Parents Views

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Parents Views

My boys started taking karate when they were about 4 years old back in New Hampshire. At the time, they joined the local Shaolin Kenpo Karate Studio. In early 2000, we moved down to DE, and that's when I started searching for a karate school that would provide both well-defined principles and an environment conducive to learning for small children. After weeks of asking around and doing some research, I found NKK. It only took a couple of classes to notice the difference between the old school in NH and NKK. For one thing, the attention to detail and time spent on basics (stances, foot maneuvers, hands, vocabulary, etc.) had an impact on both Rafael and Sebastian. Even at their early age, they began to grasp that fundamentals are key if they wanted to better themselves, and that learning their basics well is what makes (AKKI) Kenpo different and better. Rafael & Sebastian got hooked on the style immediately, and learned to appreciate the dedication all the instructors have to teaching the art of Kenpo to the best of their ability and knowledge.

In early 2006, we moved to PA more than hour away from NKK. After doing the commute every week, we had to make the difficult decision to try to find a new Kenpo school. Believe me when I tell you that we all knew it was going to be different (and it was!!), and that the grass wasn't going to be greener on the other side. Rafael & Sebastian began going to class at the Kenpo School in Doylestown, PA (which will remain nameless as a professional courtesy). Don't get me wrong! The folks there were great with kids, but that was just about it. Not too long after joining the school there, Rafael made a comment saying that he felt this was a set back for him, and that he felt he wasn't really learning anything new. When the senior instructor first looked at Rafael & Sebastian, he said to me he wanted to clone them, and that their basics were solid. He even said that many of things they knew were only taught in their adult curriculum. At that point, I wasn't sure if I should feel flattered or worried. Nevertheless, we kept on going (for about 2 months) until one night I actually got so frustrated (not once in the 2 months we were there did I hear any mention about basics) I picked up the phone and called NKK. Ms. Marlene answered, and I explained our situation, and literally begged her to sit down and try to come up with a plan for the boys that would work with my schedule. Needless to say, Ms. Kathy built a customized training plan for the boys that would allow them to come back and resume their training at NKK. The way they were received by the instructors their first time back made a positive impact on Rafael and Sebastian. It made them feel appreciated and valued, and that they/we are part of the NKK family.

It's now been a few months since we came back. Rafael is a Green Belt, and Sebastian just tested for his next rank (Green) also.

My boys have and will continue to play other sports, but karate has been the activity that's stayed constant in their lives. They know that there are no time lines established, although their goal is clear: to earn their Black Belts. One of the behaviors we try to instill in them is that you� always finish what you�ve started. You don�t come half way, and then quit.

I'm proud of my boys & their commitment, and I'm proud of NKK. Come and see for yourself, and you'll understand what I'm talking about.

Luis Silva

Karate Mom and Student Always Seeking Time to Practice Karate

As a Karate Mom and Student always seeking time to practice Karate, there never seems to be enough time to do all those things we need to do, never mind the things we want to do. And for me, Karate falls somewhere in there; in between need and want.

As a parent, I started by watching my oldest daughter taking her Karate classes, beginning in the Tiger Program some four years ago. After two years, I began to get the itch to take Karate myself, thinking, "Hmmm. I could do this. Maybe I could do this." I was at a time in my life where I wanted to do something for myself, outside of taking care of my family and my household responsibilities. I knew it would probably be challenging and require some time juggling, besides a commitment to myself. Boy, was I right!

When I'm not super duper pressed for time and other appointments, I'll get out on the floor and practice with my daughters, in between their classes. Many times, I'm just too tired, so I drag out my "should be reading" books while my girls are in class. I haven't finished any of my Ed Parker books cover to cover, but their pages are sure getting worn and bent from numerous twenty minute scans. I constantly wonder �How will I ever remember all this stuff?

