Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate

Fun affordable martial arts for kids

  • Home
  • About
    • Our Karate Success Stories
  • Why Karate?
  • Why Us?
  • Locations
  • Galleries
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Blog

COVIDSAFE SCHOOL

Copyright © 2009 to 2020 Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate

Home » Blog » Kids Karate Sensei Becomes White Belt Again

Kids Karate Sensei Becomes White Belt Again

May 8, 2010 By Sensei Matt Klein

0 Flares Twitter 0 Facebook 0 Google+ 0 Pin It Share 0 StumbleUpon 0 LinkedIn 0 Filament.io 0 Flares ×

Welcome to the first post in my new blog. Since this is about beginnings, I thought I’d write about what it’s like to be a white belt again. Yes. Me. I am a white belt again—in building websites. The site at which you are now looking was built by yours truly. What does this have to do with kids karate you ask? As it turns out, a lot.

Sensei Matt Klein with white belt

Sensei Matt became a white belt again--in building websites.

A good webmaster could build this site in a few weeks. Me—it took over a year. Why? I now remember the frustrations of being a white belt again. I had to call the web hosting company countless times to have them walk me through something I did not understand. I cringed at their impatience, as I just couldn’t get it. Well, not all of them were impatient—most were quite good. When I called the help line it was potluck. Dozens of times I had to go to the website forums to get answers to questions I didn’t even know how to ask. I waited for replies that sometimes never came. I searched google to ask “Why is my website showing as a blank white page,” or “Why has my website crashed?”

And the language. There was HTML, CSS, Photoshop, W3 Validation, FTP, etc., etc. It might as well have been hieroglyphics. How do you get problems solved when you don’t know the language? Well, I had to learn. There were online tutorials, books, forums, and conversations with experts. It is amazing how many people want to help if you just ask for their advice. I now have great respect for people in this field; they must know so many things.

There were so many times I was tempted to throw in the towel. Hire someone to do it for me. But, like any white belt, I enjoy a challenge. Each time I encountered a problem, I found a way to solve it. It might have taken me a day, or even a week, I didn’t care. There was always a solution. Each time I found a solution my confidence grew. And guess what? I learned a lot.

When I walk through the class as we are practising a kata, I see the looks on the children’s faces. Utter frustration, the “I will never get this” look. I can now better relate to their feelings. I can now see what kind of Sensei they need. They need someone like that kind patient person on the web hosting help line that got me through a tough, frustrating time without making me feel like a complete idiot.

Let’s face it. In the website development world I am a nobody—a big zero. But I’m learning, and part of the joy of learning is exploring the unknown, overcoming the fear of failure, and reveling in our new knowledge. Learning new things is what keeps us young at heart. I will probably never be a black belt in building websites, but I am still learning and I will not give up.

What did I learn from all of this? I learned that everyone should become a white belt again just to feel what it’s like to be someone just starting out on their journey. More than anything, this experience has taught me about patience; with myself, as well as with others. And white belts; never be afraid to ask for help.

Kids Karate Sensei Becomes White Belt Again is an original article from Sensei Matt Klein. For more information check our kids karate classes in Sydney.

0 Flares Twitter 0 Facebook 0 Google+ 0 Pin It Share 0 StumbleUpon 0 LinkedIn 0 Filament.io 0 Flares ×

Filed Under: For the Martial Arts Instructor, Teaching Martial Arts to Kids

Comments

  1. John W. Zimmer says

    May 14, 2010 at 3:47 pm

    Hi Matt,

    What a great wordpress website! I like how you drew a parallel to learning karate as it is so true in anything.

    In my day job I am a windows system administrator. Many times I’ll end up taking on a new project and have to tough it through until I understand what the heck I am doing and come up with a solution.

    You have (again) shown you have what it takes to succeed (in anything) as this site is very well put together as far as I can tell. It goes well with your school motif/theme.

    By the way I added your blog to my interesting blogs side bar so as you publish new posts, it will sort in the list.

    Take care Matt,

    John

  2. admin says

    May 14, 2010 at 4:15 pm

    Thanks for your comments and vote of confidence, John. I have to admit I drew some inspiration from your excellent blog. This process of building a website has proved enlightening.

