2024-02-14

Teaching my regular classes at the Ross Farnsworth - East Valley YMCA.

Tonight’s adult class had a record 10 people in attendance! That meant we had to talk a bit about performing kata on a crowded floor. In order to avoid having people looking around to avoid collisions during kata, I tell them this: It’s your repsonsibility to look where you’re going and not run into anyone. If everyone does this, then no one will ever get hit from behind and there’s no reason to look around.

Despite the class size, some students were having trouble bringing some enthusiasm to the table, so we talked about that a bit after class. I told them that enthusiasm is a practiced skill, just like punching, kicking, and blocking. If you practice poor punches you’ll have poor punches when it comes time to use them. Likewise, if you practice poor enthusiasm, that’s what you’ll project outside the dojo too. Walking down the street with purpose, head up, and ready, you’re far less likely to be chosen for assault than if you’re walking with head hung low and not paying attention. Karate isn’t just about physical skills, it’s about overall self-protection.