"Karate has taught me not to give up so when I'm running, swimming, biking or whatever, I have learned not to give up. I think of the things achieved with karate. I enjoy the karate tournaments that we go to. Not every time have I done well, but then I know not to give up and to try harder the next time.
I like the satisfaction of knowing that I have gotten this far and that I can protect myself. A lot of my friends took sports, but they have already given up. I have stuck with karate and I plan to stick with it. When you work hard, don't give up it makes you feel real good. Having that feeling reminds you that you can feel that way again by always trying to do your best.
Karate is a big part of my life. The karate instructors have always said that karate is a lifestyle. Now I realize what they mean, and that it is also a part of my families lifestyles too. My family thinks that it is so cool that I am going to get my black belt and that I am only thirteen.
When I do well, or not so well, my family is there to encourage me to go on and that I will do better next time.
I have gained new friends at karate. So every time I'm with them at karate, it makes it that much more special. Karate is a part of my life.
Karate has helped me with self-discipline. Self-discipline helps me choose the right decisions. Not only does it teach you how to make decisions, but it helps you to make the right decisions.
Karate helps with school. It helps to discipline us so that we don't goof off.
It seems like I have more respect for other people since I feel good about myself. It makes me have more respect for my parents, adults and older people.
I like karate because it is a challenge. Sometimes you might feel like stopping but you can't. I keep on going because if I stop I wont reach the top. You cant work hard for three to four years and then just stop. All that hard work would be down the drain and for nothing. You have nothing to show for all of the hard work you did on karate. Some kids drop out when they are a brown belt. They are so close. Karate is a challenge, but you cant stop every time it gets hard. Getting you black belt is an award. Why would you want to stop?
You have to push yourself and see how far you can go. Plus you made a commitment to get your black belt when you got your white belt. If your are not trying you are only wasting all of your time.
Karate give me something to do that I like, makes me feel better about myself. But most of all, it makes me feel good that I am good at something like karate even if it is hard work. All o f the hard work and effort will pay of on the day that I can put a black belt around my waist. "
“It started out, really, I didn't expect to go too far with martial arts. I'd go in there and Mr. Ramser was my first instructor. He looked a lot like me when I was going to grow up, blonde hair, blue eyes, all that stuff. And I felt like, "Yeah, I could be like him."
I really thought it was just going to be some kind of fun activity. It didn't really mean too much to me.
And then, as I kept going, it just consumed my every moment, except for when I was at school. All my friends are in martial arts, all my friends trained at the same school with me. If I was hanging out with somebody after school or on the weekends, it was always somebody from the karate school.
So it just became my life and then just learning, with the goal-setting that is part of the program, one of those things that everybody sets when they first start here is black belt. And then along the way, you just become that. It really does just become your goal, especially as a little kid.
You hear it all the time, and then all of a sudden you realize how you've set it.”
Kyle Galloway, Thornton, CO
Karate has helped me in my schooling and my home life. After taking for a year I learned to get up early, take a shower, and have time for breakfast before going to school. I also begin to go to bed earlier instead of staying up late at night. My teachers noticed that I was being more focused on my school work, just like the instructors are always telling us at Mile High.
Karate has helped me to know a little bit about myself and also some of the goals that I would like to accomplish. I really believe that karate has helped me to be more careful about myself and others, also. I have learned to value what I have and to regard other people's things. I have learned to respect adults and show them proper courtesy. I am even more kind to my little brothers. I have learned to study and do my school homework in a better way and to be proud of getting better grades. I had to be told many times to do my homework before I went out of the house to play. Now I do that before play or the TV comes on. I know that to be good in school or in the field of karate that it takes a lot of practice and lots of hard work. You can't start something and then quit when it becomes hard. After I started into karate my school grades began to go up and I found out that the harder I studied, the easier some of the subjects became.
My teachers in school notice the difference in my attitude and my desire to learn and work harder. I have learned to do certain duties around the house. Since I joined Mile Hi I have told others about karate and even got four other people to join.
With my knowledge of karate, I have been able to change my fear of becoming a victim, keep it from overbearing my life, and channel it into constructive use.
Karate has influenced every part of my life. The most tangible benefit is the physical improvement. My body is in the best shape it has ever been in. My friends continuously compliment me on the weight I have lost (they are quite surprised when I tell them I haven't lost any weight, just reshaped my physique) what an ego booster! I have to mention, I was never one for athletics.
Other benefits of karate is a strong community. I love to socialize. The schools have offered many different settings (classes, tournaments, seminars, community projects, demonstrations, picnics, etc.) for my extrovert personality to enjoy meeting a diverse group of people. Both young and old, all share a common interest, making it a unique community. I have made several good friends through the years, not to mention found an awesome hairdresser.
I use the techniques I have learned at karate for teaching my patients. I use the praise, correct, praise method to instruct patients in areas such as self-administering insulin or other injections, central line care, breathing treatments, etc. Knowing these teaching skills has strongly influenced all areas of patient teaching. I also jumped two positions on the job scale. The leadership skills I have acquired through karate are serving as a wonderful tool towards my career advancement.
Karate has changed my life. Karate is more than learning katas, sparring and seeing who can kick the highest. The study of martial arts is the study of principles. I see it has given me opportunity to live the best I can be. As we say in our black belt creed, "modesty, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit." I have made steps closer to living this way as seen in my previous life changes. I no longer perceive karate as a sport but as a guide for a better way of life.
So back in 1986 had anyone told me that I would be receiving my black belt in karate I probably would have laughed at them. I surprised many people by joining, even myself. Yet, I knew I had drive and ambition, I just needed a little nudge in the right direction. Yet in retrospect, had I known how much of a positive influence it had on me, I would have joined the summer of 1986.
Karate has calmed me down a lot. Karate has also boosted my self-confidence level. Karate has motivated me a lot because know I do not let my work go undone. My homework also gets done and turned in on time. Karate has also taught me to stand up in front of an audience and talk or perform plus to not get really sick before I get in front of people.
Karate has given me very good indurance, along with physical stamina. It has taught me control and discipline. Lastly it has taught me about my aditude. Being disciplined has taught me to show respect pretty much. But I did eventually. It was also hard for me to show respect to people that I had zero respect for. Through discipline I was taught to listen to them and respect what they were saying and not to argue with them. Showing respect would not have been possible for me if I was not disciplined.
Karate has taught me several new fighting techniques and it has given me great confidence in my fight ability.
Getting to the point where I am now, it has had its ups and downs. Through writing this essay I have seen that I have accomplised a lot, and I am proud of what I have done, and I hope to continue my success with Mile High Karate.
I have self-esteem and I didn't' have this before. I have also gained back my self acceptance and respect. I have also gained skills in self awarness in that I now know who I am and where I want to go. I understand myself and am now setting goals.
I always try for high self-expectancy , and try to do my best at all times in all areas of my life. If I give 100%, I will succeed, but if I don't, I will not be easily frustrated - because "effort is success."
I have also learned that I have to take the responsibility for any of the decisions I make in life, whether they are good or bad.
Discipline is very important as it helps me to focus on the successes of my activities.
I now have better overall attitude and have learned how to have a better overall attitude or optimism and enthusiasm.
I know that I will, with my changed attitude, usually get what I want in the long run.
I have come a long way in the area of self-motivation and I believe that this is a strong factor in my life. Self-motivation lets me dwell on the successes and not with any failures.
I try to always move in the direction of strong thoughts and to also visualize my desires while limiting my fears.
I feel that I have grown in the area of my self-image as well and have learned that by changing your self-image, you can develop success, growth, achievement and winning as your outcome.
I have learned that what I see as real, becomes our version of reality.
I have learned to define and set goals and refer to them on a daily basis. This goal setting not only works with karate, but as well in my personal life. I find that I can make better decisions when I have set a goal and have met it.
I am working on my self projection to be the best I can by. I know that people look at me, the way that I talk, the way I dress, the way that I act and I want them to see a changed person from the way I was before karate .
By becoming involved with karate , a person can change the direction that their lives are going and not even notice the changes that are happening. It is a day by day process that gradually changes your life.
Karate, has done so many things for me that I don't know just where to start. If you do the right things in the training of your body for fitness, you will see great results.
It is nice to know that you can gain flexibility and strong muscles by doing something that is good for you and that you can still have fun doing it.
Physically, karate , has helped me with other activities outside the school. I find that I can last longer when I'm skiing. My legs don't get as tired as they did before. Also, I can ski for longer periods of time because of the strength in my legs.
