Redding Shotokan Karate

I think everyone should teach a kid's class.

I know that's a pretty generalized statement. Regardless, it is a great experience. The challenge, of course, is to keep their attention and keep them interested. The great thing is that children make no secrets about their interest level. They will stretch your mental abilities in unexpected directions.

Last night's class was relatively small, some newer students, some returning from last summer. Basics went well, though I found that breaking it up between practicing in a circle and travelling across the room became necessary to change the pace just (barely) enough to get through. I practiced along side of them which gave me a little extra practice. Then we had to find some fun stuff to do.

We moved onto the bags and then they each got to block and attack against me (I used the "blockers"). I think they enjoyed attacking against me the most (go figure!) - it was good for me too, they were really keeping me on my toes! We finished up with a little "sumo". The kids had to "earn" their way into the ring by remembering a Japanese word.

By the end of class, even the brand new students could count to 5 in Japanese and they all wanted to know the numbers to 10. Cool.

I can only wonder with great anticipation what next Thursday will bring.