Some martial arts schools prize students who have a lot of physical talent - the natural athletes. These students are easy to teach and can win competition trophies for the Dojo to display.

I enjoy teaching these students as well, but I get even more satisfaction from teaching students with less talent but who have a desire to learn. These students will progress more slowly, and they have to work harder to develop the skills, but seeing that progress is very gratifying. I am very proud when I see these students improving.

Shotokai Karate is for anyone who has the desire to learn and the willingness to work to achieve their goals.

I am happy that I discovered Shotokai Karate as a young man. When I was in my early 20s I undoubtedly would also have enjoyed a competitive style of martial arts, but in my 60s I realize how fortunate I am.

I am not as fast or strong as I was when I was a younger man, but I am still improving in many ways. One of the beauties of Shotokai is that it doesn't rely solely upon those physical traits; instead we study things like timing and relaxed body mechanics to continue to make our karate better. This is a gift. I am technically slower than many of the younger students in my class, but I can often seem to be faster just because I have better timing.

Many martial artists stop training when they get older because they no longer feel they are improving. That's not surprising if what they are practicing relies primarily on strength and speed - which obviously diminishes as we age - or they have had too many injuries from competitions. Others become just coaches/teachers. I also get a lot a gratification from teaching, but I also want to continue to train and develop my own skills. Shotokai karate lets me do this even as I get older.