Thank You Sensei. Osu!

Sensei,

I'm in Reston, VA as I mentioned the other day.

While I've been here I've had the opportunity to try three different Martial arts classes, Taekwondo, Thai-Chi and Jujitsu. I had many different opinions of all the classes (of course). If you're interested I'll tell you about them in greater detail next time I see you.

In each class I asked the instructor if I could visit their class and told them what my martial arts background is.

Image from Koguma Dojo West

Despite the differences in each class, I had one set of experiences that was the same in all of them. The students in the classes all asked me how long I've been studying, I received lots of praise and there seemed to be a consensus that I knew what I was doing, and most importantly in each class.

I felt that no matter what we were doing I had a foundation that enabled me to quickly understand and perform whatever was asked or demonstrated.

I just wanted to thank you for giving me that foundation.

I remember many times in your class seeing people who had apparently studied elsewhere struggle to keep up with the class and not only in regards to stamina. Many of them seemed to leave humbled.

I always wondered what it would be like to try other classes and if I would experience the same frustration that they seemed to. Thanks to you that has not been the case.

I realize that I am still just starting and that I have a long way to go, but being a student of yours has given me an advantage.

Eric Kamander