How Karate Influenced Me
The best answer to this question lies in the response from a student. Each student testing for their Black Belt at JK Martial Arts is required to write a paper answering this question. The papers are as remarkable as the students. This is why I am featuring the response by Jacob in this blog.
“I can’t do it!” I whined. I was at a summer camp called Cathedral of the Pines. I was playing softball on the second to last day. I had already been injured multiple times swimming and playing softball, so I wasn’t very excited.
The ball come at me and hit me in the arm. It hit hard, as I accidentally walked straight into its path to second base, trying to avoid it. A counselor walked me down to the nurse’s office, me whining all the way.
I was probably really annoying, now that I think about it. But that’s not important. I thought I couldn’t play. And this wasn’t just because I didn’t play often; it was also because of my eyesight: 20/100.
I was poor at catching because I couldn’t see the ball. I was a weak hitter because I didn’t see it coming. I was lousy in the field and mediocre running. But this wasn’t the only sport. I’ve found that whenever I try a sport, I get hurt, or I am terrible at it, and never have fun, UNTIL KARATE at JK Martial Arts.
In karate, I didn’t have to see. I just had to have power and form. I didn’t need to be the first to get it done, I just had to finish. I didn’t have to beat everyone else because we were all a team. If I needed help, even in the middle of class, someone would work through it with me.
And for the first time while playing a sport, I was happy and focused.
Even to me, I seem to have reached my black belt test quicker than expected. It’s true, I’m very nervous, but also very excited.
It’s because ….. I can truthfully say I am great at a sport.
Jacob continues to attend classes and assists with teaching.
See more testimonials throughout the website.