from the December, 2013 issue of Kiai!

Interview: Parents Who Study Karate
with Their Kids

 

By Tabitha Balakumar,
Advanced Green Belt

We all know Thousand Waves is a great place with an amazing community. At the same time though, there isn’t much time to talk to your fellow karateka around class time. Everyone is usually focused on getting their heads into class, or on what they need to accomplish after class. Well, here’s a chance to get to know a few individuals. They are all parents with children training in the Youth program, and they train themselves. Meet Mandy Sark white belt, mother to David Sark, new blue belt. Also, meet Mark and Cindy Mayernik, white belts, parents to Amber and Kealani, green belts. And finally, meet Tabitha Balakumar, advanced green belt, mother to Ethan and Owen, new advanced brown belts.

What brought you to Thousand Waves?


David (left) and Mandy Sark.


Cindy (left) and Mark Mayernik.


Tabitha Balakumar with Owen (left) and Ethan.

Mandy:
We’d heard of Thousand Waves from a high school friend of mine, but never visited the dojo. In August, we were walking on Belmont and passed the studio. We looked in, but David was a little hesitant even though he’s always had an interest in martial arts. Senpai Carmina came outside and invited us into the dojo for a tour. She was so warm, welcoming, and kind that David opened up to her and we were really impressed with the dojo and staff. Senpai Carmina explained how everything works, and we joined less than a week later.

Cindy & Mark:
Mark and I first heard about Thousand Waves from our oldest daughter's friend. She’d been doing Seido Karate for some time and both her and her mom recommended the dojo to us. Both our daughters had previously attended martial art classes from other dojos, but we just didn't find the right fit. Mark and I always knew that if our girls participated in karate, that they would benefit from what martial arts provides, like self-discipline and confidence. Our daughters joined Thousand Waves after they tried a free class, and we found Seido karate to be a great fit with our family. We agree with the philosophy and the fun, non-competitive way it’s taught.

What brought you to the training floor?

Cindy & Mark:
After observing our kids training, we saw that karate was not only a great way to exercise, but also a way to develop serious self-defense techniques in case we ever come across a dangerous situation.

Mandy:
I also decided to join spur of the moment after seeing the dojo and meeting the staff. I started training with David to start a weekly exercise program and as a family bonding experience. I wanted my son and I to have a hobby together that was just our own: sacred family mother-and-son time.

What do your kids think of you training?

Tabitha:
I think they like it. They started training a few months before I did, and they loved teaching me the basic blocks, strikes, and kicks. Their curriculum went at a much slower pace than mine, so it wasn’t long before I was teaching them new material. I think they enjoy this even more. Karate has given us a wonderful experience together—something we can talk about, practice, and enjoy.

What is it like learning your Seido material with them?

Mandy:
I raise David on my own and currently work in retail management. I cannot say enough about how important it is for families to train with their children. It is amazing how kids react to a parent taking a genuine interest in something they like, giving credibility to their passions and their pursuits. It creates a healthy teamwork and sometimes even healthy competition between parent and child.

What has it been like to train with the Youth kids in the afternoon classes?

Cindy & Mark:
We loved the idea of training at the same time as when our kids trained. It was convenient, fun, and economical. Initially, though, our daughters did not think it was a good idea, especially when it was us, their own parents! But now I think that they're ok with it. They actually look forward to teaching and fine tuning mom & dad's katas and self-defenses. We like that we have one more thing in common, something we can do together as a family.

Mandy:
I love training with the kids in the afternoon. In fact, that has been the only way I’ve been able to be consistent with any exercise/training program because, since I am a single parent, childcare is an issue. I also love seeing my son and his peers train and progress class by class. Plus, the children have so much energy it forces me to keep up.

Before joining Thousand Waves, what was your primary form of exercise?

Mandy:
I am truly "striving with patience" every day. This has been my first regular weekly exercise program in quite some time.

Tabitha:
I didn’t have a primary form of exercise before joining Thousand Waves. I’d tried going to the gym, but got bored after only a few weeks. So, any exercise schedule I tried to create went up and down like a yo-yo. After discovering karate, I felt like I’d come home. The physical challenges keep up my strength and endurance, but it’s the mental challenges that keep me coming back. Even after learning new material, there is still so much to do with it for months afterward. Even years. I never want the Seido curriculum to end.