I was born with chronic asthma and all my life I have had trouble with my breathing if I became overtired. Since I have been in the karate program, all of the physical activities I do to make myself healthier have really helped me. I find now that I can do more things and not have hardly any breathing problems.
Also, now when I play soft-ball, my body seems more able to react to the plays faster and I can really play with more speed and confidence.
I also think my thinking is sharper because of all the memorization we have to do to get to the next higher belt level.
Karate , has also helped my in stress relief. It seems when you have had a bad day at work, you can go to class and work out all your troubles.
It seems like I can deal better with stress better than I did before. My attitude has changed and the things that used to bother before, now don't seem to important.
I feel my communication skills have also improved and that I can get up in front of people a lot easier. It helps to get up in front of people in class and lead out in the different areas.
I can also deal more effectively with my peers at work as well as my supervisors, because I have more self-esteem and more confidence.
I have also learned that I am a winner and no matter what happens in the intramurals, that I am still a winner , and that I will use this experience as a learning tool to do better next time.
I know that by doing something positive for myself, more people around me will notice the difference in me and will have more respect because they will realize the hard work I have put into making myself a better person.
I find that as I grow in my skills and become better and better in doing my combinations, I feel like I can help out with the lower belt ranks. In helping them, it makes both of us better.
Karate also teaches you respect for others - even for those who are younger than you. They have put in a lot of hard work in getting to where they are and I admire and respect them for that. They have achieved the ultimate goal which is black belt excellence .
I have come a long way from the person who wanted to party all the time top the person I am today. I still have some of these friends, but now I choose to live my life differently than they do. There have been times that I feel that they really do notice the changes in me, but do not say anything.
I will always remember our student creed which is
I develop myself physically and mentally based on the Mile High Karate spirit.
I will only fight to protect my life and the lives of others.
I will achieve my fullest potential in developing knowledge, honesty and strength.
And I will continue to use this creed as I go through life.
When I first started karate my grades were terrible four years ago, and still three years had past and I still had very poor grades. Till this last year when my grades made a drastic jump from F's to B's. I can thank karate for helping me to get the will to keep on trying and it finally paid off.
I have a few friends in karate which I would have never meet if I never was in martial arts, and I'm a bit more talkative then I ever was before I joined karate but I'm not sure if that's just maturing or that since I'm around more people I half to be, its sort of hard to not talk to anybody after you spared or worked out with them.
Parents: Gradually, we have seen improvements. The very first year we saw an improvement at school in terms of attitude and effort, of course his grades did not greatly improve, still we were pleased. He had started trying again.
Last year, his freshman year at Arapahoe high school, Greg's grades improved dramatically. Greg is telling me that it is important to get his grades up. He is still quiet and reflective but I believe he is becoming his own man. He actually seemed to enjoy doing some of his homework last year. He has several friends (nice boys) but he is not overly influenced by them. School is still a challenge but he seems to be accepting and even enjoying the process.
Karate has done a lot for me ever since I started three years ago. Before I started karate I was always really bored and I wanted something to do. When I started karate I always had something to do. It kept me very busy but it never interfered with the other things I did such as school sports, babysitting, or just fun things I did with my friends or with my family. It wasn't like a boring job that I had to go to. I looked forward to it every time I went. The classes are always fun and you are always kept busy in class. And you always learn something new and you get to practice on your forms or combinations. Leadership is even fun. You get to teach belts lower then you their forms and their combinations. But if you aren't teaching them their forms or combinations, you're teaching them how to kick or punch properly. Sometimes you might have ten lower belts to teach or sometimes you just might have one or two. It has helped me a lot and glad that I started at Stephen Oliver's Mile High Karate.
I felt great about myself for the first time in a long time. With everything that I have learned in class I have grown to know that I can do anything. I am now going into fourth grade. Last fall in September 1993 I was taken out of special education. After being taken out of special education last fall I brought home only A's and B's all year. Since joining the Master Club I have advanced a belt a month. I can write better and I have learned to concentrate better putting what is not as important out of my mind. I have a great memory and that I realized threw doing forms. Justin Jacoby especially has encouraged me that I can do anything I put my mind to. I used to be treated differently at school now I get treated like everyone else. I use a computer for my writing but I am getting better with my writing when I do write. I am more self confident at school. I participate more in class. I feel good about myself. The other kids look up to me. My teacher likes what karate has done for me too. She wishes more kids were taking karate at a program like this, because of the good it has done for me. I am also no longer in occupational therapy because karate has done so much for my gross and fine motor ability. Before I used to run into things and fall alot because I did not know where my body was in space. Now I am even good at other spots and am chosen first by my classmates for team sports.
Mile High Karate has done so much for me. I am now happy again. I am doing good in school. I like how I feel. I am healthy and feel great. I am not scared anymore. I feel better about my parents and our family is closer. Joshua and I are closer then we ever have been. We workout together everyday and help each other with our karate. We also support each other at school. We have alot of fun together but we also help each other when we need to be serious. We have learned through karate to respect each other again.
The method of teaching used by the black belt instructors, as well as by the higher belts, exhibited a constant emphasis of positive attitude and encouragement which was demonstrated and voiced to all the students. The key item which impressed me the most as I observed the classes, was the motivational talks given by the instructors at the classes. These discussions focused on positive self esteem, goal setting and reaching those goals we set for ourselves in our lives.
The karate and self defense training I have received, as well as the kick and punch combinations I have learned over the past three years, has helped me develop new levels of self confidence, a confidence instilled in me by the Mile High Karate attitudes and training.
The training at Mile High Karate has taught me not to be wary of my expectations, but to set expectations that are higher than any I have ever set before.
The Mile High Karate lessons and experiences have provided me with all the tools fro success in overcoming adversity and the confidence to put my trust in my abilities.
The lessons and the experiences have been outstanding and will serve me well every day and well into my future.
Karate has helped me athletically and mentally. It has helped me feel much stronger and much more healthy and it has also helped me understand that if I put my mind to it I an do it. Karate has also helped me understand that if anyone tries to hurt me I can defend myself.
Before joining karate I was scared to talk in front of a group of people. Since joining karate it has been easier to talk in front of the class. I guess it gets easier each time you do something that used to make you scared.
Karate has helped me dramatically. It has made me a better person and it has improved my physical strength. I feel that if I had not gotten involved in karate I probably would not be where I am today. Karate has helped me in Physical Education at school. I was able to do push-ups, jumping jacks and sit-ups better than most girls and some of the boys in my class. Some people in class would complain about how hard it was to do ten push-ups or ten sit-ups. I felt good about myself because it was easier for me than for most of the kids at school. I don't think I would be able to do the things I can do today without the physical strength I have developed while taking karate.
SWAT team has also helped me dramatically. During the years before joining karate and before beginning to teach classes I was very shy. I hated talking in front of groups of people. I would be very nervous in front of people and I would sometimes make a fool of myself by forgetting what I was supposed to say or I would get really embarrassed. I feel healthy and full of energy and I don't get sick as often anymore. That makes me happy and makes me feel really good about myself.
What karate has done for me is it has teached me discipline, self defense, and how to help with the community.
Discipline - karate has teached me the kind of discipline to become a winner in every way. I have successfully defined my goals that are worthy to me. I have found a purpose in life with self-discipline to be a winner. I have constantly defined my plans and purposes. Also, I have improved my attitude by thinking more positive and not talking back to everyone every time I don't agree with them.
Community - Karate has helped me with the community and care for people who are in need. In the walk for children, karate helped me to realize that there are disabled people that need our help. I think to help the future, karate has helped me join in.
Karate in another way has helped me too. Like for instance, it raised my standards, and strategy of thinking. It has changed my life impact such as how to create lasting improvements in the quality of my life and I can make better decisions making by committing to achieve a result. I have known how to create conviction and it is by emotional intensely linking to an idea. I have found a meaning of life because by taking karate is a meaning I am giving it.
It has helped me to commit myself on getting my black belt. It has also teached me to think like a winner and be a winner. I have learned self control.
Well alot has changed since that first introductory class back a year and a half ago. I am doing great in school in fact I only get A's and B's. I am respectful in school and I work hard and really care about my studies. I no longer hang around with the bad crowds because I remember what Master Oliver said once that "you cannot fly with the eagles if you hang out with a bunch of turkeys."
The biggest thing that Mile High Karate has done for me is how it has changed the way I feel about myself and the people around me. I like myself. I am good at sports now and other kids want me on their team. I have a lot of really neat friend both in and outside of Mile High Karate.
