I began training in 2006 at the tender age of 33, having decided I needed some physical activity to keep me in shape & exercise my brain at the same time without going to the gym… which has never appealed to me!
My son, who was 5 at the time, took up karate with Whitstable Karate Kai & having found out there was an adult class on a Monday evening decided to give it a try.
2015 – Nearly 10 years later under the guidance of Baldwin Sensei I progressed through the required grades & I successfully challenged for my Shodan in December in Kamishin Ryu Karate.
Over the years my training has increased to 3 nights a week, I attend as many seminars & courses as is possible to gain more knowledge, to meet & to train with different people & clubs.
Alongside my continuing development in karate I also train in Kobujutsu weapons, which gives another dimension to my martial arts studies in the form of armed combat.
In October 2014 Baldwin Sensei set up a dojo to teach Toyama Ryu Iaido of which I became a student to learn the correct technique for drawing & cutting using a sword.
My son no longer trains, but along with my daughter, I continue to learn under Sensei Baldwin, improve my understanding & knowledge of martial arts & be able to pass on my knowledge to those willing to learn.