Pearls from Promotion Essays

from the April, 2014 issue of Kiai!

Fourth Degree Black Belt, April 6, 2014

Sensei Eric Francque
As I continue on my life's path, I know that emotional pain is an inevitable part of life. I believe it is better to move through pain until it takes on a different energy; pain is not a fixed energy that defines us or traps us. I have realized that if I continue to work with my mind and breath, and ask for help when I need it, I will be OK. … Physical pain [also] is simply an inevitable part of life, but after having experienced these challenges, I know we can work with it, through it, and it will definitely teach us endless lessons about ourselves, if we are open to receive them.

Sensei Akinwande O. Oyebanjo
When I am confronted with a challenge or obstacle in life and I second guess myself or tell myself that “I can't do this” then I have already lost. There is a difference between not being able to do something because your body will not allow you to, and not being able to do something out of fear and doubt.
...
I will never forget who my teachers are and how they made a difference in my life. … I feel it's my responsibility as a senior black belt to pass on the teachings that I learned to other students. … When some people leave, it is an opportunity for different people to become leaders and grow in their art. At this period of my training, I feel that it's my responsibility to encourage the younger students that I used to teach and now train with in class. I can share with them the things that have been shared with me. That's what becoming a Sensei means to me.

First Degree Black Belts, March 22, 2014

	Senpai Janet Lefley Over the years, I've been told by other Karate-ka that my Kiai [yell of spirit] is fantastic. It's loud and powerful and amazing. They are startled by it and sometimes I startle myself with it. Despite all my insecurities, I didn't need to be told that it is great. I knew it to be true. It comes out like a powerful snake uncoiling out of my lungs, and I can't stop it or control it. I have nothing to do with it, but at the same time it is all me. It is strong and beautiful and unselfconscious. It is the most genuine expression of myself, like a primal scream. ... When I let out my Kiai on the dojo floor, it is effortless. I don't think. It is unselfconscious and free of ego. It is like Mushin – the mind of no mind.
	Senpai Jeffrey Gore We have to give it our all while we're at the dojo even if our all is so much less than others can give. We bring our families and loved ones and demons and friends, and we enter the door to routines and a community who allow us to be all of ourselves and something entirely other together. I came to class, and I learned Taikyoku Kata number 1. … My own struggles with kata … have helped me to become a gentler human being. … I become a better father and step-father and partner and friend and brother and son each moment that I remember that things that are easy for me to think about or accept or learn are not always easy for others – and vice versa.
	Senpai Michele Curley I love everything about karate. I love being in the moment – just doing whatever has been asked right then. The beginning-of-class basics brings me out of my commuter funk. My work and life worries disappear as I focus on curriculum, kata and kumite. I love enriching and challenging my mind, body and spirit by practicing this martial art. As some may have noticed, I'm not one to do things halfway. I tend to plunge in and become a devotee. It's true. I take a lot of classes. Am I “addicted” to karate? Maybe. However, what I know for sure is that training diligently in karate has kept the insidious fingers of depression from creeping into my soul. Better to be addicted to fitness and karate than to be addicted to alcohol or drugs.
	Senpai Lauren Schwendimann Despite the uneasiness and discomfort and fear, I have felt drawn to stay true to my Seido path. So far, meeting the challenges along the path and moving through the uneasiness has taken me to periods of groundedness and confidence and celebration. It is not all scary and uncomfortable. It is also exhilarating and empowering and gratifying, and I love the small moments of flow that I find in pockets of an ordinary class, where I lose myself in a kata or a basics drill. I know that my challenges, setbacks, and gains within the dojo have changed me, and will continue to do so day by day. These experiences, I believe, help me develop resilience and strength for the unknown future.
	Senpai TJ Nakano I have gained physical and mental maturity which enables me to set higher training goals I could not have when I was younger. Last year, I was able to participate in advanced tameshiwari during the Spirit Challenge. For this event, we were told to break boards while doing a kata. This was something completely new to me, and I became very nervous and almost withdrew from the event. But I decided to practice “non-quitting spirit” and chose my favorite kata, Tensho. When I could not break the first board I thought to myself, “OK, I'll break the second one.” But I could not break the second board either, and I became very angry. I felt so weak, but at that moment I knew that anger was not going to help me so I just started focusing on my kata instead of breaking, and finally I broke one board in the end. Although I was upset that I was unable to break all of the boards, I finished strong, and felt proud in my heart. … Instead of dwelling on my mistakes, I became grateful that I was given a chance to test myself, and I realized that I have gained emotional maturity when it comes to handling disappointment.
	Senpai Jake Baumstark By teaching at ASK [Adapted Seido Karate program for children with disabilities], I finally understood that karate isn't just learning how to punch and kick, and how to beat people up, but how to defend yourself. By teaching these students I saw how they turned their disabilities into their favor. Which is amazing! Yes they do still struggle in their social life and in karate but they never give up. Just watching how they have improved got me to think of how I could improve my art. This select group of students inspired me to always perfect and polish my art, and to always put 100% effort when I train no matter what. They inspire me to try harder everyday.