I feel good about myself and I know I can help others. I love to help other kids with their karate. I feel good sharing what I have learned. I have been told by parents that I do a good job and that makes me feel great too. Helping teach karate has also helped me to know that I can be with and help other people both older and younger then myself. I know that if I was ever in a situation where someone wanted to hurt me and I had to I could defend myself.
During the three years that I have been in karate I have grown and changed a lot. I am proud of the changes I have made. I have told about the changes in my essay.
This is what karate has done for my body. My strength has increased because of the muscles I have developed. I can lift heavy things and work hard helping my parents. In developing my muscles, stretching has been important. I have learned to stretch every day especially before sports activities.
At school, I am one of the best in p.e.; I think this is from karate. Karate has increased my willingness to try new, fun things like roller blading, skate boarding, biking, skiing and other sports.
I started karate when I was six. My coordination has gone way up! Before I started karate, I could barely roller skate and ride a bike. Now I can do more than that! My ability to leap has gone from fifty to one hundred and ten percent. My endurance to stick with whatever I am doing has increased.
In karate, I have learned how to set goals for myself and reach them. At school, I set a goal for myself to achieve good grades. By paying attention, working hard and trying my best, I do good school work and get good grades.
Karate has made a difference in my life at school. It has helped me maintain good grades. I set goals for getting my school work and homework done. Other class activities and students don't distract me. Karate has taught me to concentrate and focus on what I am doing.
Karate has given me confidence to do my best in p.e. class.
Karate has helped develop strong leg muscles for jumping and running in basketball. In football, karate has helped my coordination going side-to-side in dodging people. Karate has helped me want to win but in a fair way.
Karate has helped me make lots of friends everywhere.
Karate has helped me develop an attitude which doesn't let me get discouraged in reaching my goals.
Karate has helped me maintain a positive attitude. I know that if you think you can do it, you can!
Karate has helped me learn self-confidence. Karate has helped me learn self-control. I can limit the amount of unhealthy food I eat. Karate has helped me learn self-control by helping me learn that I am the only one who can tell my body what to do and think.
Karate has done a lot for me. It has changed my life so much by adjusting my attitude to where I don't get mad at what people say or do to me. Before I started karate I had a short wick on my temper but now I can channel all that excess energy into better things than beating on people. Another way karate has helped me is in my self confidence. My self esteem was so low that I wouldn't even try anymore. I didn't want to do things like my homework, relate to my fellow classmates, and do what my teacher asked me to do, but now I know I can do it. Karate has motivated me. Now I do all my work that I need to get done and before I started karate I would just blow things off and didn't care about it. Karate has taught me to set goals that I can achieve in the near future, as well as providing me with long term goals.
Karate has taught me confidence in self defense. This confidence is not only with sparring but karate has taught me to be confident when speaking to other people. I have learned that if I look people in the eye and really concentrate on what they are saying to me, I understand them better and they understand me better to.
Karate has helped me get very good conditioning. Karate has helped me overcome many fears. Much of what karate has done for me can be said through these winning traits.
Positive self esteem: Karate has provided opportunities for me to feel good about myself and my self esteem has improved a lot. As my self esteem improves, more opportunities are there for my self esteem to improve even more. Since I started karate a Mile High I have learned that I can do anything if I want to enough. I have the ability if it is something I want.
Positive self awareness: I am aware of my appearance, my posture and what this can mean to me. I am also more aware of my surroundings.
Positive self control: karate has taught me how important it is to stay in control and that nobody can control my feelings but me. It has also taught me not to blame my mistakes on someone else but to accept it myself.
Positive self discipline: Positive self discipline has helped me to discipline my thoughts. It has helped me be more organized. I feel bad when I fall behind at school or don't do something that I know I should do. I am constantly trying to discipline myself better. I have been able to discipline myself to practice karate at home without being asked by my dad. I also do my homework as soon as I get home without being asked.
Positive self motivation: This has helped me motivate myself to get my work done in school instead of bringing it home for homework. I am motivated to set high goals and motivated to work to achieve them.
Positive self expectancy: Since starting karate I have learned to expect more from myself that I did before I started karate. I set myself on new and higher standards. I have learned that if you set easy goals you will not achieve your fullest potential. I believe in myself so I have come to expect a lot from myself. I expect positive outcomes from my challenges. I've learned that if you expect bad things to happen, bad things will happen. Just like if you expect positive things to happen, then positive things will happen for you.
Positive self image: Positive self image has helped me to realize that your own self image is adjusted by your subconscious level of thinking. Therefore you must visualize yourself constantly as a winner never a loser. This has helped me because when I get into new situations, I see myself as a winner and winning and I know this has made me more successful.
Positive self projection: I have learned to project my best everyday. I know this has helped me because I always want to be my best and people compliment me on how I present myself. I know that I am making a good impression.
In general karate has allowed me to see things about myself that I did not know existed. I did not know I had the ability to overcome my fears. I did not know how important it is to protect yourself as a winner and how people react to you. I didn't know how easy it is to be a winner if you believe in yourself.
I really cannot express what karate has done for me. It has been inspirational, motivating, and a lot of fun. I have met new people and learned about myself. It has changed me for the better. I have more confidence, better motivation and discipline, and a better outlook on life. I have developed ways to organize my life using goal-achievement skills that I have learned through taking karate at Mile High.
Karate has been inspirational, motivating work but it has also been a lot of fun. I have found that I am a stronger person than I ever realized, both physically and mentally. When you are just about ready to give up on a task, that is when you dig deep into yourself and find that you can finish. Life can be the same way.
Physically, I have found that I do indeed have muscles that I never would have guessed I had. I have learned to persevere through rough times. Being so far along in karate has helped me gain more respect from people. I have become a better person because of karate. I used to be very shy. I was unmotivated with my school work and I was a major procrastinator. I am more organized and have found benefits in this. Because of my organizational skills, I did better in my school work and in my job. I was never motivated to do homework, especially if I had other things going on that night. After about six months in karate, I started to use my time more wisely. I wouldn't leave major things off to do until the last minute. I became more confident and outgoing as far as my peers were concerned. I would sit down and actually study instead of leaving it to the last minute cramming or just trying to do my best with the knowledge that I had gained in class. My teachers were very impressed and asked me about the sudden change in my work, study and social habits. They were very pleased to hear that karate had helped me to make all of these changes in my life.
Karate has touched me inside as well as all of these other obvious things. I can't quite pinpoint what exactly it means to me in words. Maybe it's the confidence in knowing that I can defend myself if I need to. Maybe it is the inner strength I have found inside that I didn't know existed. It may be the knowledge I have acquired through setting goals and knowing what I want to do with my life. Gaining people's confidence and respect may be another reason. This has always been something I have wanted to achieve and I achieved it without really realizing that I was achieving it naturally. I think that this feeling inside is a little bit of all of these things. It makes me feel good about myself. I know that I would never have become such a respected and outgoing person if I had not had karate to help me along. I thank all of the people who have helped me to make me the person I am today.
What karate has done for me: I was seven years old when I started karate. Since that period of time I have brought up my self-esteem, confidence, and my discipline. My self esteem has helped me keep my grades up. Confidence has helped me go one step further in math because I'm in two honors math classes. Discipline has helped me with my behavior in classes and at home.
Karate has also helped me with my strength, mental, physically and sprital. Mental helps keeps my mind on task. Physically by keeping my body in shape.
Karate has done a number of positive things for me. I feel what I've learned is helping me and will continue to help me for the rest of my life.
First, it has helped me physically. In gym class I used to be in the back when we ran laps, but now I'm in the very front. I am limber because of karate. I can do stretches better than most kids in P.E. class. My leg strength has become better for riding my bike and better balance has helped me with skate boarding.
Second, karate has helped me with organizing time because of all the things I need to learn. For instance, so I can get all of my work done in time so I can play. With all I'm learning I've come to realize practicing is very important, so I will remember what I've learned.
Third, karate has helped me with mental discipline. During a test one of the hardest things is sitting still and paying close attention. In karate, I must maintain focus and discipline for long periods of time. This has helped me to keep my mind on what I'm doing, not on other things.
My confidence is better because now I am not afraid to be on Demo team. I feel brave enough to try new things, in other parts of my life. I'm more confident around other people.
My coordination has improved a lot. This has made skate boarding more fun and made it easier to work on harder tricks and jumps.
Studying karate has given me new ways to use my mind. For example, visualizing a form as way of practicing. I can also visualize skate boarding and this has helped me improve.
