The students of the Kid's
Genwakai Karate class and their instructors worked hard and prepared a
public demo to present for their families and friends.
Below are pictures that help to highlight the hard work and excellence of
these young men and women.
The students all begin
with warm ups followed by basic technique exercises. As the
students move on to more advanced techniques, the lower ranking students
wait patiently for their next instruction.
Sensei leads class as the
students work on basic kicking techniques on their right and left side.
After the basics, the students
move on to Kata. Kata or 'forms' are a series of pre-arranged
techniques done in a specific order and pattern.
Kata test a student's mental and
physical abilities. Being able to perform them correctly requires self
discipline and hard work.
As students display mastery of
their basic requirements, they advance in rank earning additional knowledge
and new kata to master.
The core of the Genwakai Kid's
Karate program is discipline and respect for themselves and others.
Students begin and end every class with formal reshiki (etiquette).
Students are expected to be polite and respectful and to display self
discipline both in and out of the Dojo.
These values help children to
succeed in all aspects of their home, school, and Dojo life.
In Japan, a rei (bow) is the western equivalent of shaking hands, it is a sign of respect. Having successfully completed their demonstration, the students bow deeply to their Sensei and parents in a show of thanks and respect.
Congratulations are in order for
the students and instructors of the Genwakai Kid's Karate program. The
hard
work and discipline that went
into the demo was evident throughout the display. Thanks to all
who participated.