2012-366 Day 3 – Karate

So as you probably gathered from my New Year’s post (if you haven’t seen it yet, it’s here), I have joined a Karate studio and have started working my way up the ranks. It was a rather sudden decision, as an impromptu invitation from a friend met with a “that’s not a bad idea” rather than the “are you kidding” they were probably expecting. In actuality, Karate and I have had a bit of a history (which I will briefly – you’re welcome – relate here) and it is one of the past times I truly enjoy.

First, the history. This will be my third different style and fourth different dojo over the course of 31 years. The first style and two dojos were when I was a kid, as I made it to the second belt in Tae Kwon Do twice at two different locations. For whatever reason (I honestly don’t remember, but most likely it had to do with baseball and umpiring), neither place stuck and I was out before my teens. While the memories are not all that clear, I feel I can trace a fundamental appreciation for order, respect, and self-control to the frameworks offered by my early Karate experiences.

In fact, those feelings were strong enough that when looking at an extra class to take in Spring 2001 (yes, I looked that up on my transcript), I decided to try KIN 130A (helpfully titled Karate I). The style taught in the class was called Shotokan, and I also joined the CSUN Karate club for additional class time and training. I stuck with it through the summer, took KIN 130B (Karate II) in the Fall and achieved a Blue belt on my final test before stopping to finish my Undergrad work. I might have continued with the training, but I took 21 units my last semester (Spring 2002) which left little time for extracurriculars. There was a great group of helpful upper belts and a tough on the surface, but kind underneath Sensei that made classes a lot of fun while still providing excellent training. Sadly, one of the younger (late 20’s) black belts died due to a surprise heart condition around the time I left, and the group I was training with drifted apart.

I hadn’t thought about doing any sort of Karate again at all until a mid-November day where we were hanging out after church (and our friend Allison’s baptism, whose story probably deserves its own blog post down the road). Our friend Brandon Kemmer (unless I’m in the studio, then it’s Master K) owns a studio (http://www.karateedge.com/ – Cutting Edge Karate, check it out and tell them I sent you) and I had not given it any thought, until Allison’s husband Chad looks at me and says, “My brother Kyle and I are starting classes, and you should come too.” After determining the time and the finances worked, I showed up that Thursday for my first class.

Coming up on two months in and I’ve been to every Thursday class (taught by the awesome Mr. Wierman) and a little over half the Saturday classes (a couple out of town trips getting in the way) and I’m feeling pretty well prepared for my first test coming up this Saturday. It feels good to be getting back to my roots, and the cardio and flexibility benefits definitely are helpful. I think it’s high time I complete this journey and earn myself a Black Belt, and I intend to enjoy the ride.

Weight: Coming soon, haven’t weighed myself yet this year.
Yearly Mileage: 2 miles
Current Belt: White – Next Belt: Purple – Next Test Date: 1/7/12