Karate

Saturday, March 28 – Today in class we followed the usual schedule of stretches, then one steps, then wrist grabs, and finally working individually on our forms. However at the end of class we did something a little bit different than usual. We took a few minutes at the end to have a group discussion about what our goals and motivations are in doing karate. Everyone in the group got a chance to talk and most of them said they were doing karate in order to get in shape or at least keep themselves active. When it was my turn I admitted that I did karate for these reasons too but that the more important reason I did karate was because it taught me self control and self respect and because I believed it helped me to consider my actions more thoroughly before I pursue them in terms of how ethical they are. I really enjoyed the conversation and I thought it was very relevant to the goals of CAS and what I am trying to achieve in the program.

Tuesday, March 31 – Today at the beginning of karate class we tried some new, more difficult stretches. They stretched some muscles we had never really paid attention to before and the instructor stressed to us how important it was to consider all the muscles in your body to achieve greater flexibility. Throughout the rest of the class everyone found it easier to perform the karate moves we were working on because of how we had stretched at the beginning. It was especially easier to do our forms because we paid particular attention to out legs and they were flexible enough to kick and block without any strain.

Saturday, April 4 – Today at the beginning of class we celebrated the instructor’s birthday with some cake and a card that everyone signed. The instructor was very surprised and we were all very happy that his birthday was going so well. Then we resumed the regular schedule for class although everyone was having a little trouble keeping to the schedule because we were all full from the cake and doing the physical activities made us feel a little queasy.

Tuesday, April 7 – Today was a regular karate class. We began by stretching out and we used some of the new stretches we had recently learned. Then we broke up by rank and did our forms. Then we did wrist grabs and one steps. However, at the end of class we got a chance to spare with each other. Sparing is my favorite activity to do in karate class because it is the most thrilling and enjoyable thing we do, and I had a lot of fun doing it.

Saturday, April 11 – Today was my last day of karate class until the beginning of the next school year because I am starting softball soon and it would interfere with karate if I continued with it, and by the time I finish softball it will be summer and I do not do karate in the summer. It was a normal class and we followed the normal schedule of stretching, forms, wrist grabs, and one steps. I will miss attending karate and I cant wait to come back next year.