My Daughter's Acclimation To The Dojo

Our family outing started with a short detour to our daughters’ favorite eating establishment, McDonalds. We wanted to make sure that they were fed and reasonably happy prior to getting to the dojo. I was very apprehensive about bringing them but also wanted them to see where I went every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning.

I must say the whole eating in the car as we drive is waaaaaaaaay over rated. I had an orange soda between my feet, to my left (I wasn’t driving, I was shotgun this time) was an opened box of nuggets with fries put into the lid for easy access, a soda in the cup holder for Rob, another soda for myself in the dashboard cup holder, the glove box was open so it held both Rob’s and my fries, and in my hand was my deluxe Angus burger. Yep nothing can go wrong here. I must say, this should be one of the life lessons that should be a college course, for every wannabe parent. After getting situated, we started to move, the soda between my feet rolled over on its side, I was scrambling to put the burger down and to make sure the soda in the dashboard cup holder didn’t spill plus trying to unbuckle my seat belt to retrieve the rolling soda between my legs. I was seeing this wasn’t going at all like I expected it.

Well after the little mishap, onward we went, making our trek to Appleton to acclimate my children to dojo life. Upon arrival, I scanned the parking lot and noticed only Sensei’s vehicle in the parking lot. That’s a good sign, we were a bit early so the girls would be able to go into the dojo and get accustomed to it at their own pace. Getting the girls out of the Tahoe and into the dojo with my gear, their gear and not enough hands was a challenge but once in the door, there was a bit of relief, everyone was safe and sound.

First thing I did was bowed, hoping that the girls would notice this but knowing they would be too busy soaking up the atmosphere. I said hi to Sensei, Kira followed suit as well, she piped up saying, “Hello Sensei, I Kira!” Sensei looked like he melted, I saw the tenderness come into his eyes, Sensei said, “Hi Kira, how are you?” Kira was too busy already wanting to soak in and explore as much as she could, Sensei turned and looked at Nicole, saying, “and who are you?” since Nicole was a bit shy and not ready to answer yet, I spoke for her, “and that’s little Nicole”, Sensei said hi to both of my girls. Kira, like myself on first introduction to this dojo, even before I became a student, wanted to get out onto that mat. She still had her shoes on, so I had to tell her to get her shoes off first. After that, she headed over to Sensei to talk to him, of course, little Nicole followed suit. After about 15 minutes of playing with Sensei, kicking the soccer balls and running around, it was time for my class to start.

I must say that I was very proud of my little 2 year old and 3 year old. When Sensei said to put the balls away and sit down they listened with some coaching from both myself and Rob. I bowed in to start the class with both Tom and Sensei, Karla was still sick so she wasn’t in class. The girls and Rob were sitting in the observation area, my back was towards them so I couldn’t see them, just heard them. Rob was having fun getting them situated, I had packed some crayons and their coloring books and regular reading books should they become antsy. I was hoping it wasn’t going to be too much of a distraction for the class. We started warm ups, all the while, I was focusing my listening on them, doing the exercises to loosen up my muscles but always listening to see if they were behaving themselves.

After warm ups, we practiced Ippon, Kihon, and then Sensei said to review Wansu kata. At this point I believe we heard a crash, and little Kira’s voice saying, “I think I have a problem here.” Turning around I saw she had run into the Shoji screen outside the men’s change room. I looked quickly over at Rob, and he had this look of disappointment on his face, but a look of concern quickly replaced the disappointed look. Rob went and lifted the screen from my daughter and got her back to the observation area. I looked at Sensei, and quickly he said, “It’s okay, it’s okay” The screen was put back up, both my little energetic child nor the screen were damaged.

At this point Rob thought it was best to remove the girls for a bit. They left the dojo to watch a cartoon in the truck outside and also to finish the rest of their snacks. Sensei continued working the Bunkai to Wunsu with me and made me go over and over the techniques. I was exhausted, emotionally and physically. Putting a bit more effort into my techniques, concentrating on the application portions, and wanting Rob to see that “old me”. Over and over I practiced, both with Sensei being the attacker and me doing the defending. Sensei then left me alone to work on things myself as he went to teach Tom his new kata, Dan En Sho.

While I was working the kata by myself I had a revelation on one of the techniques, a part in Wunsu where I’m in cat stance, executing a knife hand thrust , brushing the imaginary punch away and stepping into the punch reinforcement, and then downward strike to the groan part. I had let out an “aaaayyy” in reaction to my revelation. Sensei came over and he said, what did you figure out. I told him what I found out, and how the technique just naturally flowed and he said, “What you have learned is far more advanced than what we teach white belts, good, good, continue… “ I saw the smile of satisfaction on his face, then he stopped me in the next moves to correct my stance and position and explained why I should do it that way. After I completed the kata for the 10th time in this class. I heard my babies come back into the dojo… Sensei looked at me, and said we have time to do the Bunkai one more time, I’m thinking he wanted my girls and my husband to see the progression since they had left. We went through the bunkai, him attacking and me defending as my family watched me. At the end when both Sensei and I bowed and finished the kata and bunkai. My whole body crumbled, the class was over.