In conclusion, karate has helped me with a ton of things in my life. I hope to keep on doing karate until I am too old to do it.
I want to be a smarter person than I am right now. All the things that we work on in karate, like discipline, focus, perseverence and honesty are helping me to be a smarter person. I want to be known as a role model throughout all the karate schools and regular schools.
Being in karate has taught me many things. Karate has taught me self defense, improved my physical fitness, taught me about commitment and given me opportunities to perform in front of people and share my martial arts knowledge with others.
First of all, karate has taught me self defense. Karate has taught me how to tell when it is ok to use my martial arts to defend myself and others and when it is not ok. By learning all of the combinations and forms, I have learned moves and stances which will protect me if I ever need to protect myself. I have also learned respect for martial arts and respect for other people.
Secondly, karate has improved my physical fitness. I have learned how to do jumping jacks, push-ups and many other exercises the correct way. Karate has taught me how to build endurance. It has also taught me how to push myself when I think I can't go any further. It has taught me how to say to myself "I can" and to remove the words "I can't" from my mind. By doing this, I find myself able to go further and push myself harder.
Thirdly, karate has given me the opportunity to be part of the Demo team at my school. I have learned how to perform in front of people and a lot of new forms to music. I have been able to perform in a few places outside of my karate school and have learned how to respect other schools or places I go and how to act when I am in uniform representing my school.
Karate has taught me the meaning of commitment. If you really want to take your martial arts seriously, you have to commit a lot of time and energy into the sport. It takes a lot of practice to do the forms and combinations correctly and it takes a lot of devotion to your school. The biggest thing I have learned from this experience is that in order to be really good at something, you have to give it most of your time and energy. To be a really good martial artist, you must focus your energy on it.
Karate has taught me a lot of things, but most of all, karate has taught me if you work really hard at something, you will be really good at it.
My thanks go to the staff at Mile High Karate for helping me find my special thing in my life at this time, I was looking for. If Mile High Karate had not come to my school, I don't know if I would have been involved in karate. I love the people and really want to continue as a student, teacher and whatever else happens.
First, it has taught me self-control. Another example is that it taught me discipline. Another thing that it taught me is responsibility. It taught me responsibility because it taught me how to get things in on time, reading the books, doing the essays, and the tests. A third thing it taught me to do is have fun also. It's not always serious but it taught me how to have fun. A fourth thing it taught me is self defense (of course). It taught me sparring, which is my favorite thing to do in karate, and my second favorite, one-step sparring. It also taught me forms, and combinations, which are both fun, too.
It also taught me something you'd never expect. That would be how to make friends easier.
In conclusion, these are the many things that karate has majorly helped me on and I appreciate all the instructors who helped me with these things, showing me discipline, self-defense, responsibility, and letting us have fun. If I had never gone to karate, I never would have met such amazing people and a lot of new friends. I had fun typing this report and I hope you like it as much as I do!
For me, karate is one of the most productive things to ever happen in my life. Before I started karate, I had no sport or club that I was really interested in. I mostly hung out with friends, since I had no goals or entertainment in mind. Karate was something I never thought of, but there was an ad in the newspaper for two free weeks.
I enjoyed the two weeks of karate and decided to stick to it. I was easy to make friends with but very shy and quiet. Being so, I had low self-image and low self-esteem. For the first couple months I stayed quiet and shy. When I became a gold belt, things started to change and I started practicing on my form and combinations. Every time I practiced I could perform so well the next day, so I got into the habit of practicing constantly. In turn, this raised my confidence level to take a step forward.
This didn't just help me at karate, but also in school. I was always so afraid of giving speeches and sometimes this is still a fear, but with the help of karate I'm able to do it successfully and face the fear every time it comes up. As an instructor, I've learned how to teach others, be patient with others, and get to know everyone below me and above me. I didn't feel so secure and intimate anymore. I was open to others and was able to express myself. Though this transformation, I've been able to relate with everyone and make close relationships with parents and students. Here in karate, I've learned to respect them, which in turn, led me to respect everyone around me in public.
I've learned to contribute without the thought of return, and so I try to be helpful to these families through different acts of kindness. They return this kindness to me by helping my family out and offering rides to and from karate. They've also helped me build confidence to make it through my struggles in and out of karate. The parents always gave me compliments on the way I instructed their kids which led to a buildup of my self-esteem. With higher respect for myself, my world turned into a positive outlook. Also, by finding my goal to be a black belt, it allowed me to search for other goals in life which I found to mostly revolve around music. Martial arts has contributed so much to my life especially in persisting on to reach my goals.
I have a better self-image than I ever had and I am never worried to express who I am. I have reached a high level of self-esteem and confidence which help me to set high expectations for myself, and in holding myself to those expectations. Karate has done so much for me, and I've realized the reason I practiced and became an instructor was because of the love I have for it and the students. All in all, martial arts is the best contributor in my life and for the future ahead of me.
When I started karate back in 1996 it was something that my son and myself could do together. I didn't expect it to go as long as it has. It brought us close, we had something to discuss other than school.
Then we became gold belts, at that point it seemed we had a goal, but still I wasn't sure. At that time I meet Master Oliver he impressed me very much. At that time I knew I was a role model and took the role very seriously. I could make a difference with everyone I meet.
In general, karate has made me a more giving person with no expectation of compensation. It has shown me there are a lot of kids out there that need a positive male role model. And most of all, if sit around waiting for something to happen you're wasting your time.
When I first started karate, I truthfully expected to learn self-defense. I also expected to learn it quickly. Obviously I knew little about karate at that time. I really did not understand what the martial arts were about. Now 3½ years later I understand. Yes, I have learned self-defense. I have also learned how long it takes to learn real self-defense. To be able to "take a person down" requires more years of training than I ever imagined. Karate has, however, quickened my reflexes. It has made me feel more confident that I would be able to react quickly enough to surprise an attacker. I feel I would be able to paralyze them enough to give myself time to run. I think, more importantly, my defensive moves are much better developed and I would be able to help protect myself from being hurt by a kick or punch.
I have learned that karate is not just about self-defense but also about being a good person. This includes being good to others as well as to ourselves. Karate has opened my eyes to martial arts in general and to the complete personal discipline involved, not just the physical discipline. In order to survive my medical training I had to learn self-esteem, self-awareness, self-discipline, self-motivation, and self-direction. It is interesting to me that most of the same concepts are needed to achieve black belt. Karate has helped me develop these concepts deeper. It has also helped me to understand them better in order to help teach their importance to others. Just as important are the concepts of self-control, self-protection and self-image. These latter concepts are invaluable for the working and/or school atmosphere.
Karate, at least initially, was my stress relief. I could go to class after work and feel comfortable that the stresses of the day would be put aside while I focused on techniques, disciplines, and the physical activity involved in our training. Getting to class on time was a goal for finishing my patient schedule on time. Since I am a very compulsive person, specific class times forced me to leave the office and go to class. Many times I was back in the office after karate, but I felt refreshed, not pressured. If I had not had set times, I know I would have skipped my training several times. Unfortunately, at this time karate has been more of a stressor. I am still motivated to leave the office however, often do not feel my stress is relieved at the time I leave karate class. Often it is intensified. I have learned that within the martial arts there are role models that do not practice the concepts they teach. I am not sure why this is surprising to me since this is true of medicine also. Because of these conflicts however, karate has made me have to delve deep within my soul to confirm my values and convictions. To really make decisions regarding how to demonstrate certain values and how to keep priorities straight. Honestly, I believe I have come out on top. I still feel my initial values and priorities are correct for me.
For the past two years, karate has supplied me with almost all of my personal training. I can honestly say that I get a better physical workout, most of the time, from my karate training than I would if I were at a gym. I have become more tone, and more determined to continue with proper conditioning techniques. I stretch much more which has helped some of my flexibility return. This, in turn, has helped me be more successful in different sports such as snowboarding, which I started last season.
The most important thing karate has done for me is to bring me into contact with a variety of people. The people I have met at the schools have been from such a wide range of backgrounds and professions. I thoroughly enjoy talking with people there including some of the children. I feel blessed by the relationships I have developed with some of the people I have met through the karate school. Some of these relationships, I know, will last forever, with or without the karate school being involved. Martial arts brings people together that have basically the same goal in life, to be good people.
I was asked into the Black Belt Club. I joined, and I have now learned that this commitment has built up the confidence in me by other people but has built up my confidence in me. By making this commitment to black belt, I have also made a commitment to the school to do my best and to help out when I am able.
