Want to try Karate? Sensei says, "Give it a go."

By: Sensei Shay Jackson

When I was a kid, I always wanted to study karate. I was absolutely sure being a black belt was what I wanted. It wasn’t until I was in the military that I had the opportunity to begin my training. The first school that I was a part of really gave me a sense of pride and belonging. My instructor was my first example of what it meant to be a black belt. To this day I have the highest level of respect for him, as I know I always will.

Since that first lesson, I have found that the martial arts has become a part of who I am and what I do. Thankfully, I have been part of a great family of martial artists. I am very humbled that I get to learn from some great instructors. I am even more humbled that I am allowed to teach the things I have learned over the years. I get a true sense of pride when I see someone have a revelation based on something I have shared.

Above all, the martial arts community is a fraternity, a family. For those that students that give it their all, there is no better feeling than to receive the next promotion! I am grateful to those I have learned from, whether they were my direct instructor, someone that taught at a seminar, or a friend who clarified something for me.

To those that have wondered what it is like to learn a martial art, I would say, “give it a go, give it your all, you won’t be disappointed.”