THUNDER BAY -- According to Isshinryu Karate athletes achieving the highest ranks, the martial art is all about focus.
For Sensei Susan Baldassi, mindset was a component of inter-disciplinary testing at the weekend-long Isshinryu Karate Expo.
“We want our students to be well rounded and to integrate their martial arts training by incorporating an essay and reflecting on it,” Baldassi said Sunday at the Valhalla Inn.
When Baldassi was testing for her sixth degree black belt she was required to write the same essay.
“I found it to be a really valuable exercise for me to reflect back on and to examine why I’ve been doing this for 30 years. It made me feel grateful for the gift of martial arts.”
Newly minted black belt student Jennifer Edwards said she found the essay challenging at first. Once she began to write, however, words started to flow.
In four short hours, Edwards’ blank page transformed into a five-page essay reflecting on how Isshinryu has affected her life since she started six years ago.
“Isshinryu has made a life-long impact on me in many ways: physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually,” Edwards said, following an afternoon workshop.
The student said she has experienced many stressful times throughout her life and credits karate for helping her cope. Isshinryu has helped her learn the art of breathing and putting all else aside to focus on what matters.
“It allowed me to learn to move through my energy and forget about everything, which has helped me feel better.”
Nolan Maenpaa, who earned his brown with black stripe belt Friday, shared similar feelings in his essay. His written piece details how Karate skills are transferable to his studies.
“It helps me focus outside of Karate. It helps me with school and with my everyday life,” he said.
“In Karate we do lots of focusing. We do lots of breathing and in school, it helps me focus, pick a task and see it to completion.”
Brown belt Marlies Iorianni said Isshinryu meditation helps her cope with anxiety.
“It’s a sport that helps you stay focused, it helps you stay on track,” Iorianni said.
Over 80 martial artists from around the region took part in the second Isshinryu Karate Expo. Participants attended 30 different seminars taught by 22 expert instructors.