Belt after belt I can keep seeing my skills improve, in tournaments it's now easier to lose my voice and to get blue ribbons. My attitude has greatly improved over what it once was.
Karate is an excellent sport. It helps individual develop both physically and mentally. Physically, over time he/she develops stamina, strength and flexibility. Mentally, they develop over time self-discipline and confidence, just to name a few.
Karate has been a tremendous help to me over the last four years that I have had the opportunity to take it. Before taking karate I had tried many different things, musical instruments and swimming to name a few, but I found that none of these gave me any mental, social or physical satisfaction.
Physically, karate has helped my flexibility immensely. When I started karate, my flexibility was poor due to the fact that I had never had the notion of trying the splits (but not bad considering I was a white belt). As in increased my knowledge of the sport and continued into the higher belts, my flexibility has increased substantially. I am now within inches of the complete splits, and with ongoing efforts I should be able to do the complete splits soon. Karate has also helped me with my strength. When I first started I could scarcely do 10 pushups, now I can max ten with extreme ease, and of course, I can do more. My punches have gotten stronger, and faster, and my kicks have definitely improved, in speed, flexibility, and power. In my early stages I was barely able to move the kicking shield when someone was holding it, now I usually move the kicking shield somewhat and holder with a rather effective side kick. My kicks are at about a 135 degree angle. I have also been told not to kick so hard by instructors and students so that my opponent is not hurt.
Mentally, karate has helped my confidence. Karate has also built up my confidence up to get jobs. Now that I have the confidence and feel more comfortable, I baby-sit for a couple of people outside of my neighborhood.
Karate has taught me how to budget my money. Karate has also given me the confidence to teach people through the S.W.A.T. program offered at karate.
It is easier for me to teach or help, neighbors and/or friends now than it was before I started karate. Karate has also helped my determination in meeting all goals set for me. My parents have set a goal for me. I must have a 3.0 grade point average, or better that is there goal for me. During the entire school year last year I consecutively got a 3.0 or better.
Karate has helped me in getting to know my immediate family better. Karate has expanded to every other family member that I know. Relatives have asked where I stand with karate and are always very much interested in how I am doing and at what belt level I am. This question leads to long conversations among the family. My grandmother has been extremely interested in my taking karate and has been very supportive of my interest.
Positive self esteem. I give respect to myself as well as others for trying something new (karate) and different. I respect the feeling and thoughts of others so much more now than I did before I started karate.
Positive self awareness. I feel that one has to be aware of their goals mentally before he/she can do so physically. My main goal for this fall is to attain my black belt and my secondary goal is to become an advanced level downhill skier.
Positive self control. one has to take mental control of their entire life. I feel I have taken a very positive self control of my life by making up my mind that I was going to get my black belt this fall.
Positive self-discipline. I think it is easy for someone to practice the form but they must remember the form and rehearse it, rehearse it, rehearse it or it will never be done correctly. My personal favorite form is Chung Mu. My personal self discipline was to practice, practice and practice at each belt level and especially high brown so that I would get my black belt this fall.
Positive self expectancy. one must mentally see their black belt in order to achieve it. Just saying I want my black belt is not good enough, you must push yourself to your own personal limits on a day to day, month to month, and year to year basis. This holds true for anyone regardless of age and regardless of what you chose to do in your life. If you can set a goal, any goal, work hard and steady towards it, you will see that goal become a reality.
Positive self motivation. one has to motivate themselves before one can physically motivate themselves in order to achieve something. It is hard for someone to get something they want without seeing themselves with it already.
Positive self image. one must project themselves mentally and then they must work physically to attain it. I truly feel that karate has been a great experience for me. At this point in my life, I can honestly say that I feel really great about myself and I feel the image I project to those around me is the best that it can be.
Positive self direction. one has to envision the direction their path is leading so it doesn't become a dead end. One must also ensure that they do not take the wrong path to achieve their goal. If one were to take the wrong path, they need to be able to realize it and take the right short cut to get on the right path.
Positive self projection. one needs to mentally decide what he/she should look like, and then fulfill their idea. They need to project themselves in the way they look, the way they walk, the way they talk, and the way they react to those around them.
Karate has been a great and important accomplishment in my life. It has given and taught me so much, from the splits to the butterfly kick. Karate has increased my physical well being. I have developed over the time of 4 years stamina strength and flexibility. My physical condition has increased more with the start of the black belt preparation cycle, due to the increased work outs in terms of intensity and time. Karate has helped me mentally, its especially with my being more outgoing. It has made me more attentive, think faster. It has taught me to live life to the fullest. This is what I did when I first became a white belt 4 years ago, what I am doing today and what I plan to do for all of my tomorrows.
I had recently been "mugged" in a hotel parking garage and was feeling very helpless and vulnerable. I thought that I might learn how to protect myself a little bit, so I agreed to give it a try. It has turned out to be one of the most significant decisions that I have made in my life.
The physical challenge has been very rewarding for me. I have been involved in sports quite a bit in my life, but I have never pushed myself as hard as I have in karate.
The philosophy at Mile High Karate has helped me to become a better teacher. I have really concentrated on providing an environment where students can experiment with more positive attitudes and behaviors without risking ridicule from their friends. Helping them to identify behaviors that will help them succeed instead of defeat them is a lot higher on my list of teaching priorities than it used to be.
My fear of being out in public alone is gone. I enjoy the competition of sparring and I would like to be a lot better at it.
I have learned a number of things. The first thing was, when you can't reach a goal that you have set, make a new plan. I never gave up. I kept planning on the next testing cycle.
Finally, I really do understand that karate is not a "black belt." It is a way of life for me. I will celebrate when I earn the belt. But, getting there and beyond is still what it is all about.
I feel daily opportunities to use large muscles and also small ones to. Including running, jumping, kicking, starching and punching. I feel stronger and more healthy because of my dayly exorcise. I also enjoy to exorcise better. This is part of my life every day. I'm happy and I like my life more and also the opportunity to participate in all activities and events. I feel healthy and safe. I enjoy and understand the concepts about myself and others children and adults around me. I learn how to interact with people and seeking solutions to concrete problems. I learn that if you want to be somebody you have to work for it. Since I been in karate I have a lot of self-steam.
In all this years since I been in karate I feel like a new person. Karate has tough me that you need a friend to reach you're goal. Also to make a goal, plan, and set the goal and do it.
Karate has helped me gain a sense of self control. In sparing, I've learned to size up a situation before I react. In forms, I've learned to keep my body in proper position and isolate certain movements at the right times. I've also learned to contain my energy and emotion, for the appropriate times, from my instructors lectures; and through observation of how they carry themselves in class.
I've also learned discipline. I've found that by applying myself to something; setting goals; and attempting to achieve these goals, through action and sacrifice, positive results can occur. The constant evaluation of my progress and the continual updating of my short-term goals to achieve my long-term goals is a method I hope to utilize in all my future projects; both in school and in everyday life.
I've also learned to expect more of myself. Through the karate program I've found that the more I expect of myself, the more I achieve. I've also gotten tougher mentally.
Socially, karate has helped me feel more comfortable interacting with groups of people.
I've also learned good communication skills from my instructors. I've also learned that if I want to be treated with respect I need to show respect. The Mile High philosophy of addressing fellow members by proper titles is one way respect has been demonstrated to me. I think addressing my elders, my peers, and those in a position of authority over me by "Sir" or "Ma'am" and by being addressed in a like manner promotes a greater sense of respect between people.
Through the karate program, I've also met some other kids who have become my friends. Being involved in a group with a common goal, sharing common interests, and performing similar tasks assists in the development of friendships.
It is very difficult to put all of the things on paper that karate has done for me. Karate, and all of the different Mile High instructors have had major impacts on my lifestyle, my self esteem, self control as well as parts of my life which are related to areas discussed in "The Psychology of Winning" and which have become our words of the belt.
A couple of very important areas of my life which have been positively impacted by karate are self esteem and self confidence, which, I believe are closely related to each other. Since starting karate, I have become more confident in the manner in which I deal with others because I feel that I can take care of and defend myself, which causes me to feel much better about myself and what I can accomplish on my own.
Another aspect of self confidence improvement is with the physical training and toning that we receive through karate classes and practice. Before joining karate, I was a couch potato of many years. I never felt confident in my ability to protect myself. Now that I am in better shape and learning how to protect myself, I feel much more confident when walking to my car downtown after work. I understand that this alone will discourage many potential attackers. I believe that I present myself better, with a self assurance that I never possessed before.
