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I know I have been away for sometime. Life for me has gotten really hectic and I have been having a tough time finding time to workout. Between the kids karate schedule, and my wife starting back to work I now maybe get to the gym once maybe twice a week. Not to fear though since my sons started karate, it rekindled a fire in me for the martial arts. Years ago (highschool) I studied Tae Kwon Do.
Now my boys and I are taking Kenpo. One of the things back before I started on my journey to better health, I had always said was if I didn’t goto the gym right after work I would never go back out. Well that is no longer true. On the nights that I train in Kenpo my class starts at 8:00. This is something that I never would have done roughly a year ago.
So I highly recommend that if you are looking to shake things up in your workout definitely look into the Martial Arts. Not only is it great exercise, but you’ll learn to defend yourself as well.
I definitely agree: martial arts are great. I’ve done a bit of aikido, but most of my experience has been with karate. I attended my old dojo on-and-off for about ten years (probably about 5 years total karate time, kyukushin style), and started at a new dojo in April (chito rhyu style). I love it! It’s been about three years since the last time I did karate, and I’d forgotten how much I love doing it.
It’s great, because it doesn’t feel like a “work out.” It feels like learning a new skill that just happens to involve moving your body. At least, that’s how it feels for me. I’d never be able to attend a gym long-term, but I’m going to be doing karate for the rest of my life.
All this to say, I second Stu’s recommendation. And, for the women in the audience who are a bit intimated: I’m a small girl (5’0"), and I can do it! You don’t need to be big, strong, or tough to do martial arts! Really!
I knew I liked you. I’ve practiced Kenpo Karate for over 16 years and finally got my Black Belt this past year. I was proud to have Ed Parker Jr. as one of the folks who signed my certificate. It’s a great and practical martial art and lots of fun. I’ve always said, “it’s a mini vacation”. Afterall, when you spend and entire hour working out and the goal is to avoid getting hit… who has time to think about anything else!
Keep those kids involved - it’s THE best thing you can do for them.
The race went great. I finished 75th out of 180 male participants in a time of 45 mins. Not bad for my first competitive run. I am looking forward to improving upon my time next year.
Scott,
That is amazing, congratz on acheiving your black belt. Since I started in Kenpo I have been getting really involved in learning the history of the art. This past Monday I had the privledge to train under Grand Master Frank Trejo. All I can say is wow!! I am proud to say I earned my crest. Kenpo has been a really rewarding experience for me and my boys. Maybe one day we can train together.
Say hello to Frank for me. I’ve known him for about 15 years and have taken many seminars along the way and had the privilge of producing his “Sticky Hands” video many years ago. And… as I recall he and I spent a couple of fun days in Pasadena running around visiting some of the original Kenpo masters and enjoying the sites.
Someday we’ll meet and have some good Kenpo conversation - and maybe knock it around a little just for the fun of it.
Definitely! It would be an honor. Mr. Frank was incredible. He had so many stories, not only did I learn techniques, but I learned a lot about the history of Kenpo and martial arts as well. It’s funny to look at him you would not think he’s a black belt. But once you see him in motion there is no doubt. I think he is in this area until Sunday. Not sure where he is going after that. Was it Mr. Frank who tested you for your black? The school I am apart of if of the Parker/Trejo Lineage. But my instructor has trained under Dr. Stuart, Mr. Lawler, as well as a few others.
I knew there was a reason why I was drawn to this site.
I know you are a bit pre-occuppied these days and I don’t blame you. I just thought you would like to know that last week I received my first promotion. Yup, got my yellow stripes. Looking to test for my yellow, hopefully next month. Thanks for all of your support.
What’s better is now my sons can’t tease me anymore (They are 6 and soon to be 5). My oldest was teasing me that he was a higher ranking then me. He had two yellow stripes on his white belt and I was just a white belt. It was actually pretty cute, because when they earn their stripes they run over to their parent at class to show them the stripe and give them a big hug. So when I showed them that I earned my stripes the next morning, they told me to come over to them so they could give me a hug and tell me they are proud of me. It’s really cute hearing a 4 year old say “I’m so proud of you daddy!” It was a great way to start off the day.
1 year ago none of this would have been possible. I was 30 lbs heavier and very out of shape. I would not have even thought about taking karate. Heck, I probably wouldn’t have even thought about taking my kids to karate, I was way to lazy. Wow what a difference a year makes!
That’s so cute! I remember when I was helping out with the kids’ classes and we’d do exams for them. At the end of the class, we’d have a few dozen very excited 5-year-olds running to show their parents their new belt. It was adorable.
Just thought I would get everyone up to date. I passed my yellow belt test on Feb 21st. and am quickly moving towards my first orange stripe. Just last week I was re-introduced to a great workout, sparring. I don’t remember it being that exhausting when I was younger. We have not done it two weeks in a row and each time the next day I am definitely feeling it. Lastnight I even got my bell rung a little.
It’s been a while since I’ve done freestyle sparring. It was an integral part of my old dojo’s training, but at my new one they don’t do it until green belt, and I’m still orange. But you’re right: it’s a *great* workout!
