Member Profiles
Our members are here to improve themselves. They have seen the benefits that Seido Karate has to offer. Why not join them?
Learn what inspired our members to take up karate, what they enjoy about the club and what they get back in return.
My kids and I became interested in karate after seeing my brother-in-law and his kids do a class together. I researched different clubs, and after watching a Seido kids’ class, I felt the club would be a great fit for us all.
My daughter, Shani (9), and son, Rico (7), enjoy it because it’s fun, and everyone is kind and caring. We all benefit from the challenge of learning new things, being able to test ourselves at gradings, and the reward of achieving a belt.
For me, it’s a great mental and physical challenge. It’s been refreshing to pick up a new sport, and great to share the experience with my kids (which has been great for their self-confidence). Seido Karate is teaching us all to be patient and more comfortable to learn new things gradually, in and outside of the dojo.
The style of teaching by the instructors is very supportive for members of all ages and levels. There is a family-friendly and supportive atmosphere and culture for everyone. As there are classes every day, this allows us to fit in a mix of classes – kids, adults and family – throughout the week.
I love that the dojo is such a welcoming environment. The first class I ever attended, everyone made the effort to come up and say hello, introduce themselves, and offer advice.
There is always something new to learn, and everyone has a different perspective. I especially love the practical classes, like the groundwork class, and learning the self defences. Karate is challenging – there is always something more you can perfect.
Karate has given me the confidence to go about my life and know that if something was to happen, I’ve learned some really practical skills that can help in a self defence situation. I am always trying to show my flatmates and friends things that I think are really useful as well.
I really feel like everyone is welcome here, it doesn’t feel like a super macho or judgemental place. Everyone is just doing their best to improve themselves and their karate – you never feel compared to others.
What I most enjoy about Seido karate is how it helps you to achieve balance in all aspects of your life – both physically or mentally. Karate incorporates highly technical and practical fighting skills in a safe and controlled manner, while also containing an equally strong mental aspect that is required to be successful.
Karate has impacted me as an individual. The practical aspects have helped my confidence and awareness of potential surrounding threats. A vital skill to have from a young age.
More recently however, karate has revealed to me the importance of personal qualities as self-discipline, respect, and sincerity – the founding morals of karate, and skills that translate directly to life outside the dojo. Through karate, one learns to be accepting and respectful – influences that are invaluable to any individual for a healthy and positive life.
Karate, like most aspects of life, will not deliver instant results. Commitment, discipline, and patience are not only skills useful to karate, but other parts of life too, and it is through these personal qualities that we excel the most.
When I was about 16, my brother and I wanted to start karate. I didn’t know anything before I started – it was all TV shows, movies, all that general stuff that you see. I’m sure I watched The Karate Kid, but that was it.
After training for a few years, I had a break while I went to university. However, I found my way back after starting a family, believing it would be a great thing for my kids, as I had great memories of my time there. As a young 20-something, I didn’t fully appreciate the impact it had on my life, and its potential to affect me in positive ways. When I returned with my own whānau, it was like returning home.
I love that it is an activity I can do with my boys, while still challenging myself. You’re on the floor together and that’s super cool.
I consider it more a way of life than a sport. It’s about bringing your whole self to karate, and bringing karate to your whole self. If I’m feeling stressed, I might do a mokuso (meditation) kata, or sometimes at work I just drop down and do ten press-ups. It breaks up the day a bit. It’s about always thinking in that karate way.
