My karate training started in 1984, in California, for self-defense purposes. I chose karate because I called every martial art dojo in the phone book (there were three) and liked the receptionist the best at the karate school.

My exposure to martial arts was about nil to none. I did see a few Bruce Lee movies. I wanted to sign up for a six-week or so defense class. The receptionist that I spoke to was also training and loved karate. She almost laughed at me. She told me that karate was a lifetime thing, not a six-week thing. She encouraged me to come in and try it, so I did.

During my first night at the dojo, I was so intimidated that I almost turned around and left. There were lots of people, mostly men, making a lot of noise; words that sounded like another language. They were doing things that looked painful. But I made myself walk through that door and my life has never been the same since.

I have loved karate from the very beginning. It was and still is one of the most difficult things I have ever done in my life. There are gifted people who learn quickly, and there are non-gifted people who learn very slowly. I am one of the non-gifted. I have had to work extremely hard to learn techniques and it's a continuous battle.

I was so bad that when my instructor tried to show me a front kick and advised me to pull my toes back, my toes didn't even move! I thought he was joking. When they told me to stretch and touch my toes, I barely touched my knees.

(--I am happy to say I can now pull my toes back without thinking and can touch my toes!)

I am a quick learner in everything else, so karate is a continual humbling experience for me. My non-giftedness has given me a lot of patience in teaching karate and other subjects to others.

There are several benefits that I have received from karate other than self-defense. It is one of the best stress releases that I have ever experienced. It's great for burning calories and the people you meet in most martial arts dojo are some of the finest people you would ever want to meet.

I met my husband in my karate school and we now have friends all over the world that we have met through martial arts. I believe that you can benefit from any martial art that you choose to do. My personal favorite is karate.

My motivation to train is not, and it has never been, to obtain a new and higher rank. I never thought about when I would get my black belt. I was too concerned and too involved learning a technique properly to worry about that. But receiving my black belt was one of the biggest accomplishments and one of the most difficult things I have ever experienced in my life. I was physically and mentally challenged to my limit.

I don't want to paint a picture of karate being a bed of roses. Karate is extremely difficult and it can be very hard on your body. I have been bruised so badly that some of my co-workers and clients thought I was a battered wife! I sometimes have to wear clothes that hide my bruises so people won't get the wrong idea. But I honestly believe that you have to learn to take a punch, kick or a strong grab to be able to defend yourself in a real situation. I have been to dojo where they allow the women to beat up on the men and never take a punch themselves. I think this gives these women a false sense of security. The first time they get hit on the street they will fold. This is not a part of training that I necessarily like, but I think it is necessary to understand this.

Also, there are times when a male ego can be a stumbling block. However, for the most part, if you try hard and you are sincere about your training, you will survive and progress.

People often ask me, if I have ever had to use my karate. I feel that I use it every day. I have never been attacked, but I am always careful of staying away from unsafe situations and I carry myself with confidence.

I started karate when I was 24 years old, and now I'm a lot older, but I feel that karate has helped me feel younger and look younger!

---

Copyright © Tengu Press & Wayne Muromoto. All rights reserved.
Layout & Design, Charles C. Goodin.