Self-defense demo for my red belt test in karate

I look a little scary in this photo …

This image is from my red belt test which was held in September 2008. One of the ways I keep active is through martial arts practice. I’ve been practicing karate for over 3 years, and I find it tremendously rewarding.

In addition to giving me an exceptionally valuable skill set for keeping myself safe in all circumstances, this practice helps keep my core strong and my activity balance in alignment. In fact, when I’ve been cranking away at my computer for too many hours, it always opens me up to spend a couple of hours in class. The physical demands of strength, focus and balance do more for my mental and emotional clarity than anything else I’ve ever tried.

My creative flow is always stimulated by time I spend in class. Plus, being an assistant instructor within the program, I have the honor of helping many of the younger students master technique and form in preparation for their own belt testing. As you have probably heard before, teaching is one of the best ways to learn. By teaching karate, I myself become a better student, a more grounded individual and a much more creative artist.