#selfdevelopment is always good for the soul. In January 2010, I decided that I wanted to learn how to “do” karate. I was then 36 years old, hadn’t exercised in years, had 2 teenagers, was in the throes of divorce and unsure what I wanted to “be” in life other than work with people around their health. So I enrolled my 13 year old son in a class instead. 😆😆. I sat & watched his first 2 lessons, secretly taking in everything that Sensei taught him harbouring a secret wish to join in. After that second lesson, I spoke up, Sensei encouraged me to try & suddenly, I was on the mat in a Gi (karate suit), madly trying to keep up with everything. And I was having the time of my life. Karate is such a challenging sport. Everything tends to think it’s about bashing people and karate chopping various limbs or blocks of wood and I have lost count of the amount of times I have answered questions around that subject. For me, karate is the ultimate sport of control, humility, integrity and respect. It is about inner strength, getting back up when you are floored, checking your ego and readjusting as it gets knocked more than the physical body ever does and training hard. It is never ending challenges and the only person you beat, is the person you were at your last training session.