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Amy Tolliver - Nidan Instructor - Age 21
To some martial artists, karate is about the cheering of spectators. To others it's about the adrenaline rush of competition or the accomplishment of winning of a trophy. To me karate is internal; it is about heart. It is a journey of learning, of coming to know yourself and conquering your innermost fears. I have been on this journey for over eleven years now and in some ways I feel more like a beginner now than when I took my first step as a martial artist at eight years of age. My family and I started training to learn self-defense. While a very good reason given the precarious world we live in, for me, karate has become something much more. It was while in the dojo that I learned patience. I learned to listen--to my teachers, my fellow students, and to myself. More importantly, I learned to hear.
Being so young a beginning martial artist it was obviously several years before I realized the vitality and the rarity of such lessons. Karate helped me become disciplined mentally and physically. Few young people today can grasp that kind of maturity. In our dojo we are taught the value of perseverance. Because of that, I have yet to consider failure an option. I expect and demand the best from myself; I know of no other way to be. God has blessed me with intelligence and abilities that I refuse to take for granted; in my schooling I push myself, taking the hardest classes, making the best grades. Karate allowed me to continue on to success when others would have given up. It has not been easy but my mind and my will were shaped by karate as clay is by a potter into something resembling steel; I refuse to back down or give up. I put tremendous effort into my studies, taking advantage of the honor and discipline learned from my training, until it was rewarded when I was named valedictorian of my graduating class in high school.
Another aspect of karate that was unexpected was family. I was not prepared to care so much or learn so much about love from training karate. Sensei Brock has been exceptional, teaching me far more about life than any teacher before him. He has been like a second father in my life, giving me so much and helping me realize my potential. My fellow karateka, whom have now become my students also, along with my Sensei are my family the same as my blood relations. It was that bond of love and compassion I gained from karate that made me yearn to pass it along to others.
Karate taught me to open my heart and be unafraid of what happens when I do. It is part of my life now, part of my entire being. I am a better person because of karate and the truths it revealed will stay with me wherever I go until the end of my days.
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"My testimonial must begin with saying thanks to my daddy for getting me into karate at the young age of 10. I do not know if I would have come on my own at such a young age, in fact I was scared of the idea, but God knew that Karate would be something that would help me in all areas of my life...so I stand to say that it was God who showed me the greatness of karate and therefore my daddy had to get me involved. I have been instructed by two Sensei’s in my training--Sensei Robert Mallin and Sensei Mickey Brock. I have learned so much from both! Karate has taught me that I cannot just stop at just average, I must strive to be better than my average even though perfection will never be reached in this lifetime--we as students and human beings should always strive for our inner best! I feel that even though I have been in training for awhile I have just touched the tip of a lifetime of learning. Karate is an art form and a pattern for the way we should be toward one another. Karate has also taught me to push myself to be the best martial artist I can be! Sometimes I see my training partners who don't push themselves and it makes me sad because I know what treasures they are missing when they choose to not be the best they can be. I want to say that when we come to karate we all need to train like we want the training! Train like it means something in your heart! I believe that we all can be better each time we train! I have learned many things on my journey down the martial path and I believe that the kata and self-defense are my most favorite techniques to train. I love the kata because they are all secret keys! Within the kata there are balance, focus, and spirit. Within the kata are secrets to self-defense and the key to Goju lies within the kata as well. The kata has many facets, all of which reveal new meaning every time they are performed. I could write on and on, but one of the more important things that I need to say is that even though I have achieved Shodan--I feel as though my training is just a grain of sand compared to the great ocean of things I will learn each time I train. I have a long journey ahead of me and if the Lord wills, I will be training karate, keeping my focus, and seeking perfection in all that I do even when I am 90 years old! And I mean that too!! Karate is a part of my life now, just like eating and sleeping, so it is my duty to see that it never dies within my soul. Thank you Sensei Brock for all you have taught me--I'm definitely not through learning or getting better!!" (Laura T. - age 20 - now a 23 year old Nidan Instructor)
