Big news – Shodan at last – 6/08/10

On last Sunday, 6/6/10, I took my Karate exam for Shodan.  It was a tough exam but one of those exams that I felt really good about when it was over.

I spent two days going over the test in my mind, reliving the exam over and over again.  Today, in my Tuesday class, Sensei Noia gave us our exam results.  In 5 years and 50 weeks since my wife and I started taking Karate class we are now both Shodan’s.

It’s been an extremely interesting journey.  My wife and I started taking Karate class because we felt that instead of just sitting and watching our son take class, we might as well do it also.  We started out taking one class a week, which turned into two, then three, then four and up to five classes a week at one point.  About three years ago, my wife, son and I started assisting with Karate classes,  I have been a judge at our local tournaments for almost two years and my wife just started judging this year.  My wife, son and I have gone to every club tournament since 2005 and have competed in all but one or two.  We became totally addicted, or maybe obsessed is a better word, with Karate.

Karate for me is not just learning to kick and punch, it has turned into a way of life.  I am a different person than I was just six short years ago.  I have met many people and have made many great friends because of Karate.   I reached the best physical shape of my life and have a better mental outlook and a calmer head than I have ever had before.

I have had a huge support group over the years, including many Sensei’s and friends, who helped me along the way.  I am truly grateful to all of them and appreciate everything they have done to help me reach my goal of becoming a Black Belt.

I am still in a state of shock at this point but if you are wondering what the future of Shotokanplanet.org is, I intend to continue writing about my classes and my experiences in Karate but hopefully on a little more regular basis than I have been recently.