By Nicholas Julian
This year my grandma gave me karate lessons for my birthday. I am taking lessons at Thousand Islands Martial Arts in Brockville
At the dojo we learn sparring, self defence, Kata and Karate basics.
My teachers are called Sensei's. I have had 3 different Sensei's so far Sensei Noonan, Sensei Aikman, Sensei Shaver and the Dojo is owned by Sensei Valerie Cummings. My Favorite Sensei is Sensei Noonan because he is very fun...he teases and jokes around with the kids and even comes to watch our lessons when he is not teaching. Sensei Valerie is very nice and I like seeing her and chatting with her everytime I go to the Dojo.
Beginners, like me, start out with a white belt. There are 10 levels to reach black belt, which is the highest belt available. The order of the belts are: white, yellow, orange, green, purple, blue, red, 1st Brown, 2nd Brown, 3rd brown then Black. The time between belts (White to Yellow, etc) is between 3 to 5 months. From Brown to Black, normally, is 1 or more years. The usual length of time to reach Black Belt is 4 or more years.
In order to reach my yellow belt there are a number of skills that I have to master, before I go for grading with one of my Senseis. I have to learn 6 stances, 3 punches, 2blocks, 1 kick, 2 defenses , a Kata routine called Taikiyoku Shodan, and learn to count to 10 in Japanese. I have been learning how to count to 10 in Japanese, and this is how you do it: ICHI, NI, SAN, SHI, GO, ROKU, SHICHI, HACHI, KYU, JU.
I have enjoyed going to Karate, and have tried to go at least 3 times per week. I have made some new friends from my class at school.
My sister and dad want to join now too, because they have seen how much fun it is! Karate is not just good exercise ;it is really fu way to spend the evening. I am looking to going to Karate for many years to come.