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Full disclosure: Unlike most of you, I’m just starting my martial arts journey along with my family. Although I possess no secret knowledge, Black Belt asked me to share my story in hopes that it might inspire others, no matter where they are in their own personal development, during this difficult time brought on by COVID.
My introduction to shorin-ryu shorinkan began during the pandemic — specifically, in the second half of 2020. My wife happened to show our children one of the Karate Kid movies, and by the time the credits rolled, they were begging to take lessons. This was around the time one of my friends started taking classes in traditional Okinawan karate. More often than not, our conversations would circle back to his training. I always listened intently, but I never really considered joining him.
My middle son, however, was a different story. Every time he saw my friend, he’d ask him to demonstrate the “move of the week.” He and his brothers were clearly interested, but their involvement in other fall activities kept my wife and me from checking out the opportunities for them to train. It wasn’t until spring 2021 that I called the dojo and spoke with the sensei. He invited us to bring them in so they could try a class. The boys were on board from the get-go.
Soon afterward, the teacher invited my wife and me to try the adult class, which we did. We were and given the opportunity to wield a and nunchaku, as well as learn a little kata. I felt like Donatello from . The entire family was all in.