  3. Rachel Meath says

    May 14, 2010 at 9:33 pm

    Within You Is The Strength
    To Meet Life’s Challenges!

    You are stronger than you think,
    remember to stand tall.

    Every challenge in your life
    helps you to grow.

    Every problem you encounter
    strengthens your mind and your soul.

    Every trouble you overcome
    increases your understanding of life.

    When all your troubles weigh
    heavily on your shoulders,
    remember that beneath the burden
    you can stand tall,
    because you are never given
    more than you can handle…
    and you are stronger than you think.
    —————————————-
    Awesome website….you did a great job!!!

  4. admin says

    May 14, 2010 at 11:00 pm

    Well said Rachel. Thank you.

  5. Sinem says

    May 14, 2010 at 11:04 pm

    Matt you are an all rounder artist 🙂
    Great job Sensei 🙂

  6. admin says

    May 15, 2010 at 12:06 am

    Thanks Sinem, in the days of the Samurai, a warrior was expected to fight battles, write poetry, draw beautiful calligraphy, and serve tea properly–all in a day! I strive to be half as good.

  7. Shandor Lim says

    May 16, 2010 at 5:44 pm

    The Kenpo Creed

    I Come To You With Only Karate,
    My Empty Hands,
    I Have No Weapons,
    But Should I Be Forced To Defend Myself My Principles,
    Or My Honour,
    Should It Be A Matter of Life Or Death,
    Or Right Or Wrong,
    Then These Are My Weapons,
    Karate,
    My Empty Hands.

    Awesome Job! Sensei

  8. Zoltan Levitt says

    May 16, 2010 at 10:53 pm

    When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it – this is knowledge. – Confucius

    I think you have done a great Job Matt, its not easy learning a new skill or starting again, I am very proud that these are the values we empart on our students. Congratulations once again!
    Zoltan

  9. admin says

    May 16, 2010 at 11:08 pm

    Thanks Shandor and Zoltan. Sometimes when you think you are at the end of a journey you say “is that’s all there is”? I am learning that the journey is never done. There will always be more to learn. My cup is but half full.

  10. Shandor Lim says

    May 17, 2010 at 4:33 pm

    “Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.

  11. Mark Barrass says

    May 20, 2010 at 9:14 pm

    well done great job on the web site and also on the great work you do with the kids.I am so proud of how Hayley has grown in all different ways,Many thanks
    Mark

  12. Sensei Matt Klein says

    May 22, 2010 at 12:48 am

    Thanks for your vote of confidence on both accounts. Of course I can’t take all the credit for Hayley’s progress. She is a very good martial artist.

  13. Peter Williams says

    May 29, 2010 at 1:23 pm

    Matt, you redefine renaissance man and give us all something to strive for, thanks for your efforts and perserverence

    Peter

  14. Sensei Matt Klein says

    May 30, 2010 at 12:17 am

    Thanks Peter, I don’t know about the renaissance man thing, especially as I stumbled and bumbled my way through this project, but yes, I’ll give you the perseverance–it is one of my strongest traits.

  15. Ivana says

    June 24, 2010 at 10:12 am

    I love this article Matt. It has really touched me and inspired me to keep going and learning. Thank you.

  16. Sensei Matt Klein says

    June 24, 2010 at 11:11 pm

    Thanks Ivana, glad I was able to be an inspiration not just to the kids, but also to us adults.

  17. Gianni Lazzaro says

    July 2, 2010 at 10:49 am

    Great job with the website Matt! Ive only browsed it a few times but every time I do u still some how manage to keep teaching me something. The articles that put up continually stay one step ahead, reflects your level as a teacher/instructor as u always stay one step ahead of us in karate as well even though some of us keep catching up……i hope i can apply this same level of enthusiasm in my martial arts and my career as a teacher engaging my students to unleash their full potential.

New Term Starts 16th October

September 24, 2020
Hey Kenpo Freestylers! The first week of classes for next term starts Friday, 16th October, through Thursday, 22nd October. The last week of term will end on Thursday, 17th December. It is a nine week term. Please mark your calendars! Times and dates are also posted on our website at http://www.karate-kids.com.au/locations/.