The physical aspect of my karate training is wonderful! I never had any muscle definition before and its nice to see my arms and legs are strong and firm, not mushy.
Karate helps me to set realistic goals, and to focus on reaching those goals, along with focusing on a positive outcome. When class is particularly hard, or you just can't seem to pull off that new move, a positive mindset is essential to realizing your goals.
I can mostly keep the positive aspects of our training in mind, such as that I am going to be in the best shape of my life, and that my hip strength and overall performance will be improved from such hard work. This allows me to withstand more and to encourage my classmates to hang in just a little longer.
Over the years I had advanced both physically and mentally. Yes, karate was not just a hobby anymore it was a lifestyle. I started to lose my shyness, and gain self-confidense. After I achieve black belt, I definitely plan to stay with Mile High for a long time, I enjoy helping out with classes (especially the little guys), and also I still have tremendous room for improvement, I need to focus more on my fighting skills, tournament competition is also great fun. I still have a lot to learn and being a black belt doesn't mean you can quit, or that you know it all.
What karate gave me was my self respect in myself back. It has given me better physical conditioning on my body and a clearer mind. It has given me a great deal of leadership skills. It has given me courage to stand in front of a big crowd and not feel scared. It has given me that courage that I had lost a long time ago.
Karate has also given me something I did not have much at all and that is friends. It has given me a chance to meet some nice people (parents) etc.
I got something out of karate, something I had lost, it was my self control, self esteem and even my integrity. I got it back and it feels so good again.
Karate has given me better job performance and the knowledge and tools to use to do my best. (Always). It has given me a different outlook at people and situations that might occur at work or home a lot different than before.
Karate has given me ways on dealing with my children when I am stressed out or just plain tired. It's taught me better ways to handle them and I'm very grateful for it.
Karate has also given me the self respect for all martial artist who ever they are and the hard work it took anyone to get their black belt or any belt. I think karate for self-discipline is the best way to teach your kids as well as adults.
I think karate is a great motivator. Karate has also taught me about life and what it can be like when you give it your all (at least 110% or more).
It gave me great satisfaction in knowing that I started out to do something and I did not quit, but that I finished what I had started! That gives me a great deal of self esteem. Karate taught me not to quit at something that seems impossible, but to go forward at 110% and finish what you started. That is what I found in karate. I have a lot of new ideas to try in my everyday life and with my new friends and teachers to help me, it is going to help Mile High Karate grow and grow.
Karate has done a lot for me in a lot more ways than just one. It has helped in my home, at work, out in the public and where ever I might be.
Karate has taught me patients in dealing with people and the way I treat them. When I am feeling good about myself I treat others with a lot more respect and I mean it.
Karate, most of all gave me myself back. I now what I want in life and karate has given that to me. Karate has made my life 110% better and made life worth living! Thank you again!
In the four years I have been in karate I have learned more focus responsibility, self discipline, self control, strength and pride. It has helped me in karate, personal relationships, and in school.
I have learned to be happy when my team members win and feel I have also won, but then when I am in competion I am but one person. I focus on what I need to do to win. I direct and focus on what I need to do to win. I direct and focus all of my energy in a positive manner to defeat my opponent. When I do win and receive a trophy, plaque or ribbon, I feel this is the best time of my life. I am positive in pride and proud of myself, because I have accomplished something that not many people can do.
I am now good at sparring and forms due to hard work and dedication. I have learned commitment and attend all classes and tournaments because getting my black belt is one of the most important goals in my life at this time.
I know my personality has improved, I can now accept defeat (which is not as often now), in a sportsman like way. I know I also can be kind to my opponent when I win, because I know the feeling that they have when they are defeated and I want them to understand I know how it feels, but when I win it is still the greatest feeling ever. I now can set goals that I know I can achieve. I inturn can accept defeat with dignity.
I am more aware of peoples feelings and share a close family like feeling with my karate friends and their mothers and fathers, because we have learned to care for one another.
I have formed a better relationships with my family and friends because I now can be more patient, understanding, loyal, and giving due to four years I've been in karate. Karate has helped me make new friends. My old friends are closer and the new friends I have made seem to care for me because I now care and respect them. I also feel they look up to me because of accomplishments in karate. I wish my friends could be in karate and enjoy the feeling of pride I have felt.
I have also made my family and grandparents very proud of me, which has made me a more pridefull and positive person. To see them proud and happy makes me want to work all the harder to achieve my black belt.
I hope to continue in karate and to achieve the highest degree in black belt possible.
What I have learned from Stephen Oliver's Mile High Karate and what I have done with what I've learned? One of the first things I've learned is how to make goals and follow through with them. My first goal at karate was getting my green belt after that it was a high blue belt. While I was making these goals at karate my grades and actions at school remained the same. Karate taught me these nine traits.
Positive self-motivation
Positive self-awareness
Positive self-control
Positive self-image
Positive self-expectancy
Positive self-direction
Positive self-esteem
Positive self-discipline
Positive self-projection
The reason why my grades and actions stayed the same was I never connected what I learned at karate with school. I thought karate and school were two different worlds. It was this way for about the first two and one-half years. The last two years I began to change and show a big difference. My grades went up and so did my level of self-confidence. I'm more focused on my school work and more mature. At home I became more independent. Before I wasn't so independent I would have somebody else do every thing for me. If my mother couldn't than my father or my sister would. No matter what it was somebody else would do it for me. Now I do more for myself.
The most important thing that karate has done for me, is it has taught me to respect others. Respect is a very important thing to learn, because if you treat others with respect, they will treat you with respect. For example, I treat my teachers at school with respect because they are giving me an education, which is very important to me.
Karate has also taught me to be a better sport. Being a good sport shows that you have a good attitude. When you lose a game, you should not be mad. Because, if you know you have done your best, you have won. When you lose be sure to say "nice game" or something like that, because if you don't they will think you are a bad sport.
Karate has also given me better grades in school. Having good grades in school will help me get scholarships for college. Your teachers will compliment you on your good work. For example, I was the only one out of two classes that got a perfect paper on a Social Studies test.
Karate has taught me to be more responsible. I always turn in my homework on time. I make sure I practice my baritone for three hours a week to get an "A", and I go to all of my karate classes every week. Being responsible is important to me because I can get things done on time and do things that I am supposed to get done.
Karate has taught me to be a good person. The reason I say this is, I don't smoke, I don't swear or do drugs like other kids in my school. I try to be a good person and make friends and avoid fights. I help my mom with my little brother. I do my chores around the house and listen to my mom and dad.
Over the past three and a half years of taking karate at Mile High Karate I feel I have improved my self in many different ways. Below you will find the ways I feel karate has helped me.
• My overall athletic abilities and the fitness of my body have improved due to all of the hard work and exercises we perform every practice.
• My flexibility has improved to where I have almost mastered the full splits. This flexibility gives me advantages in other sports I participate in such as baseball. By being as flexible as I have become it will help to keep me healthy and free from accidents.
• Karate has given me confidence in other areas of my life. My school work has improved and my grades are all A's and B's. I enjoy new activities at school and I am not afraid to try them.
• Karate has allowed me to concentrate and focus in other areas of my life and that has helped me to succeed. My other activities include piano, baseball, school work, church plays, cub scouts and great books. I have found that by focusing my attention I can be the best at whatever I do.
• I have met new people and made new friends at karate classes and tournaments. Karate has helped me to over come my shyness that I had before and made me more outgoing.
• Through the karate classes I have learned many self defense moves and combinations and through sparring classes I feel very confident that I can defend myself should I be put into a situation where I need to defend myself.
In conclusion, I feel my karate experience has been a major influence in my life. I enjoy the instructors who have been so helpful and plan to make karate a part of my life forever. I look forward to the challenges ahead as being a black belt and studying new forms and weapons. I am excited about the possibility of earning my second and third degrees as a black belt and studying it throughout school and getting good enough to travel around the country and enter tournaments. I hope I can even use karate as I go to college someday whether that be to a university or maybe even the Air Force Academy .
Mile High Karate has been one of the best experiences of my life.
I have made many new friends in karate who have helped me work for my black belt (even girls are fun). We have had good times, worked hard and supported each other when we lose. We always remember that our goal is to earn a black belt and to be the best that we can be in our sport. Each of us is in a lot better physical shape since karate and this is apparent in other areas of my life like school. The discipline we learn in karate has helped me at home and school.
Now that I have taken lessons for the last four years I am becoming a skilled martial artist - almost as good as the Karate Kid ! I am also a better person all over because I have studied karate.
