on her face was priceless!
Her first expression communicated: “Why aren’t you teaching our class?”
The second one was even more interesting when it dawned on her why we were there. When he awarded her certificate, Sensei Manara said: “Eric, I think you might be in a bit of trouble over this one.”
It’s trouble that I’ll gladly put up with.
So congratulations Sensei Julie—love of my life and heart of our club!
Just to make things interesting, I cancelled class that evening and took a bunch of our students to Markham so we could watch the ceremony.
We tried to be quiet when the black belts were bowing in, but they heard us and Sensei Julie turned around to see what the commotion was. The look on her face was priceless!
The second one was even more interesting when it dawned on her why we were there. When he awarded her certificate, Sensei Manara said: “Eric, I think you might be in a bit of trouble over this one.”
It’s trouble that I’ll gladly put up with.
So congratulations Sensei Julie—love of my life and heart of our club!
A Full Effort
30/09/14 09:35
Why is a full effort important?
After all, we’ll do thousands of punches and kicks this year. We’ll practice kihon kata #1 hundreds of times.
What difference does it make if someone “coasts” through a workout?
Well, it makes all the difference.
I’ll be the first to admit that it’s impossible to put in 100% for every punch, kick and kata at every class. But it does make a difference if you try.
First, you’ll get out of karate what you put into it. If you try harder and work harder, you’ll simply get better. And you’ll enjoy it more.
Second, you’ll generally advance more quickly, especially at green belt and beyond. We will advance someone through orange belt without a full effort. After green belt, a half effort will likely double the time it takes you to get to your next belt.
And, as some of our students will tell you, if you don’t put in a full effort at shodan-ho, you will never be sent for your black belt ranking.
So put in a full effort. It’s only 1-1/2 hours three times a week. You’ll have more fun. We’ll have more fun teaching you. And everyone around you will also benefit.
Believe it or not, both laziness and hard work are contagious.
After all, we’ll do thousands of punches and kicks this year. We’ll practice kihon kata #1 hundreds of times.
What difference does it make if someone “coasts” through a workout?
Well, it makes all the difference.
I’ll be the first to admit that it’s impossible to put in 100% for every punch, kick and kata at every class. But it does make a difference if you try.
First, you’ll get out of karate what you put into it. If you try harder and work harder, you’ll simply get better. And you’ll enjoy it more.
Second, you’ll generally advance more quickly, especially at green belt and beyond. We will advance someone through orange belt without a full effort. After green belt, a half effort will likely double the time it takes you to get to your next belt.
And, as some of our students will tell you, if you don’t put in a full effort at shodan-ho, you will never be sent for your black belt ranking.
So put in a full effort. It’s only 1-1/2 hours three times a week. You’ll have more fun. We’ll have more fun teaching you. And everyone around you will also benefit.
Believe it or not, both laziness and hard work are contagious.