I started training in in Martial Arts in 1993
My passion for martial arts formed somewhere in between He-Man and The Masters of the Universe and the first time I saw Ernie Reyes Jr. in Red Sonja. Knowing how to fight for good and justice inspired by my favorite cartoon linked up with seeing a child doing really cool martial arts made me realize that 'Karate' would be the best way for me to become one of my heroes.
I began my training at a local rec-council martial arts club that taught TaeKwonDo. I practiced steadily for several years going up the ranks and training through to the (children's) black-belt level. I participated in tournaments both for sparring and forms. I deeply value my time learning TaeKwonDo as it gave me a firm grasp of the basics that would come in handy for years to come.
In high school my practice petered out as I began to focus on other things; friends, work, theatre, dance. After that I found myself pining for my bygone days of training. When someone would talk about 'Karate' I would get excited and join in with fond memories of what I used to know and very rarely "practiced" for fun. Then, one day, just after my 21st birthday my father asked me a strikingly simple question "What makes you happy, Shaun?"
I thought about the answer for just a moment before I laughed and said "martial arts." My dad looked at and asked the most logical question I had ever been asked, "Well, why don't you do it?" I shook my head and replied, "I don't know."
The next day I signed up for classes at a local HapKiDo school and proceeded to train and teach there for the next 7 years.
After earning my 2nd Degree (Dan) Black Belt I began to actively cross train. I made it a practice to seek out other styles and, more importantly, instructors that suited me. I have trained in Aikido, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Muay Thai and many more styles all of which have helped to make me the martial artist that I am today and aspire to be in the future.
I stopped training on a daily basis a few years ago for a number of complex reasons (excuses). I catch myself pining for it all the time, however. It is my strong desire to return to training as an "empty cup" and re-learn everything I thought I knew. In the mean time I'll revel in the glory of what I used to be.
You're only a martial artist while you train. After you stop you simply were one.
I began my training at a local rec-council martial arts club that taught TaeKwonDo. I practiced steadily for several years going up the ranks and training through to the (children's) black-belt level. I participated in tournaments both for sparring and forms. I deeply value my time learning TaeKwonDo as it gave me a firm grasp of the basics that would come in handy for years to come.
In high school my practice petered out as I began to focus on other things; friends, work, theatre, dance. After that I found myself pining for my bygone days of training. When someone would talk about 'Karate' I would get excited and join in with fond memories of what I used to know and very rarely "practiced" for fun. Then, one day, just after my 21st birthday my father asked me a strikingly simple question "What makes you happy, Shaun?"
I thought about the answer for just a moment before I laughed and said "martial arts." My dad looked at and asked the most logical question I had ever been asked, "Well, why don't you do it?" I shook my head and replied, "I don't know."
The next day I signed up for classes at a local HapKiDo school and proceeded to train and teach there for the next 7 years.
After earning my 2nd Degree (Dan) Black Belt I began to actively cross train. I made it a practice to seek out other styles and, more importantly, instructors that suited me. I have trained in Aikido, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Muay Thai and many more styles all of which have helped to make me the martial artist that I am today and aspire to be in the future.
I stopped training on a daily basis a few years ago for a number of complex reasons (excuses). I catch myself pining for it all the time, however. It is my strong desire to return to training as an "empty cup" and re-learn everything I thought I knew. In the mean time I'll revel in the glory of what I used to be.
You're only a martial artist while you train. After you stop you simply were one.