One thing I learned in karate school was to focus. This means I learned to pay attention and focus my thoughts on what I was doing. By being focused, I can concentrate on my karate and on my school work. I try not to let others distract me.
I also learned to tell my self that I can do anything that I want as long as I try very hard.
I also am trying to learn how to control my temper. I used to lose my temper a lot when I didn't get my own way. I would cry and stomp around and yell at my mom and dad. If I didn't win at a tournament, I would get mad at myself. I learned that this behavior does not help me to be a winner. It only loses me the respect of my parents and friends.
Being in karate has taught me how to set goals. There are thirteen different belts from white to black. Each belt has it's own set of combinations and a form. I had to focus on the goal of working one belt level at a time. I will need to set goals to help me through school, through college, and any other thing I want to achieve when I grow up.
I have learned that karate is a combination of the body and the mind working together. You can't do something by just saying you're going to do it, that's the beginning. You have to program yourself mentally and physically and combine the two together.
I learned that being able to mentally tell yourself that you could do it helped but was not enough. I was not physically able to do it yet. Building up my strength and endurance was not as easy as I thought it would be.
Working towards my black belt has not been easy. Lots of times I would have rather stayed home and played with my friends than go to class or to practice. But I went to class. Telling myself that I could do it was just the mental part of it. Building my physical abilities and endurance has been the hardest and has taken me awhile.
I have learned that I can do just about anything. First I have to get my mind ready by telling my self that I can do it. I then have to get my body ready. That's usually the hardest part. Sometimes I'm not able to do something as fast as I would like, I just have to work harder at it. I know that I may have to work towards some things for years but, if my mind and body are prepared, I can do it.
When I look back, I see all the things I've accomplished because of karate. I've gotten stronger, I've learned to focus on my goals, I have good self-esteem and I have learned perseverence.
I know I am stronger and more flexible because two months ago I could only do 15-20 push-ups; after the black belt prep classes, now I can do 30-50 PERFECT push-ups. Every class I continue to improve in doing the splits. In gym class at school I can do more pull-ups than I could before and the cardiovascular exercise has helped me to run for longer periods of time.
Karate has taught me how to focus on goals. In fifth grade I wanted to get an A on my reading contract, and by reading one half hour every morning, I built up to the 1500 minutes it took to accomplish that goal.
I know I have good self-esteem because of what happened at a karate tournament. In sparring I won my first fight, but the judges put it down as a loss. I realized I wasn't being called up anymore, so I went to the judge and said, "Excuse me, sir, you've made a mistake." I got a first place trophy that day because I had enough self-esteem to speak up.
In school I get good grades because I'm not afraid to speak up. I'm looking forward to junior high as a time to learn more new things - I won't be afraid to try wood shop, fly fishing, football, basketball, gymnastics, pottery, drums, or sign language because I know I can do anything I set my mind to do.
Most of all in karate I've learned perseverence. Most important, when I got the list of people who should test for their black belts, next to my name it said "-not likely to pass." Instead of quitting after four years of hard work, I wanted to stick with it. I continued to develop myself physically and mentally, based on the Mile High Karate spirit. I hope this attitude shows my indominable spirit.
I want to become a black belt because I want to be an assistant instructor and help other people grow and be awesome, more awesome than me. I also want to get my black belt because there is more competition in black belt divisions and I like the forms that we learn in black belt classes. Black belt is where it gets really fun because black belt is just the beginning of your martial arts training.
I have learned to be aware of everything around me. This has helped me learn quicker in school especially in science. I have learned to expect the best from myself because you usually get what you expect. My self image is very positive and this has helped me to have high self esteem.
Long hard training has taken discipline, something you need to accomplish anything.
Performing and competition have helped to increase my self confidence and taught me positive self projection. I have learned how to motivate myself and how to keep growing in a positive direction.
The most important thing I have learned at Mile High Karate is to set long term goals and set short terms leading up to the long term goal and accomplish them one by one until you reach the long term goal. This way you can do anything you can think of.
Another important thing I have learned is to always do your best. If you don't try at least 110% you won't get better, you will get worse.
As a summary, if you want something, set goals correctly and always do your best to achieve them.
My attitude is much better than when I first started at Mile High Karate in 1988. Karate has helped me to have a more positive attitude, not only about karate but in school as well. I have learned that a positive attitude can make good things happen. My grades in fifth went up in the last quarter and I ended up with six A's.
My self-control is much better than it used to be. I used to get mad and cry if I didn't win something like a soccer or baseball game. I wouldn't want to shake the other team members' hands. I was a poor sport. But now I'm a good sport even if I lose because I know I've given it my best effort. Sometimes kids will try to upset me when I'm wearing my karate uniform but I know that I represent Mile High Karate and just walk away. It makes me feel really good that I can maintain such good self-control.
I think Mile High Karate has helped me to like myself more and be nicer to others. It has taught me how to teach a large group of students and learn self defense.
In karate I have become a better sparer over the years and I'm getting better each day on forms. Karate has helped me improve my cardiovascular and has also helped me develop a great side kick. Mr. Foote is the one who taught me how to do a side kick when I was doing it wrong and helped me improve other moves. I really enjoyed the demos we performed at Celebrity Sports Center and at Highlands Ranch High School for the Boy Scouts. I think people really enjoyed the forms and combinations. Karate has made me flexible. I can almost go into full splits and kick vertical. I think I'm a good teacher, especially with younger kids.
I am really looking forward to helping you teach lower belts when I'm a black belt!
Before I started karate I never had discipline, self-control, self-awareness, or self-esteem. Now I have discipline, self-control, self-awareness, and self-esteem. Some of the things that I have achieved are flexibility, such as the splits, toe-stretch, and the butterfly stretch. I have also learned respect to others and what ever anyone says for me to do it is accomplished, but before I just did other things that I wanted to do instead of doing what was told for me to do. Also a major part in karate that I learned is power, technique, and speed. I am impressed by myself because I'm more muture in the things I do. Before I started karate my kicks were not even waist level, and powerfull. Today, when I'm sparing my control has really improved since the day I joined. Also before I started Mile High Karate my grades were terrible such as C's and a couple of B's.
Since I joined karate I've gave respect to others and have always got my work done on time. Now since I became a new person from the old person I have learned a lot from Mile High Karate and thank them.
Soon, I learned to fend for myself, and I slowly met new people, who would become my friends and the ones to keep me going.
Mile High Karate has always been the sanctuary for me when I needed a place to burn off anger or frustration after a tough day at school, an argument with a family member or something to that effect.
Just taking karate though has brought back many of the feelings I had as a child and lost over the years. It completely renewed my self-esteem and let me like myself again, and not be embarrassed about my appearance. I have also raised my grades in school, have many extra-curricular activities including karate and I manage to hold down a part-time job along with all of that.
Karate taught me to make achievable goals, ones that were in reach and not to feel upset because I failed. I also had my friends bumping me along, for they felt I needed this more than anyone they knew.
Taking karate as a whole has helped me be good in school and taught me not to be discouraged with an occasional failing grade. I have been taking classes I never dreamed of taking, and doing well and enjoying them. Being a junior in high school is difficult with other commitments and karate, but I have managed to fulfill all of my goals with pride.
I can say that it has brought my family together in a way never possible. I have also met many people through karate, that have become my friends and advisors, that have kept me in line when I start to fool around. That in itself, has probably helped me the most.
Thank you Mile High Karate for everything you have given and taught to me. I may never be able to repay you for the friendships and lessons, but I am going to try.
Karate is an acceptance as a person who belongs, something I have never had in my life until now.
In addition, the mental discipline has helped one child overcome a learning disability and giving all three children the confidence that in this time of tremendous peer pressure that they know what is right for them and will not hesitate to say "No."
What I had not anticipated was the support and friendship which I have found. This is what has kept me coming back to classes. And this is what will keep me at Mile High Karate.
I want to thank you, Mr. Oliver, and all your staff for the time and effort which has been extended to me. My life has been made immeasurably richer by my time at Mile High.
I have taken karate for five years and through it I have learned many things both physically and mentally. Although, the physical aspect is rewarding it is the avenues of thought that are more rewarding. Karate has helped me to develop many winning traits the most prominent being the "Nine Traits of a Black Belt." My instructors showed me many times what it means to be aware and through them I began to lose my "tunnel vision." First with fighting, at karate if I was not empathizing with my opponent and seeing myself through their eyes I could not be a step ahead. When reviewing how my opponents saw me and what they saw I was more able to defend myself. As I progressed through karate my maturation in school helped to expand my self-awareness to life in general. I no longer passed judgment without knowing how the recipient of my judgment felt. I began to appreciate attributes in others I had previously disregarded. I no longer ignore the feelings of others before taking action. I try to see all viewpoints, although my answer frequently remains the same.