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"I have found that GOJU Karate training offered at Tenchi Family Karate has improved many areas of my life. I am stronger and now recover more quickly after a run or tennis match. My flexibility has improved tremendously. I had suffered from hip pains due to tight hip flexor. I have not had issues with my hip since starting my training. I knew the physical workouts would develop my strength, but I was not sure about the cardiovascular part of the training. I am happy to report that recently I competed in a league tennis match and was able to keep up with my much younger opponent, and I believe that I now recover more quickly from basketball or tennis games than ever before. I can run miles even though I don't regularly run. Since the dojo is a traditional GOJU Karate dojo we learn a lot about Japan / Okinawa and their customs and a large vocabulary of Japanese words. We stress humility and a keen desire to learn." (Alan B. - age 44)
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"I enjoy karate because it makes me feel safer and I have made some friends in karate. Karate has made me stronger mentally and physically. It makes me have a can-do attitude because "can't" is not a word in the dojo. I think Sensei Brock is an extremely excellent teacher, and I thank all of the Sensei's for giving me this incredible education in karate." (Austin P. - age 10)
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"I love being at karate because if you had a bad day you can get your anger out. The teachers are nice, helpful, and caring. If I did not go I might be watching TV most of the day. It's not too long, or too short. You learn history about different people who taught other Masters. People think that you just fight other people, but there is much more to it." (Marian L. - age 8 - now a 13 year old Junior Black Belt)
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"Karate at Tenchi Family Karate has helped our son tremendously! Under the superior guidance of Brock Sensei his overall self-being has improved dramatically. Mentally, his self-confidence has soared. Physically, his stamina is noticeably greater. He now takes great pride in his personal endeavors and accomplishments. All classes are taught stressing strong moral values which is a rare blessing in today's world." (PRBA)
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"My son has been studying at the Tenchi Family Karate for about three years. During this time I have observed many of the sessions and spoken with Sensei Brock on many occasions. I have developed a deep respect for the true work and discipline the Sensei’s instill in their students. This is not a belt mill. A student has to truly show that they are ready for the next level. I am proud of the work my son has put into this study and cannot wait for my daughter to join as soon as she is old enough." (WCLSP)
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"Our son has been taking karate here since the new dojo opened in 2001. After trying team sports such as baseball, basketball, and football, we decided our son might be better suited for a sport in which he could compete individually and set his own goals. We have been very pleased with the quality of instruction received from the Senseis at this school. They expect the best from each student and have earned the respect of all. Each student must perform at a very high level to receive the next belt, and we have been so proud each time a new belt is earned because it is a true achievement, gained from hours of hard work and dedication. Our family has had the opportunity to travel with our son for competitions at the national level. We feel that karate has helped our son's self esteem, attitude, and sense of discipline." (SKLMHDT)
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"Our daughter began taking karate at the Tenchi Family Karate at ten years of age. She chose karate instead of two dance classes. She soon learned in karate that she competes with herself to focus and push to her own limit. In a short time she developed strong arms and leg muscles which gave her ample energy for everyday activities. She also became very agile and flexible. She was surprised at her own strength. Learning the kata gave her good balance and strong bones.
Through karate she has developed many aspects in her character parents hope for in their children. She has high self-esteem and poise. Her determination to win has carried over to the classroom where her excellence shines forth on each report. She has self control when confronted with a challenge of any sort. She has a respectful attitude toward her teachers as well as her peers. She has a good sense of humor, and can take a joke. She has balance in all areas; social, emotional, mental and physical. Karate has been a good, wholesome experience and it has benefits that will reach into her future." (BJMC)
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A father of one of our junior students came up to me and was very excited to tell me some news. His son was having trouble focusing on his work in school last year, and I guess his grades suffered as a result. His father told me his focus is much better now, he's not as shy and reserved as he was and is now very confident in standing before the class and speaking. He attributes this turnaround in confidence and abilities solely to his karate training, and is extremely happy with the way things are going. I'm so proud of him! Thank you, Sensei.