We bowed out and everything became informal again, the girls took off their shoes and got back out on the mat and continued their play time with Sensei. After about 10 minutes, I told the girls it was time for our drive home. The girls said their goodbyes to Sensei and we started our way out of the door. Sensei had stopped Rob and was able to talk to him a bit about my progress. It was all good, the exchange left both the special people in my life happy that their meeting and my girls introduction went over well.

When we got back outside, Kira wanted to go back in because she forgot to give Sensei a kiss goodbye. I told her, “You can give him a kiss next time sweety, the next time you come to visit. “

When you don't give up, good things happen

Well after an emotional and deep thinking day, Rob convinced me that I needed my karate. So I started the 45 minute trek to Appleton. At the end of my driveway going onto Brule, two twits in two separate cars decided they were going to have a conversation in the middle of the street. So of course, I waited for them to end their conversation. Proceeding down the road some more, I turned onto Charles Street, and was behind a van that was going to go straight through the intersection but every time she tried to go, another car would come, and since she decided to hog the road, I had no luck in going around her to make my right turn. So there I sat. At this point I was thinking, maybe I should just stay home, the whole day was a huge frustration and it didn't seem like it was getting any better. Finally there was a break, she was able to go forward and through the intersection and I made my right turn onto Webster Avenue. Another intersection ahead I needed to make a left onto George Street, so I can go through the roundabout then over the bridge. A bus is making a left turn at the next intersection on George and Erie. I dove around on the right and got through the intersection. At this point, I was really thinking I was just going to turn around, screw it, people are just annoying me and it felt like the world was just trying to piss me off. Driving down the rest of George Street, I had no problems, down Main Street De Pere and over the bridge, no problems, getting onto Hwy 41 S, no problem. I was on cruise control now.. heading to Appleton. Well I got to the dojo at 5:30. I thought it very strange that Sensei's vehicle wasn't outside, or anyone else's for that matter. I parked, and got out and walked to the door. I called the Dojo, knowing no one was in there but leaving a message for Sensei letting him know I came and left. I went back to my car, and called home letting Rob know I was coming home... Rob suggested I wait until the start time of class just in case, I didn't receive an email or call from Sensei and knew it wasn't like him not to let me know of NO CLASS. So I sat and waited until 5:45. At 5:42, I see Tom driving towards me and park. He looks just as confused as I was. We discuss the possibilities of why Sensei's not there. He did have that seminar in South Carolina over the weekend. But still doesn't explain why Sensei wouldn't have called all of us. Tom leaves. I'm calling Rob to let him know I'm leaving Appleton, and while talking to Rob, Sensei shows up... I tell Rob that class is on. Any normal person would be annoyed. I was more concerned. This is not Sensei's way.

Dawning my gei and stepping out onto the mat, I realized I had Sensei all to myself tonight. This was going to be a good night. Get all my questions answered even the simpler ones I have. Sensei asked me what I wanted to work on tonight. I said Wunsu... he said good, then we will go through the kata, and dissect it... I was in my glory... he also said we were going to do Bunkai, which is the last thing I need for my promotion. I have 5 Ippon, 5 Kihon, 5 self defence moves, 3 Tae Kyo Ku, Wansu Kata and the last piece to the puzzle, the Bunkai (meaning interpretation and application - what the attacker is doing while you perform kata). We worked on this for the whole class, dissecting each move, applying theory, and performing... I was definitely in my element.

One thing I noticed though, doing the defending portion (the kata I've practiced over 100 times now) seemed to have flown out the window. It reminded me how I was when I was trying to learn how to drive a standard vehicle years ago with Crystal. At that time, I already knew how to drive a car, but getting the shifting and clutch thing added into the mix, made me forget how to steer the car. Crystal can attest how uncoordinated I was that day driving her mom's little Geo. I was glad I only had Sensei to watch my struggling. I must say he's a very patient man, and I love him for that. The hour class flew by. It was time to bow out and go home. Sensei and I talked about my future plans on going to Canada at least two more times by Christmas. I told him I wasn't too concerned about when I was getting promoted but had some questions about my daughters and husband coming to watch me when I get promoted. He said he didn't have a problem with it, but wanted me to feel comfortable and not distracted by their presence. He did suggest that they come to some classes prior to my promotion just to get them acclimated to the Dojo environment so that when and if they came to my promotion I wouldn't be distracted. So this upcoming Thursday, Rob and my little future karateka will be coming to watch me. Yes, I'm nervous. I haven't really performed for any of them. I can feel the self consciousness move in and the insecurities. I'm sure that will all dissipate once we all get there and class starts. It will be an eye opener for everyone I think. The girls haven't seen this side of Mommy, and it will show me if they will have an interest in it and maybe even the beginnings of love for the sport.