Taking karate at WestWind Karate started as an activity and positive experience for my son and me to share. While it accomplishes that initial goal, it has evolved into a personal challenge that improves my daily life and outlook.
The instructors are excellent at WestWind. They break down the techniques, strikes, kicks, blocks and explain their purpose at each point of the movements so as you are doing them over and over again you can focus on accomplishing the purpose of the move. They have us practice those moves on the bags and training shields, and we spar in class. The bags are available to use outside of class time as well and we are encouraged to use them. Sparring at the lowest belt level is very light but it increases as your skills increase. It has been great to see how my son looks up to the instructors and thrives on their encouragement. They are patient, professional, and skilled.
We get an awesome workout each class but physical fitness is a bonus. The heart of what they teach is defense. It centers around the theme of being attacked, the attacker or attackers are bigger than you and will not follow the moves we practice. We also spend time covering mental/spiritual principles such as integrity, self-control, etc. Those values have a way of creeping into my work and home life and I find I am checking myself to make sure I actually follow those principles.
Another bonus is discipline. This style of Karate, which is Kenpo, has some roots in the military and that same military discipline has been carried down to WestWind Karate. Various flavors of calisthenics, stretches, stances, shouts. All of it helps sharpen and unite us as students. I served in the military and I understand the benefits of this kind of discipline. It's great to see the kids in class push through and accomplish those tasks. It has brought me back to fond memories. Part of the fun is seeing which instructor will lead that part of class because some are harder than others.
WestWind has become much more that just "taking karate". I look forward to going to class, I study and think about what I've learned. My son and I help each other improve. Kenpo, for me has become a vehicle for personal improvement and satisfaction. WestWind Karate is excellently guiding me in those goals. The school is like a family. WestWind offers top-rate facilities, instructors, and environment for either a family or individual. I recommend coming to the Sandy school and taking a look around. Tell them Eric sent you.