2008 Woodie Awards
Stamina, focus, respect in martial arts
Our sports editor sits in on a karate class
Gina Murray
Date created: 3/14/05 Section: SPORTS
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Karate is a disciplined sport full of respect, mental health and techniques that flow like an art form.
There are two Shotokan karate classes offered at Skyline, one for beginners and one for intermediate and advanced students. This semester, combat 404 and combat 405, the beginning and advanced classes, are combined as one class offered on Mondays and Wednesdays.
In an effort to experience a sport that doesn't get as much recognition as others, I decided to sit in on a Shotokan karate class.
Eric Larson, a college counselor and fourth degree black belt, is the instructor for this class. When he walked into the room that Wednesday, he quietly went to the front and didn't have to say much to the disciplined group.
The class lined up in rows, knowing where to stand and quietly one by one signed the roll sheet. All I could think was "Wow, Eric Larson should teach all the instructors his trick to keeping such a well-disciplined class."
The students all faced front, some wearing a karate uniform, or gi, with a belt of their rank, others just wearing exercise clothes. Larson began the class, informing the students they would do a review of the exercises and techniques they learned last class and then learn the next two moves of their technique.
Everyone began to stretch and do breathing exercises. Larson called out moves, instructing the students to inhale and exhale and when to stretch.
Many of the students had their eyes closed, with a peaceful look on their face, looking really in tune with their body.
"You will find it to be a very balancing, very centering exercise," Larson said to his class about a stretching move.
He then showed the students the next two moves to the technique they had been learning. The moves included a slow punch and a heel bounce.
"This is my favorite move," Larson said. "It's Chinese for 'shaking the body to heal all ills.'" Larson then began to show the move, which included shaking slowly from side to side.
There are two Shotokan karate classes offered at Skyline, one for beginners and one for intermediate and advanced students. This semester, combat 404 and combat 405, the beginning and advanced classes, are combined as one class offered on Mondays and Wednesdays.
In an effort to experience a sport that doesn't get as much recognition as others, I decided to sit in on a Shotokan karate class.
Eric Larson, a college counselor and fourth degree black belt, is the instructor for this class. When he walked into the room that Wednesday, he quietly went to the front and didn't have to say much to the disciplined group.
The class lined up in rows, knowing where to stand and quietly one by one signed the roll sheet. All I could think was "Wow, Eric Larson should teach all the instructors his trick to keeping such a well-disciplined class."
The students all faced front, some wearing a karate uniform, or gi, with a belt of their rank, others just wearing exercise clothes. Larson began the class, informing the students they would do a review of the exercises and techniques they learned last class and then learn the next two moves of their technique.
Everyone began to stretch and do breathing exercises. Larson called out moves, instructing the students to inhale and exhale and when to stretch.
Many of the students had their eyes closed, with a peaceful look on their face, looking really in tune with their body.
"You will find it to be a very balancing, very centering exercise," Larson said to his class about a stretching move.
He then showed the students the next two moves to the technique they had been learning. The moves included a slow punch and a heel bounce.
"This is my favorite move," Larson said. "It's Chinese for 'shaking the body to heal all ills.'" Larson then began to show the move, which included shaking slowly from side to side.
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