If someone had told me long ago that some day at age 49 I would become a Cho Dan Bo (black   belt candidate) let alone be enrolled in any martial arts classes, I would have vehemently declared that I would be the last person in the world who would ever want or choose to do karate.

But that is exactly where I am in this moment in place and time….two years into a karate program at the Hockessin Korean Martial Arts Institute with one year to go before earning a possible black belt. The amazing story though, is how I got here and what has happened to me along the way.

I was a karate parent; you know, a parent that sits two to four times per week and watches their child(ren) do classes. I watched my son Bryan grow and progress in the program and he earned a black belt at age 16. His growth and confidence and physical abilities were remarkable. My daughter Laura had begun her lessons in the fall of 2003. I was working in a local public school system at the time coordinating special education programs in a city school. To say the least, working with 240 special needs kids and their parents and teachers was very stressful. I didn't want to add one more thing to my plate. To top it all off, I had had a work-related incident in 2001 that hurt my lower back, and a car accident two months later that compressed 3 discs in my neck. Dr. Briggs did a lot to help me, but I still experienced a lot of pain despite interventions. I discovered that yoga stretches helped me quite a bit, and participated in a class until it was not offered any more. Around that time, Master Kloss at KMAI kept offering me a chance to join the "Executive Class", a low impact, non-sparring class targeting people 30-70 years old or those who needed low impact for one reason or another. My journey started with a hesitant "yes", and the next thing I knew I was meeting several other parents. (Christine Held became my cohort and good friend, and it has been amazing to see her progress as well). We began working with Mr. E. (who now is known as Master Watters). Mr. E. worked with us in small groups of between 2-4 people and got to know us very well. I trusted him, and listened to what he was telling me to do with my body. I was pushed beyond what I thought my limits were. I could have given up at first, but he talked us through, day by day, week by week. He was patient beyond belief sometimes with the others and me, demonstrating, explaining, breaking everything down into small steps. Christine and I would get together on her lawn on weekends and practice one-steps and forms. The regular classes and testing schedule kept me on my toes and disciplined me so I couldn't skip classes like people tend to do at fitness centers or in other exercise programs. I could feel myself getting stronger (I can do 20+sit-ups now, where before I could not do one). I had less headaches and neck pain. I was happier (I quit my job and took an early pension, and am now doing two fun jobs rather than one killer job).

Some other unexpected benefits have occurred since beginning karate. Our whole household has gone through a simplifying process: less clutter, better food, more energy efficient. Personally, I feel like I am turning back the clock physically: I can do things I could not do at at 20. I have grown back the one half an inch I had lost in height (my husband measures the kids every month and we compared my current height to two years ago). Within 6 months of beginning karate, I had gone down several clothing sizes. Recently, I asked Master Kloss to switch me over to the regular karate program from the Executive Class. I never thought I would get this far.

What I want to express most sincerely is this: the staff at KMAI truly helped me make a difference in the quality of my life. I saw results within several months of starting at the karate school. I have told other adults about the executive program, but people always have excuses why they cannot try it: they are too old, they have no time, they have a bad back, they have no one to watch their kids. I had every one of those excuses, but it started with a hesitant "yes". Once I started, I had more energy and felt really good. I was able to actually do more! Making a commitment to oneself is the first step; your actions come soon afterward.