Student Profiles

Kempo Essay: Joe

Joe is a seventeen-year-old who has been training for more than two-thirds of his life. As he eludes to, he doesn’t remember a time when he was not a Potomac Kempo student. Recently, we had the honor to promote him to Second-Degree Black Belt, an honor that only a handful of others have achieved before graduating high school. We are very proud of Joe and are excited to see all of the great things he will accomplish in life with this solid Kempo-based foundation.

Kempo has had an immense effect on my life, and I can confidently say that I would be a very different person without the experiences I have had at the dojo. Physically, of course, the practicing of Kempo is the source of much of my exercise, keeping me healthy and fit. This, however, in my opinion, is overshadowed by what Kempo has taught me about life. There are so many real-life lessons that I have learned from my training that I cannot possibly recount them all, so I will share with you a few of the ones that I think are most important. First, there is always a way to improve anything you are working on. Whether it is Kempo two or differential equations, there is always going to be someone who is better at it than you, and if you listen to them, you will improve. This teaches us humility and the value of having a teacher.

Another thing I have learned from Kempo is that to become good at something you need more than the effort put in; you need commitment, enthusiasm, and friends to help you along your journey. The amount of these things I have had has varied along my Kempo journey, and this has shown in my progress. Kempo taught me the importance of these factors, and now I strive to find them in all projects that I pursue. Finally, Kempo has gone even beyond teaching me simple lessons, it has altered my outlook on life. I cannot truly say what I would be without Kempo because I barely remember a time before I started training, but I know that Kempo has taught me patience over the years. And that putting in lots of effort for a distant reward is worth it eventually. It takes practice to remember a Kempo, even more, to be able to do it well. The same is true for life and Kempo helped to demonstrate this for me beyond what other experiences ever could.

Thank you for teaching me,
Joe

Kempo Essay: Emily

I have two wonderful daughters and a wonderful husband. I have full time job that is challenging and, I believe, meaningful. As a mother, wife, and leader I have a lot of responsibilities and keep very busy. I needed a little time and an opportunity to focus on being a better me – to take care of myself so that I can be there for my family, those I lead, and those I serve. I studied martial arts when I was younger and really enjoyed it. I joined Potomac Kempo because I hoped that I would find the opportunity I needed – to improve my fitness, to challenge myself mentally and physically, and to have fun.

My first goal was to make Potomac Kempo part of my routine. With the support of my family, I have been able to be at the dojo three, and even sometimes four, times a week. Doing so while still being there for my family, those I lead, and those I serve has been a major achievement. A second goal was to improve my fitness. Over the last year, I have worked to incorporate fitness into my routine, finding opportunities to run, ride, or swim a couple of times a week. Since joining Potomac Kempo, I have been more active. I have blocked, punched, kicked, and had a lot of fun. A third goal was just that – to have fun, to find an activity I enjoyed that would benefit me not only mentally and physically but also emotionally. I look forward to going to the dojo, and I return to my daughters, my husband, and my job a little bit tired, a little bit fitter, and a little bit happier.

My ultimate goal is to be the best me I can be – to be the best mother, wife, and leader that I can. I believe that Potomac Kempo can help me achieve that goal. I hope to continue to make Potomac Kempo a part of my routine. At times doing so will be a challenge, particularly as my family’s needs change and the demands of my job grow, but I know that I need to take care of myself so that I can be there for my family, those I lead, and those I serve. I hope to continue to improve my fitness – to increase my endurance, strength, and agility. I hope to improve those techniques that I have learned, to learn new techniques, and to gain confidence in my ability. I am eager to learn Kata 1, Kempo 3, and much more. Finally, I hope to keep having fun because as long as I am having fun I will come back to the dojo and because having fun is an important part of being the best me that I can be.

Kempo Essay: Marta

Journey from white coat to white belt

Academia is forgiving – most of the time. . . Frequent relocations are an unspoken part of the biological sciences. Not this time though. . . After over 11 years in the research laboratory, uncounted hours behind the bench and the recent relocation I ended up on “the bench” – at home. It was fun at first but soon I realized that I needed a goal, something to stride towards – a project that could result in something great. No, this time it would not be another scientific article. . . so what else could it be? Science was almost everything that I knew in my adult life.

Deep down I knew that with the New Year’s arrival it was time for action! I couldn’t spend my life in D.C. just “running” a house. I needed a challenge, something outside of my comfort zone, to challenge my mind and body, something that I would never try while working in the lab. One evening, my husband casually said “join a gym, sign up for a class”. . . Easy to say but for me an hour at the gym was a worst punishment. Yoga, zumba, pillates – not on the top of my list either. It had to be something else out there that fit my personality. Browsing for some classes near where I live I came upon a martial arts class. Something clicked; I remember seeing signs for a karate place. And there it was – Potomac Kempo. I knew that my fitness level was close to none, I could barely do a push-up. I never tried martial arts before but reading some of the inspirational stories on the website I decided to try. I attended my first solo class and it was like a love from the first sight. That same week I went to a group class and there was no doubt in my mind that THIS was IT – my challenge. I knew this will not be an easy road – I didn’t want “easy” anyway. I knew I need to work hard, push my body to the limits and discover muscles I didn’t know I had. I needed to challenge my mind. The night after group class I went to bed smiling to myself – something that didn’t happen for a long while. I was going to every class from that point on and I wanted to
learn more, master each Kempo, each Kata. I was/still am almost angry with myself that I cannot be flawless in what I learn, cannot remember all tips and tricks from every class. My short term goal was to find something to fill the void of research. Joining Potomac Kempo changed it completely. Now I can do more than one push-up and run few miles without running out of breath. Although my ultimate goal is to be as good in each Kempo as good I was in the bio lab with my experiments.