Often I've watched my daughters practice their techniques with just their arms and hands while sitting in the car as we're rushing on our way somewhere. And then, just the other night, one of my Kenpo instructors talked to the class about how to find those moments of practice, those bits and pieces throughout our hectic busy days. Even practicing one's techniques or forms via the mind's eye is practice time, reinforcing those things we are trying so desperately to remember and then fine tune when we do hit the floor for class. Wow! So my daughters somehow knew this intuitively!

Sometimes I groan and my cheeks turn red when my instructors give me the "hairy eyeball" look when they know and I know, I haven't practiced like I should have this past week. It's a never-ending process to practice my Karate and a commitment to myself to find and make the time to do it. It's a challenge, sure. But I know that when I do manage to find the time, the rewards and the enjoyment make it all worthwhile.

Margaret Brown

Knowing that Karate is not for everyone, we watched and hoped that Sara would take to it and develop that interest. Sara is now in her fourth year and I can see it happening again. The demeanor, the ability to focus, that quiet confidence being developed over time. She is not there yet but I see it just like I did with my nieces before.

Last August we enrolled our son, Karl. The jury is still out on whether Karate is his cup of tea or not. His personality is quite different from Sara's. Only time will tell.

Today after all this time, I finally attended my first Karate Tournament. I was impressed with how the Newark Kenpo Karate students compared to their competition. It was obvious to me that our kids are receiving the highest quality instruction. I encourage all the instructors to keep up the good work.

From our point of view, we believe that the real value of Karate is not the belts, medals and trophies, but what it does for your inner self, as I have feebly attempted to describe here.

Todd Anderson

THE ONE HUNDRED POUND SPARRING GEAR

I hope you enjoyed my last article on Another Parent's View. As I get further into this thing called Karate, I learn more, and I overcome more of my fears associated with it.

Being in sales, there is a term all salespeople are familiar with, the 100 lb. phone. Picking up that phone and calling potential customers can sometimes be frightening even after doing it for many years. I still get it even after doing this job for over 16 years.

That's how I felt about sparring. I was scared to death. Afraid of what you might ask. Well to put it in a nutshell, I was afraid of getting hurt. All I could picture was getting my tooth knocked out or getting slammed in the stomach, and neither appealed to me.

Well, I realized, just like the 100 lb. phone, you just have to pick up that phone and do it.

I approached sparring in the same way (eventually). I made up my mind when I was going to do it and because I made the mistake of telling a few people when this was, I had to do it.

Guess what? It wasn't so bad. I even kind of liked it. I didn't get hurt either. There is one downside for us ladies, however, be prepared for how awful you are going to look after you remove that headgear. The worst Hathead I've ever seen in my life!

So for all of you who are scared...JUST DO IT!!!

Arlene Johnson

Karate? Karate for a four year old? Those were my thoughts. I had never considered Karate for my son (Tyler). Although from the day he was born he has jumped, punched, kicked, chopped, rammed, and slammed everything close to him. A member of my church mentioned their son was the same way, but once he became involved in sports he was fine. So, I began my search for sports for four-year-olds. The only thing I could find at the time was gymnastics and after viewing a class I knew it would not be enough.

Finally, a neighbor mentioned their four-year-old was taking Karate at a school in Newark, and she invited us to attend a class. She also mentioned a free trial lesson. Tyler tried it, liked it, and we have been here since October of 1999.

You are probably wondering how Karate has helped him. Well, I immediately saw a drop in his energy level at home. I have recently seen a remarkable difference in his attitude. He seems able to control himself more, and pays attention in karate and school. He has always received excellent grades, but his conduct has been suspect. This year he received the grade of outstanding in all of his conduct areas along with his straight A's in academics.

For me, it provides time for us to spend together. I watch the techniques and forms performed in class and many times Tyler looks to me to help sharpen his skills. We have a lot of fun. But, more than anything else the ideas and morals shared by myself I have heard Miss Kathy and Miss Marlene share with Tyler. Things like honesty, courage, perseverance, practicing, doing your best and good sportsmanship.

He really likes teaching others and his desire is to be a Black Belt. My desire is for him to teach Karate as a means to send himself through college.

Rob Jenkins