We are a COVID safe business!

July 24, 2020
All of our head instructors and a good many of our assistants have completed the MAIA course for qualification as a COVID safe business. Please be assured that we take your child’s health and safety as our highest priority. Our classes will be run safely in a clean environment. Please talk to your head instructor […]

Regular Classes Starting Soon!

July 18, 2020
Our regular classes are starting this Friday, the 24th of July through Thursday week the 30th of July. It will be a nine-week term and will continue through Thursday, 24th September. Please see our Locations page for times and dates. Welcome back returning students and we look forward to meeting all new students. Sensei Matt

Great Deals Online Kids Karate!

May 11, 2020
Great Deals Online Kids Karate! Welcome back Kenpo Freestylers! We now have pre pay options available on iKarate for our loyal students and families – with something extra… Our way of saying thank you We have been so touched by the overwhelming support for you all for our beloved Karate Club. The emails & facebook […]

Online Kids Martial Arts Starting New Term

May 3, 2020
We are pleased to announce that a new term of online kids martial arts classes is starting this week. We had an excellent turnout at the end of last term and through the school holidays and hundreds of our students were able to successfully grade to keep progressing on their martial arts journey. This has […]

More News

Testimonials

Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
Mihir Joshi

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Mihir's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
Mihir Joshi

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Mihir's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
Friendly yet disciplined approach towards karate at Australia’s Youth has helped enormously. It enabled Mihir to build a sense of belonging and improved his motivation to excel. It’s amazing how learning the Martial Arts helps build confidence and improve overall personality.
Yogendra Joshi, father of Mihir JoshiImage
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
I like Karate because it is really fun and I love going on the weekend to see all my friends and Senseis. Karate makes me feel safe because I don’t worry about bullies at school because I know they can’t really hurt me.Tyvian-Macfarlne-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
Tyvian Macfarlane

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Tyvian's story.
09/08/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
The confidence karate has given Tyvian is amazing. He is takes pride in himself and he has matured. The focus, confidence and discipline he has gained through karate has transferred to other areas of his life such as educational tasks, looking after younger children both in and out of his family and demonstrating empathy for others.Robert-Macfarlane
Robert Macfarlane, father of Tyvian Macfarlane
09/08/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
I owe my confidence, strength, fitness and leadership skills to Karate. It has taught me to persist with everything and that the only way to improve is to try harder.Adam-Loader-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
Adam Loader

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Adam's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
Look at what you have achieved Matt, we can’t thank you enough for your contribution to shaping these two young men. We are often complimented about the maturity of the boys and we know their Karate has played an important part in developing that maturity. Brings a tear to my eye!
loadersRobert Loader, father of Adam and Jacob Loader
09/01/2014

Sensei Matt’s Blog Topics

  • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
  • Bullying and Self Defence for Kids
  • For the Martial Artist
  • For the Martial Arts Instructor
  • Kenpo
  • Martial Arts Movies for Kids
  • Martial Arts Resources for Parents
  • MMA
  • Online Kids Karate
  • Sensei Matt Klein's Guest Posts
  • Stranger Danger
  • Teaching Martial Arts to Kids
  • Uncategorized

Recent Posts

  • All Schools Closing Due to Coronavirus
  • Coronavirus Measures
  • 17 Things I Learned as a Blue Belt In BJJ
  • Teaching Children Martial Arts: Silent Stretches as a Powerful Tool

Recent Comments

  • Sensei Matt Klein on All Schools Closing Due to Coronavirus
  • Russell Henderson on All Schools Closing Due to Coronavirus
  • Sensei Matt Klein on 17 Things I Learned as a Blue Belt In BJJ
  • Mick Parker on 17 Things I Learned as a Blue Belt In BJJ
  • Sensei Matt Klein on Teaching Children Martial Arts: Silent Stretches as a Powerful Tool

Friends

  • Just A Thought
  • Kid Town Sydney
  • My journey to black belt
  • My Self Defense Blog
  • TDA Training
  • The Kids' Karate Workbook