I may receive a commission if you purchase something mentioned in this post. See more details here.
Photo Credit: Greg L. photos via Compfight cc
I’m going to be honest. I am not athletic. I did soccer most summers and gymnastics during the school year until I was 12. I quit because I was really not good. I stopped enjoying them and I was embarrassed by how behind I was. But my mom wanted me to still do something active. So, shortly after my 13th birthday, my mom and I started taking Tae-Kwon-Do together.
My brother was also at this school, but in a different class. As a result, we spent a lot of time in the karate studio until, 4 years later, my mom and I got our black belts and were finally in the same class as my brother. We got to know the instructor and the people in our classes very well. Both my mom and I developed close friendships with those near our age, for the adult classes held people of all ages from 13 and up. On Saturdays we took a kickboxing class with all belt ranks, which allowed me to make friends with black belts even when I was still a lower rank.
It was hard. I’m not kidding when I say I’m not athletic. There were days in those kickboxing classes when I had to sit against a wall with my head between my knees because my lips had turned gray. I was never able to hold a kick above waist level.
But karate gave me so much confidence and kept me in as good of shape as I needed to be. I made friends that, 3 years after I left for college, I enjoy hugging and catching up with when I return. You see, while karate is an individual sport, it is a strong community that builds lasting relationships. Everyone roots for and supports each other. Every child and teenager should be in a sport that offers that kind of environment.
Even more, though, is that I built a friendship with my mom. I have no memory of the fights she says we had all the time when I was 12. However, I remember never being an angsty teenager that hated her mom. I respected her. And if one of us was ever upset with the other, we just went to karate class and partnered with each other for pad strikes. And then we would laugh at ourselves and each other for falling over during a spin kick. To this day we maintain a close bond over karate and life.
It’s not every mother and 17-year-old daughter who go get their first tattoos together on the day they both receive their black belts.
I chose not to spar and I did not take competing very seriously. Karate was fun and social for me. It remains the only form of exercise that I enjoy, and that is even before all of relationships I built. But karate is so much more than just a sport. It teaches respect and discipline. It teaches a child to be confident in themselves. It teaches good sportsmanship. Most importantly, it gives a mother and daughter the opportunity for happy and peaceful teenage years (I was going to say angst-free, but let’s be honest. I had angst, it just wasn’t directed at my mom).
Every child and teenager, but most importantly every pre-teen and teenage girl deserves the opportunity to feel this way about themselves. To not be pressured to look a certain way or be a certain person. It takes a special place to teach respect, confidence, and discipline, while still encouraging lasting friendships and fun. Karate has been the one place that I have found that, and I would recommend it to anyone.
Like what you see? Please support this blog and help me keep it running by signing up for my newsletter, purchasing products, or donating through the links below:
DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. The information contained in this post is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, it is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. For more information, click here.
Comments
Trackbacks
-
[…] learned why sustainability is so important, why everyone should do karate and got some Dorm eating: quick easy meals tips from How We […]
-
[…] Starting when I was 13, my mom and I joined karate together. She says we used to fight all the time before that. I don’t remember that, but I do know that once we started karate, we could legally and safely hit each other. I’ve written before about how I think all girls should take karate. […]
-
[…] of fun. I am incredibly happy to have found this activity; the first since I had to stop going to karate that I have truly enjoyed. Here’s a nice shot of me climbing. Moms, look […]
-
[…] Fitness, which starts you at the right level for you. If you like sports like rock climbing, karate, or anything else, do those. Or if you just like to do yoga and walk, that is fine, […]
-
[…] had residue from my old, store bought deodorant. I was then able to test on hot summer days, during karate, and the ultimate test: a day at the state […]
Karate is a great way to bond and benefits you physically and mentally. What a great experience to cherish.
I completely agree! I took karate for four years in Elementary and Middle School as well and it was such a gift! Thanks for the reminder 🙂
Thanks! I’m glad you had the experience!
My husband and 3 children all take karate. It has been especially good for my oldest daughter (age 9) who can be quite shy and lacking confidence. She really flips a switch when she walks into class! I might join them at some point. Right now I’m just not sure I can commit to it, since I have so much going on with farm life, blogging, etc… I keep saying, I wish they just offered a fitness class without me needing to test and move up every few months!
Thanks for sharing! I understand the time commitment. You could look to see if your kids’ school offers kickboxing classes. A lot of parents at my school star with those – it’s just a work out once or twice a week with no rank advancement.
They don’t, but I’m thinking of suggesting it!
Love this! I do taekwondo with my children. My 11 yo beat me and got his black belt this last summer. My 13 yo and I should be getting our black belts within the next few months. It’s been the best bonding experience for us.
Congrats! I’m glad it has been such a great experience for you!
I am a mother who takes karate with my husband and two daughters. I was never allowed to do sports as a child and I have surprised myself because at 36, I enjoy it soooooooo much!!! Great idea for women of any age to gain more confidence and to get fit!
You hit the nail on the head. I started training many years ago (in Tang Soo Do) and eventually reached 2nd Dan. Unfortunately, I could never get my daughter interested in training, however, her son has just started training (under the watchful eye of my instructor’s son). Although it has been many years since I trained I consider my fellow students and instructors family, and whenever I run into them we pick right up as if we’d just seen each other last week instead of ten years ago. Hopefully your blog will convince many more women that there is far more to Martial Arts than punching and kicking.
Thank you! And thanks for sharing your experience.
Completely agree! I got my black belt at age 30 and it completely changed my life. It’s not fighting, it’s a mindset.
That’s a great way to put it!
I am in karate right now and let me tell you that it is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I will become a black belt next weekend on the 28 of March. Everyone that I know, knows that I am in love with karate and they have all seen me practice and they are a true inspiration to me but my family at karate are definitely much more of an inspiration to me. I LOVE karate and everything about it.
Congratulations on your black belt! That is wonderful! Thank you for sharing your story.
Just one thing, Tae-kwon-do and karate ARE NOT the same thing! I’m current European champion for my age in karate and I get SO annoyed when people assume all martial arts are the same.