I have been doing karate for 17 months. I go to a small club, but the instructor and the higher grades are all very dedicated, so it is the club for me. My Sensei is a 6th Dan, and there are a 3rd Dan, a 2nd Dan and several 1st Dan black belts. The majority of people in the club are brown belt and above! After doing the beginners class (white belts only) all the grades train together, which is a good thing in some ways as it gives you an opportunity to try many things. Sometimes I find it too hard when you are doing black belt techniques, but the instructor does not expect us to get it right.

I did my third grading last Friday. It was very nerve-wracking, but it must have been even worse for the white belts who were grading for the first time. I was the only red belt who was grading to yellow so I went on my own. I passed all the sections. The instructor and highest graded members of the club actually test us on our gradings. Sensei complemented me on the strength and kime of my kicking, blocking and punching. However he said that my movement was stiff and not fluid enough. It wasn't bad enough to fail but it is something I need to work on. I need to be light on my feet between each technique. I also forgot the kiai on my kata, due to nerves and concentration on the technique.

I went on a course at Wakefield on Sunday this week. My own Sensei was taking the first part, and another Sensei called Dave from Leicester took the second part. I was very worried about having another teacher for the first time. However, he was brilliant, he expected 100% effort from us, but he did not expect 100% success. It turned out to be a good experience learning from someone else.