Another tournament year has started for Karate Ontario, with the first Grand Prix tournament taking place next Sunday June 6th at Humber College in Toronto.
Which means there is not a lot of time for dusting off the required kata, polishing some new ones and getting back into training every day for it. Although sometimes it is VERY hard to find the time, it is so worth it, as training with a specific goal in mind (whether it's a tournament or a grading) has always been the most fun for me.
So off I go to SMA in Kingston, where I spend some time working with my team (Hi Michelle! Hi Katrina!) or alone under the constant direction of Shihan Patry. Three hours of continous work, paying attention to the tiniest detail and correcting constantly; there is so much to learn (and so much to fix!). But after every class, I leave feeling very excited and inspired about my training.
And everyone needs that.
We get very comfortable in our own clubs with our own Senseis. We really need to get out and see what other schools and other Senseis have to offer. Whether it's one seminar or a day full of them (Capital Conquest or Kingston Kicks, for example), you need to experience more than just what is at home in your own club. It will jump start your training and it is so much fun. People do martial arts these days because they love it. Going to an event where you are surrounded by other people who are all there because they share a love for the same thing - it's amazing!
Negativity breeds negativity. Surround yourself with positive people who love life and you will find it easy to laugh and enjoy yourself. That is what we are all about. Life can be incredibly hectic and stressful. Let's get together to enjoy the martial arts and leave all the negativity behind. Let's get inspired to train harder and to be the best martial artists we can be - and let's have a blast doing it. A HUGE thank you to all of the people in my life who make my training so much fun. You guys are AWESOME!!!
xoxo
