I’d only really played team sports before I
decided, with a certain degree of trepidation, to begin training in
Goju-Ryu karate with Sensei Andy at Hallam dojo. Would I really enjoy
it? Would I get the same buzz in what I saw as an individual sport that I
had kicking or hitting a ball around a pitch with 10 other like-minded
team mates? Would there be the same team spirit I enjoyed so much in
team sports?
So I decided to give karate a go and haven’t
looked back. Obviously as a beginner starting a new sport anywhere is
pretty tough but the welcome, support and encouragement a newcomer gets
at Hallam dojo puts you at ease straight away. As the weeks progressed I
became increasingly addicted to the sport and began to relish in the
team spirit I doubted I would find. Karate offers a sense of camaraderie
and togetherness through cheering others on to complete their 100 th
sit-up, a sense of collective achievement as you count the final 10 star
jumps for the grading black belt candidate and a satisfaction in
knowing that you’ve played your part in everyone’s achievements.
Although at Hallam dojo our karate is taken very seriously, the mickey
taking and banter that even rise above the grunts and groans of the 50th
press-up gets you through…even if I seem to have endured more than my
fair share during this football season!
So if you’re thinking about changing sport
and fancy an individual sport, maybe you should join the ‘karate team’ -
I did and it’s one of the most fun, rewarding moves I’ve ever made!