Instructors have also taught me positive self-esteem. They have encouraged me to set goals and achieve them. Each three months for the past five years I have reached one goal and set another. I reached my first of these thirteen goals when Mr. Johnson and Mr. Ramsaur presented me with my white belt. Karate has given me confidence through such achievements. I have more respect for myself now that I know what I can accomplish. My focus in karate became fighting after Mr. Johnson left. I had enough confidence in myself to realize that although Mr. Johnson was a great instructor I was the one motivating myself and I stayed with the program.
It was my high self-esteem and my ability to look inside for the solution instead of waiting on some outside event to take me where I wanted to go.
Training with the Mile High philosophy has given me the discipline to be aware of my actions and control them. My training has shown me that there is nothing I have to do, but I can do anything. I have gained the determination to make the right choice and entertain the "If it is to be, it is up to me" philosophy. It is up to me to earn my black belt, it is up to me to accomplish what I want in "Life." "Make it happen, don't let it happen," has solidified during these past five years. In teaching I have found myself repeating this and when I said it, realizing its full meaning. I see myself in the people that I teach and want to teach them what I've been taught. When I am teaching, my eyes seem to open up as I learn from myself and make myself learn more. I have learned to control my future and know that my environment is not in control. I strive to take full blame and credit for my actions.
Karate has shown me how to motivate myself. Often my mind will reach a stasis between desire and fear. All of the tools in the world could be given to one person, but without desire to use those tools they are nothing. Karate has helped me define the difference between these two kinds of motivation and to always choose desire. When I first began fighting I didn't enjoy being hit and when I got scared I just got hit more and more. I have rarely been dominated in a fight. I have learned not to dwell on the negative, but embrace the positive with a desire to win. To never say "I can't," but instead say "I can," to look forward to fighting people who challenge me. I have gained positive self-motivation with a high level of expectancy and the ability to say "I can," every time I'm questioned. The instructors I've had have helped to show me this, but my fellow students have helped more. Many students decide they can't and don't ever try. I believe that a 5' man could out reach a 7' man if he had the desire.
"You get what you expect," this phrase is a key to self-expectancy and I have through karate internalized the meaning. By being optimistic greater things will happen and with more frequency. Karate has shown me that if you expect to achieve something you will. In karate we are constantly setting goals and expecting to meet them, we do. I have learned to see problems as opportunities, if I have a weak sidekick I have the opportunity to improve it. If I get a bad mark, or fail in a task at work I expect to do better the next time. Things will end up as I want them to because I expect it. Some people have said "I live a charmed life" or that "I'm lucky," but it is neither. It is my optimistic expectations that enable me to be prepared for situations where I have an opportunity. I am not lucky, I made my luck. If I want something I expect to get it and that prepares me for it.
Competing in karate tournaments has reinforced my impressions of positive self-image. I have learned that you should at all times have a positive image. You can become a winner by seeing yourself as a winner. In the first MHK Classic, I saw myself as a winner and when the forms competition came I won.
Karate has helped me to clearly define goals, to write them out and achieve them. This positive self-direction has made me aware of the need to have a direction, and the uselessness of wandering aimlessly. I have learned that training with a purpose is more effective than just going through the motions or actions. But instead to concentrate on a goal and to achieve it.
Karate has shown me self-discipline, the one trait that makes all of the others possible. The discipline to continue with a task no matter how strenuous. I have had many times when I was so involved with other things that karate lost its place on my list of priorities. Before I realized it wasn't just another sport, but a lifestyle. The discipline I have gained has given me the mental tenacity to continue things in the face of scorn and humiliation, if I know my action is correct. To accept others on their beliefs and for the people they are instead of having one level of expectations for everyone.
Positive self-discipline has given me the potential to follow through on anything I begin and to make sure I do the job right, which is very important to me.
First of all karate has changed my outlook ion school, because I used to get all D's and C's, now I am getting all A's and B's. I also thought that school was really stupid, but now I am really enjoying it. It has also affected my attitude, because if it was not for karate I would have been in a lot of fights by now and my grades would have been where they used to be.
It has also affected my life by helping me to make better decisions at school and home. The decisions that helped me at school were to do my homework right when I get home instead of putting it off until the last minute and then staying up late so that I don't get enough sleep and then I fall asleep in class and miss the homework assignment for that day and I get an F for not doing it. Decisions at home that I am making are to pay for my own Masters Club. I am working and using all my money to make the payments.
Karate has made me more confident. I have a greater level of self-esteem and feel more confident about myself and my actions. I have more respect for people and I have more of a sense of responsibility. It has also made me much more stronger physically and mentally. I also have more confidence to talk to adults and present myself as a responsible young adult.
When I started taking karate lessons a few years ago, I did it because I was looking for an exercise program that fit me.
I had tried running, but that didn't last long. I always could find an excuse not to run. Aerobics came to a fast end also. I just couldn't get interested, and so I continued to search for something that would hold my interest plus give the physical exercise I knew I needed.
Karate was always something I'd been aware of, but never thought I was the "type" to be good at it. Then one day I saw an advertisement about a karate school not too far from my home, so I thought I would investigate and give it a try. Two classes later and a pep talk by the instructor, and I was hooked!
Even as a lower belt I realized I was getting the exercise I needed and beginning a lifestyle that will continue for a long time.
About the time I was a blue belt and a red belt, I was going to college full-time to be a registered nurse and working weekends as an L.P.N.
Studying, going to classes daily, and working took all of m y time and most of my energy, but I knew I had to go karate class and to practice what I learned there.
Karate class gave me a break from the mental strain of studying that I desperately needed. I found that if I went to karate class I was able to concentrate learning forms and perfecting kicks and then when I went back to the books, I felt mentally rested and able to study harder and learn what I studied.
Karate has also added something else to my life that I didn't expect when I started. I met a man who is now my husband, Dennis Jones.
In thinking about my goals after I attain a black belt, I find that they are really no different than the goals I had when I was working toward a black belt.
Karate has added another dimension to my life. My life as a professional nurse, a homemaker, and my life as a woman has been made more fulfilling and fun by karate.
I have enjoyed karate so much that I have changed my lifestyle. As a result of working out three (recently five or six) times a week I have lost weight and I'm in better shape than I have been in for fifteen years. Along with eating better I have stopped drinking alcohol altogether. I have also found karate to be a great way to relieve stress. Now our family activities center around karate and karate classes.
There are benefits, other than physical, to the Mile High Karate black belt program. There is the confidence you gain and the skills you learn in the process of becoming a black belt. When you compete, and give it your best effort, you often find you can achieve beyond your expectations. When you judge at a tournament, and have the parents of fifteen competitors scrutinize your decisions, you learn to trust your judgment. There are the teaching and motivation techniques you learn from helping instruct classes as a SWAT team member. The skills I have learned, and confidence I have gained help me deal with people whether they're family, friends, business associates or peers in a positive way.
Most people would think of karate as an individual sport, but I have learned it is very much a team sport. Few people could earn a black belt without the help and support of their classmates, families and instructors. I have made many good friends at Mile High Karate over the past few years. Friends that have helped me along the way, with an encouraging word, or prodded me to do one more slow kick, or corrected a technique. These people have given freely of there time and patients, without them I don't know if a black belt is possible.
I think black belt is just the beginning. At this point, I feel I have just learned the basics of karate, and would like to work at perfecting them. I am interested in learning weapons and improve my sparring skills. I plan to continue studying karate until I no longer enjoy it. If the last three years are any indication, I will be in karate for a long, long time.
I wish to thank the staff of Mile High Karate, and especially Master Oliver, for all I have received while working toward my black belt.
I have gained respect for myself, my parents, and others. This helps me get along with people much better. I can also focus on goals to achieve what I want, and that I can achieve any focused upon goal.
I met interesting people from other states as well as Colorado. My self-esteem, confidence and motivation has improved greatly. My grades in school have been improved and are doing better. Now I know with hard work I can reach a goal. I continue to set goals for myself and achieve them faster than before I started karate.
Karate will always be part of my life and with the skills I have learned my plan is to continue karate and achieve a 2 nd degree black belt. I feel that I can continue to improve as a person and a martial artist. This is only a beginning to the things that I know I can do now.
