Shari Rodgers
The Quail Creek karate group is strong! As the year came to a close, there is so much the karate group is thankful for, and so much was accomplished by our members! A big thank you to the Anza gym for their support of karate and its members.
The Beginning Karate, or Movement, class is now underway. The formal Karate class spent most the year learning new skills and preparing for testing in December for rank and competency.
Beginning Karate/Movement
Our karate program has been expanded with a new class termed Beginning Karate. It is both a standalone, ongoing program or a bridge to more of the traditional practice. They complement each other and share talents.
This beginner’s program is not traditional karate instruction in the Japanese institutional sense. It is an educational movement system for older adults, grounded in martial principles, neuroscience, biomechanics, mindful awareness, and safety. Our goal is functional movement and prolonging one’s years of enjoyable activity. It is restorative for recovering or aspiring athletes. It’s engaging and fun, with individual and group movement.
Movement involves a group spirit of mutual support and collaboration. We train in the general patterns of karate but are focused on learning the body’s natural movements. It is not dependent on memorizing complex sequences, which makes it helpful for those who cannot attend every session. You can always return and fit in.
Karate Class: This past year we have worked hard while training with a focus on mind, body, and spirit. The karate style offered is Asai/Shotokan under Sensei Stan Herum who holds a 4th degree Black Belt in this style. Students range in age from mid-60s to 82 years young.
Our karate is based on the Funakoshi/Nakayama JKA (Japan Karate Association) style, with the extension of Asai-ryu karate. Asai-ryu combines the long-distance fighting methods of Shotokan with the short-distance fighting methods of White Crane Kung Fu. Asai has dojos in more than 200 locations around the world.
There are nine kyu ranks in Asai. Beginners start with the 9th kyu. Following these ranks, the dan ranks (known as black belt ranks) begin. Belt color identifies the rank. Kata, kumite, and kihon make up the examination requirements.
Promotion tests were underway in December, and results will be forthcoming in the next newspaper as testing is completed. Members who tested are Rocko Colicchia testing 3rd Kyu Brown, Larry Rowen testing 2nd Kyu Brown, Linda Bleisch testing Shodan Black Belt, Tom Webber testing Purple Kyu, and Ken Kelly testing 1st Kyu Brown.
For 2026 we are looking forward to attending several seminars locally and may even attend one in Houston, Texas.
Regular movement is your best defense against frailty and is needed to maintain muscle strength and balance. The goal is to move more today than yesterday.
Interested in learning more or joining our group? Please stop by the Anza gym and watch or join in! Karate is a great way to start the new year!