Art of karate teaches self-defense at the rec center
Learning how to defend yourself from a physical attack is never a bad idea, and the North Fort Myers Recreation Center has made it easy to learn the art of karate for people of all ages.
The center offers youth and adult karate classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for $59 for an eight-class session. Students get in shape, learn the basics of self defense and eventually move up in skill to earn different colored belts.
Jose Walter-Garcia, sensei for the classes and a fourth-degree black belt, has taught karate for 28 years. He said teaching is a challenge, especially the youngest students, as they are all different.
“The idea is not to teach how to fight but how to defend themselves. The instructor has to get into a kid’s mind and become a father, a friend, a teacher and a psychologist to break the wall between me and the student,” Walter-Garcia said.
Karate is more than just self defense. It instills many life skills students can use in their own lives and not just in class.
“It teaches kids to focus, it teaches coordination, balance and discipline. I teach them the same things their parents and teacher do,” Walter-Garcia said. “They have to follow rules, and kids these days don’t want to follow rules.”
The sensei first sees the youngest students, who come in as young as 5 years old and who are everywhere from beginner (white belt) to fairly advanced (green belt).
One student, Kristen Bradley, 7, got an early start by sparring with Jose Feliciano, a green belt who at 71 is the oldest student.
At this age, the kids obviously don’t quite have the coordination to do the things the older students can. Sensei started the kids out with some running and stretching before giving them their lesson in the 45-minute class.
Everyone was preparing for a test this week in an attempt to earn a new belt, which is given every three to four months. Should a student decide to pursue a black belt, Walter-Garcia said it takes about four years of consistent training.
Perhaps the thing Walter-Garcia stressed the most is focus and listening, which for the youngest students can be a challenge. Whenever he called upon a student, they needed to respond verbally, which helps concentration and discipline.
Walter-Garcia said it all depends on their maturity level.
“You can have a kid who is 4 and mature, but you can also have a 6-year-old who isn’t mature and not ready yet,” Walter-Garcia said, whose three sons also take the class.
The end of the class is devoted to sparring in full protective gear where the kids get to put everything they learned into use.
Older students, who ranged from teenaged to senior citizen, occurred immediately following the children’s lesson. This was more advanced, with sensei having students who were more focused and physically advanced.
Chase Smith, 7, said he thought karate was cool and decided to do it.
“I just wanted to be in it. I’m learning discipline, respect and karate. I love sparring. I don’t know why. I just like it,” Smith said.
“I thought it would be good physical activity for him, to learn discipline and control,” said Brandy Carvalho, Chase’s mom. “It’s been wonderful. He’s made friends, learned new skills and socialization, it’s been good.”
Students must have a membership at the recreation center to enroll. For more, call the recreation center at 533-7200.