Within this first month since I’ve joined dojo, my life has change for better. I rediscovered “me” again, the happy, confident, ready to conquer the world me. Funny how little and how much at the same time one place can be for a person. Kempo opened new chapter in my life – and I wouldn’t change it for any research lab.

Now I can only hope that my stay in D.C. is long enough so I can stride to be a better person, better mom, better wife and better member of Potomac Kempo.

Kempo Essay: Jordan

Potomac Kempo - Kempo Essay - Jordan

My Black Belt Essay

by Jordan, age 8

Over the years, karate has taught me many things. It has taught me not just to defend myself and others but taught me to be loyal, helpful, kind and honest. Being a karate student means that you help people in every way possible. I know that karate will help me in the future. For example, it will help me to be healthy by exercising. It helped me to be respectful and have confidence. Being at karate has been fun and I hope that it will last for a long time. As a higher goal, I want to pass down the fun experience of karate as a teacher. I hope that our tradition stays until the end. It also taught me to listen by watching your teacher and focusing. If you have a goal that you want to reach, you don’t stop when you mess up. Believe in yourself and keep trying. Show respect to your parents and teachers by being nice and using manners. I will be able to use karate in the future if someone attacks me or a friend. Karate to me is the most important thing to me besides my family. It’s not just helpful but karate is very fun. I’m proud to be a karate student. Thank you all teachers. I appreciate all the help you gave me to get to this point.

A special thanks to you Sensei Cassie and Sensei Gary.

I love doing karate!

Kempo Essay: Ally

Kempo Quest

Well, it’s been quite a year! I really did not think I would stick with Kempo when I started a year ago, it seemed like such a whim and not something at which I would enjoy or could sustain, but here we are, Sensei Cassie, Sempei Erica, and I celebrating a year together this past Saturday. I could barely get through an entire class a year ago, and today, not only can I survive class, I feel decent about most of them.

The first hurdle(s) was attending class. The next hurdle was the first test for yellow. Not knowing what to expect, I was extremely nervous. I was more concerned with making it through the entire test versus actually obtaining the belt. The belt was nice, but physically having the stamina to make it through the test was of upmost concern. I passed. I cried. I was relieved, happy, proud, and super excited. My ballet teacher would have been horrified, but I did it. And then I passed the test for orange a few months later.

And now purple. Again, I am worried about my stamina. It’s a longer, harder test. I hope I make it through, but Kempo has prepared me for this. While I have not lost the weight I hoped to, I am more fit, I am stronger, I have (some) muscles, and I can do this if I can put my mind over my body mattering. I have learned to fight through some pain, test my physical and mental limits, and try harder, even when I don’t feel like it. I can do it. It may not be pretty and it may not be the best moves the dojo has ever seen, but I can do it. This is the most important lesson I have learned over the past year. I can try something new, work at it, power through and do it.

. . . but Kempo has prepared me for this

This very important lesson has also helped me with life in general – to power through. It has helped become a better parent – I can survive a five-year old’s tantrums because I can, I have to, and I have learned to be more patient. I can survive the morning commute. I can survive the work day and people’s frustrations with my decisions. And I can make it through a Kempo class.

The mental benefits have been enhanced the most. Class relieves stress from life and work. I can get out some aggression in an appropriate environment. I must remember kempos, katas, etc. and concentrate, think and focus, which science tells me will stave off Alzheimer’s and memory loss.

. . . which science tells me will stave off Alzheimer’s and memory loss

While still holding on to more weight than I would like, I am not in bad shape, considering factors such as age, previous injuries, and my sedentary day at work. I hope to learn more discipline so that I can conquer my food cravings and emotional eating. I hope to continue to progress, grow, and one day, even enjoy sparring.

– Ally Anderson

Kempo Essay: Lisa

Benefits of Kempo Training

Kempo training over the past six months has benefited me greatly in many ways, both physically and mentally. The highlights of the benefits I have experienced are an increase in physical stamina, decrease in aches and pains and a reduction in mental stress.

My physical stamina has increased dramatically. My body feels fit and with that comes many pluses such as having more energy throughout the day and being able to complete physical tasks like yard work and heavy lifting with more ease and less strain. My townhouse has three levels and fairly steep steps. It is less difficult for me now to move the laundry up and down from the basement to the bedroom to do it. Groceries are also easier to bring in from the basement level garage to the kitchen on the first level. Since I am already a small person, it helps to build up more strength just to get these tasks completed. I also feel as though I can play sports with more ease. Kempo has given me the confidence I needed to get back into playing hockey with a work group on Monday mornings. Before I would make excuses and was afraid to join in because I did not have the stamina to keep up, but now I play with ease and enjoyment.

Another physical benefit that I have noticed is a decrease in general body aches and pains. Since I have started Kempo my muscles have felt a million times better. It is true that people, as well as myself, think that since their body hurts that they should avoid moving, but this just perpetuates the pain, because not moving makes you hurt more. The key is to work through the pain and then it will eventually make you feel a lot better. I don’t consider myself achy anymore and the pain that I experience from a good workout is welcome and actually feels good.

Along with the physical benefits Kempo brings, it is responsible for mental benefits as well. Exercise itself is a stress reliever, helping to clear the mind at the end of a work day as well as helping to keep the mind fresh throughout the days to come. Kempo takes this one step further. Because Kempo requires memorization and thought of movement, it helps the mind to focus on something other than the stresses that lay ahead in work and home life. Having something to focus on that brings accomplishment and fosters goal setting are great ways that Kempo provides mental benefits.

I am very glad that I started Kempo and have kept up with it over these past six months. I am also very excited about things to come as I continue my Kempo journey.