It's not just for kids

When my family started martial arts 6 years ago, I would always tag along and watch; secretly wishing I could do what they were doing. I was pregnant at the time and after the baby was born, I continued taking the kids to class and watching each class. To stay involved with the kids, I began doing some administrative work for our instructor. It was fun to be a part of what they were doing. I would still watch the kids and wish I could do what they were doing. They looked like they were having so much fun. However, I never thought that I could do it, and as a perfectionist didn't have the courage to try. If I do something, I want to do it well and I just didn't think I could do martial arts.

Soke would often ask me when was I going to start class and I would just laugh at him and say, "well I have the baby so I can't". In January of 07, Soke hired a babysitter and I was out of excuses!

In the beginning, I was terrified that I would look stupid trying to do some of the things my children perfected. They made it look so easy. I was so afraid that I would embarrass my husband and children because I couldn't even run one lap without stopping. But I kept at it because I wanted to be a part of what they were doing.

One of the coolest moments I ever experienced was during my white belt test and I heard my kids yell out, "Come on Mom, you can do it". Usually I was the one cheering them on. There have been many great moments since and the friends that we have made will last a lifetime.

It's been two years since I started and I have earned my green belt. I am still doing the administration for the school and loving each and every class. The interesting thing that occured to me lately is that I'm no longer doing it for my kids but for myself. I don't mean that in a selfish way, but in the aspect of furthering my development as a person and a martial artist. I love our classes and learning the things we are learning and it's exciting to begin helping others get started.

Martial arts isn't just for kids. It's for anyone that wants to try. Don't worry about how you look, or how much you can do. Just go for it; If I can do it so can you.

Lisa