Haxby Shotokan Karate Club

Happy Birthday Brenda!

We managed to surprise Brenda at training last night with a cake and an enthusiastic (if not tuneful!) rendition of 'Happy Birthday to you' to celebrate her 60th Birthday. As well as being the Club Welfare Officer Brenda  is the one who has always made sure that everyone is OK and feels welcome at the club. For those of you who don't know her, below is her story from the first edition of the new club magazine!

I had wanted to learn karate for a long time, I was the mum who ferried her daughters to karate class but never quite plucked up the courage to join in. I have been practising Tai Chi for about seven years and wondered if the flowing moves of Tai Chi and karate would complement each other.

Then two and half years ago I passed Wigginton Recreation Hall and saw Haxby Karate Club training. I had a bit of an argument with myself but finally thought what have I got to lose, went in and asked “Would you consider teaching me Karate”  The man I now know as Sensei Mike smiled and said “ If you want to learn we will teach you”.

And that’s exactly what’s happened. The help and encouragement everyone receives really enables members of all ages and abilities to enjoy and progress. I have achieved my 5^th Kyu (purple and white belt) further than I ever imagined, and am keen to progress further. I am a bit older (well quite a lot older actually) but I believe that with determination and training I can go further.

The concentration I have learnt from Tai Chi has helped me in my Karate. I have had bruises, of which oddly enough I am quite proud, a few even made Facebook, I ache, but in a good way, I achieve the simplest move which has eluded me for weeks and I am elated.  A well done from any of my instructors and I feel like I have won a gold medal.

Thank you Haxby Karate Club for continuing to support me in my Karate journey.

visit www.haxbykarate.co.uk to receive a free training session. For more information email info@haxbykarate.co.uk