This is Paul, he’s just a bit shy...
His eyes peer at me from behind his mom’s leg, which he clutches dearly as if to protect him from the big ugly guy in the white pajamas. “How old are you Paul?” I ask, and without saying a word he touches his pinkie with his thumb to show me three fingers. After a little convincing from mom, he puts on the white uniform, leaves his mom’s side and enters the Dojo - the place of training. Although still a bit unsure, he follows along, learns some Karate moves, how to keep a good posture, and makes a few new friends. This is Paul’s first Karate class.
A few months down the road, little Paul comes to me before class and asks: “Sensei, can I do the warm-ups today?” With great satisfaction I assent, and little Paul goes on to lead the whole class through jumping jacks, stretches, push-ups, sit-ups and more. Of course it is not the push-ups and the sit-ups (which he does very well) that make me proud of him. It is the incredible transformation and personality shift that Paul has experienced in such a short time that brings a smile to my face, as I watch him leading the class.
Paul is not one particular student, but in many ways, Paul is every one of our students, children and adults, who experience amazing mental and physical growth through our training. Whether it is “Paul” gaining confidence to lead, or an adult student telling me how he has gone down 3 pant sizes in the last few weeks, our students and their achievements are the reason we exist.
Colorado Karate Club is helping to build our community by instilling in our members strong values of discipline and respect, along with a healthier way of life through fitness and nutrition.
Sensei Willy Strohmeier founded Colorado Karate Club in 2005 and has taught traditional Shotokan karate to children and adults in Brighton and Westminster, Colorado, ever since, and writes a monthly column for The Brighton Buzz. More about CKC