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My name is Danny Cochran. I am a pastor, but when I am at our Karate School I am a student just like everyone else. Almost 2 years ago I was looking for a type of exercise program to loose a few pounds and I called the numbers that you will find on the web site. I was surprised to talk to Sensei Brock. Mr. Brock has been a family friend for years and the Brock family is a well-respected name in the Dalton area for longer than I can remember. So I sat in on a session and believed it might help me. IT HAS! There are too many benefits to name them all but here are a few: Strength, Stamina, Flexibility, Focus, Awareness, and Reactions. All have greatly improved. Breathing. My lungs and airways are noticeably clearer. At a spiritual level, my faith has been a help in karate and karate has been a help to my faith, with focus and meditation. Also, Sensei Tolliver and Sensei Brock are very professional, with all activities supervised. The student family and their support have far surpassed my expectations. Self Defense is something you hope you will never need. The more you learn about it and how to properly use it, the more it gives you confidence that you could defuse a violent situation. In the day we live in, it could come in handy. Parents, I recommend this school. I have witnessed myself the young people reaching a HIGHER level of respect and discipline with a good nature. I only regret that I did not start younger.
p.s. I have lost a few pounds too.
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What does karate mean to me? As a forty-year-old adult karate means something different than it does for a twenty year old on some levels and entirely the same on other levels. What do I mean by this statement? Well, I first trained as a twenty year old for about six month’s and have been training as a forty year old for a little over a year. Now that I am older I appreciate exactly what Karate offers me in cardio training, muscle training and mental training. As a twenty year old I only saw the cardio and muscle training. I regret not finding this focus earlier but am thankful I was smart enough to finally figure it out-age is good on so many levels for me. My endurance has definitely increased from karate. I thought I had good endurance from aerobics and exercise classes but I now know I
have endurance on more sustainable levels for longer periods of time. I have more developed muscles in places that I had not been able to tone quite like I had wanted in the past. My bodies’ reaction time and quickness is improved. My balance and flexibility have increased. I’m more flexible now than I was in my teens or twenties and just as flexible as some of the teens and twenties in class. Do I recover as quickly as the teens and twenties in class, probably not. Am I going to let them know it? No, but I don’t think my recovery time is far behind theirs! This is where the mental training comes into play. I am learning to control impulses to stop doing something just because it’s a little difficult or because it pushes me outside my comfort zone. I know I can do a lot more than I have allowed myself to do in the past, both mentally and physically and karate has helped bring these facts to the fore front. I use karate as my stress reliever. I can focus my negative energies into strengthening my body and into learning a very old art form and sport at the same time. The one thing Karate is teaching me which I had not expected is the ability to trust my instincts and to not question my body/mind so much. Do I recommend karate to other people, most definitely! Do I recommend any karate school, no. Karate is an art that teaches you self-defense no matter how you look at the reasons behind why you train. I personally have been inside some schools that were teaching karate with little regard for the respect of the techniques or history behind what makes karate, karate. I think this can have a negative effect, especially on younger people when or if they are faced with a physical confrontation. In our school we are taught never to attack, to walk away if at all possible, but to defend ourselves if forced with as little harm done to our attackers as necessary. If you don’t respect or know what type of harm you can cause to other people both physically and emotionally, someone can get hurt and it could possibly be you! We are taught mantras in class and respect to others is always at the top. I think you will find respect from everyone at Tenchi Family Karate and not just from the Sensei-teacher but from the students as well. I have never seconded guessed my selection of this karate school. I don’t have to worry about my children hanging out around the dojo or the other students in the school, you won’t hear any of the students putting someone down and you won’t hear trash talk. You defiantly won’t find over inflated egos, these quickly are deflated during kumite-fight training. Everyone is equal; some are just farther along in their training! (BTM)
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