Intro

Let me introduce myself and share how I started this journey of becoming a karateka.

My name is Auston, and I am the senior student here at Generations Karate. I have always loved martial arts. Who didn't grow up watching the Ninja Turtles, Batman, and other superheroes? As a kid, I was never able to take classes, but I always appreciated the lessons and values that martial arts can teach.

A few years ago, my son was five years old, and I wanted to find something that would help him build confidence, self-control, and body awareness. While talking with Jonathan, he mentioned that he was a black belt in karate and joked that if I needed help convincing my wife, he'd be happy to help! I casually started looking into classes when Jonathan approached me and said he was going to start teaching his own son. He was inviting a couple of other kids to join as well.

At the first class, my son sat on the side with his mom and watched the entire time. We talked afterward and decided to give it one more chance, but if he did the same thing again, we wouldn't push the issue. I took him to the second class, and he was all in. As a family, we decided that I would be the one to take him from then on.

After taking him to class for about a month and talking with Jonathan about how I had always wanted to learn, he mentioned that it would be nice to have someone closer to his size to demonstrate techniques with. I decided to go for it, and it has been one of the most fun and rewarding things I have ever done.

I remember being brand new and how awkward everything felt as I tried to get my body to move in ways it never had before. Now, as I get closer to earning my black belt, I realize just how much there is still to learn. Earning a black belt isn't the end goal—it's the beginning of refining everything you've learned.

I hope all of the kids have enjoyed coming to class as much as I have, and I look forward to continuing to pass on the knowledge that has been shared with me.