shotokan karate

I am learning Shotokan, which is a style of karate. I am learning about discipline, body development and self-defense.

Here I am with Sensei Laura, my teacher. I am her sempai, which means senior student. I'm a senior student because I have been taking karate with Sensei Laura since I was three years old.

When we do our stretches, we count in Japanese. I can count to 10 in Japanese: ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, shichi, nachi, kyuu and juu.

We practice kicks....

and punches....

and some self-defense moves so we can protect ourselves and our brains inside our heads.

At the beginning and end of each class, we greet each other with a bow and we say osu. It's a salutation between people who study martial arts. I'm also learning about showing respect.