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Home » Blog » Why I Love Teaching Kids Karate

Why I Love Teaching Kids Karate

January 24, 2011 By Sensei Matt Klein

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Sensei Matt Klein teaching kids karate

Sensei Matt Klein "Teaching kids karate is the best job in the world".

The Kids Karate Sensei is Grateful

I recently sat down and thought, how lucky am I to have a career I love. I sat down and wrote out all the reasons I am grateful. It is a great exercise; I recommend it highly. I am truly blessed, and grateful. Here’s why.

Surrounded by people we like

I like kids. From the very first moment I put on my gi and started helping kids with their karate, I knew I found my calling. The little ones followed me around, asking questions, showing me their moves “that they made up”, while laughing and smiling the whole time. Kids are fun. How could you not like them?

I like the social aspects. I like the sense of community that we have in the karate world. The black belts, who started as kids, and who are now instructors; the parents who have been there supporting their kids and our program for years; the many friendships that have been built in the karate dojo; the jokes, laughs, and “inside information” we all share; this is what builds a great community.

Keeps me fit and young

Keeps me fit. As any mother or father can attest, trying to keep up with the kids can take some serious energy. Let’s face it. We all like to eat, and we all like to relax. I like my food–did anyone say “chocolate”? I enjoy surfing the net and reading other people’s blogs—while sitting down. Without this job to get me up and about, who knows how unfit I would be.

Keeps me young. Kids have a different way of looking at things. The way they talk, the positive way they think (some day they are going to be Superman!), the way they don’t really care how they look when learning new things. How they just start playing a game and everyone is invited, the more the merrier. The wonder of the world around them. Just being around it keeps a person young at heart. I get to play games, have fun, and sometimes act like a kid too.

I am motivated by the martial arts

I like to challenge myself to be better. When I see one of my students perform a kata brilliantly, it inspires me to be better. When I go to a karate tournament and see a guy ten years older than me doing something amazing, it makes me want to do better. I like how everyone around me is constantly lifting their game, which makes me want to do the same.

I am passionate about martial arts. Since the day I walked into my first karate class, I knew I was in it; hook, line, and sinker. Writing down all the moves so I would not forget them, practising almost every day, jumping into the tournament scene, even dreaming about martial arts; I could not get enough. This has not changed one bit, even after half a lifetime.

I am jazzed about what I do and look forward to each day. Those that know me well are aware that I am a bit of a “night bird”, but when I get up in the morning I am fired up and ready to tackle the day ahead. I cannot wait to “get at it”.

I feel like I’ve accomplished something at the end of the day. When I get in my car at the end of the day, I smile knowing that we did something truly amazing. We built up the confidence and self-esteem of youngsters, and helped them to build better lives for themselves. For me, it is the best job in the world.

Why I Love Teaching Kids Karate is an original article by Sensei Matt Klein

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Filed Under: Teaching Martial Arts to Kids

Comments

  1. SueC says

    January 27, 2011 at 3:26 am

    You seem to have really found your calling in life. The kids must love having you as their sensei as much as you like teaching them. Enthusiasm is infectious!

  2. Sensei Matt Klein says

    January 27, 2011 at 12:36 pm

    Enthusiasm is definitely infectious, Sue. I guess I’m one of the lucky ones, it took me 35 years to find it, but better late than never!

  3. Cheryl from thatgirlisfunny says

    January 28, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    Your enthusiasm shines through as mentioned above by the other people commenting. You shine on twitter and when you leave comments and – most especially – here on your blog when you talk about martial arts and teaching kids. It’s absolutely fabulous that you have found the perfect match for your skills.

    I’m on stumbleupon right now and your blog just popped up. I gave you a thumbs up, my friend 🙂

  4. Sire says

    January 28, 2011 at 5:45 pm

    Well Matt, it looks like you’ve found your true calling. Not many people can say that, some people go through their whole life not finding it.

    I’ve often wondered what mine was. I’m not sure I have one, other than looking after my family. That in itself is pretty important. Perhaps that is my calling, and if so I accept it and will do my best to honor it.

  5. Sensei Matt Klein says

    January 28, 2011 at 11:04 pm

    Hi Cheryl! Great to see you here. Thanks so much for the kind words and for your stumble love. Yes, I wake up every day with a feeling of gratefulness for finding my true calling. By the looks of things, so have you. Really enjoy your blog!

  6. Sensei Matt Klein says

    January 30, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    Thanks Sire, welcome. Looking after your family is an admirable calling, as it takes many sacrifices. It also requires you to set the best example you can, just like a sensei.

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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

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