I was 12 years old, and I remember looking up to a neighbor of mine, Tony, who came home in the evening wearing a gi. Tony was a few years older and a respectable kid. I had always wanted to take lessons– ever since seeing the Karate Kid when I was 6. To be honest, the only reason I didn’t was because I was nervous. I had no idea what to expect, no idea if I’d be hurt, no idea what I’d have to do. Thank God for Tony. I told him I always wanted to take lessons, so he took me with him one night- to the Chop Shop which was run by Mr. Scott Altorfer. It was a Tae Kwon Do program, and I stuck with it for quite some time before trying Shuri-Ryu Karate.

The only thing I remember from my first class was doing swing kicks. Having never done them before, my legs hurt the next day, but I was hooked for life after that first kick.

Sometimes it takes someone you trust to motivate you to pursue your dreams. I encourage all of our students to motivate their friends to give our program a shot. It may not be for them. Or you just may find the next black belt leader for our program.