HHhhiiii-YAH!

J-Boy started Karate classes a couple of weeks ago.  He was VERY excited after the first trial lesson.  Peering over the appealing, color-coded, graphical class schedule he stated with conviction, "I want to go to ALL of the classes for my level."  "I'm glad you like karate and had so much fun today, Sweetheart.  But I don't want you to overdo it."  "Okay," he compromised, "I'll only go to 75% of them."

We narrowed it down to twice a week.  Because there are quite a few classes available, the class size varies greatly.  On Tuesdays, there might be a dozen kids and four senseis, while on Fridays we have had the pleasure of four students to three senseis.  They are amazing with the kids, building up such self-esteem and confidence, gently but firmly teaching respect and self-discipline.  And humbleness.  "Hey, J, you're pretty good at this!"  "Yeah!  I think I was MADE for video games and karate!  I'm REALLY GOOD at both those things!" 

Plus, he looks really handsome in his uniform.

The students are learning some Japanese words and phrases as part of their training.  Words like, "teacher", "bow", "pray", "flag", and how to count to ten.  So far, I have not overheard instructions about battle cries, but MY son, being a natural, punctuates each demontration of force with an exuberant "HHhhiiii-YAH!".

Here he is working on precision roundhouse kicks, aiming to strike the little red ball-on-a-string. 

And getting in touch with the Grasshopper within...

We watched The Karate Kid last week for a Family Movie Night.  The BEST part about karate (for me) is that now I can hand him a rag and a spray bottle of Simple Green and have him practice "wax on, wax off" on various surfaces around the house!  Aaahhhh--the sweet smell of child labor.  He says the best part about karate for him is "just the fighting!  Oh, I mean, getting to defend myself..." Young Grasshopper, your jouney will be long, but already, you reach for the pebble with good consciousness and strength.

Comments

[Alisa]

He does look mighty handsome in that uniform. He also looks like he knows what he's doing. Glad he found his "thing".

[noble pig]

Those are awesome pics, I bet he loves looking at them!