Jazzay's Qype profile

Zen Shin for me is the epitomy of quality martial arts.

I first came to Zen Shin as an eight-year-old girl and have been training with the association for almost ten years. Now eighteen, I can safely say I'd be nothing like the person I am today had I never come to Zen Shin.

I had previously trained at a club in Nottinghamshire, a large, money-making factory which readily churned out 'black belts'. The difference between that and Zen Shin was striking. I've found that both as a child and as an adult, individual attention is paid to each and every student, which is a massive help to those low on confidence. I have heard instructors consider individual students carefully, discussing what they can improve on, and how to help them. This is just one of many things which confirm just how much the Senseis care about their students' progress, and this shows in the development of each member.

The standard of teaching itself is fantastic. It's hard to fully appreciate how professional the Senseis are. They really are instructors through and through, and I have always felt how I am in such excellent hands.

Zen Shin has a brilliant blend of challenges and community feel. I have taken gradings, participated in competitions and challenged myself by going on weekend training courses in Devon which have all inspired me to constantly up my standard. Social evenings out and simply chatting to other members before and after lessons are part of what builds up the all-accepting attitude of the Zen Shin community, which sometimes can be so hard to come by in other clubs.

Nor is it 'elitist', like so many other academies where slow starters are quickly washed out. The quality of karate is extremely high but I have seen this is due to instructors truly caring about their students and not being able to wait to see individual development. They recognise, after all, that each student has their own story and will have difficulties along the way because of different things. Never is a child or adult written off.

Those of my fellow students who are challenged with physical or mental disabilities benefit enormously from being at Zen Shin just like any other member. In fact I've found that many embody the hard-working spirit and determination that is so prominent in the club.

As a child it was easy to take the high level of discipline in the dojo for granted. It really is uncanny though, seeing how well-behaved young children can be during their karate class when they're at the age at which distraction or lack of discipline in the school classroom is typical. The instructors seem to be so sensitive to the children's needs and have such a good knowledge of how they tick, that classes are always well-maintained and the instructors actually make keeping twenty or so kids under control look easy.

The Student's Creed, which all members must learn, is particularly useful for younger people who are reminded about the values and responsibilities which come with learning karate.

I've actually heard quite a few parents describing how much more focused their children are becoming at school thanks to karate, and it has definitely done the same for me. Like many others, the sense of achievement has helped develop my confidence and I've been surprised at how this has translated to so many other areas of my life. I have been extremely lucky to have grown up with karate, and the way in which it was taught at Zen Shin.

As an adult now, the classes are challenging but just as fun and worthwhile. An advantage of training as an adult is the ability to connect with your instructors, who, in my case, have known me since my childhood. Each instructor is a friend of mine and it would be extremely hard for me not to admire them after seeing how great they are as teachers, but also for their values and beliefs about karate. Unlike so many others, they haven't fallen into the trap of karate-for-money, but instead are focused on long-term development of the individual and for this reason, I'm fortunate enough not to be part of the recycled thousands of martial artists who passed in and out of the art because teachers weren't quite bent enough upon committing to each student.
They have a real passion for karate, the same way they have a real passion for positively influencing lives, as they've done mine.

Karate is now a part of my identity and confidence. Really, one of the most essential things I've realised from being at Zen Shin is that whatever belt you're grading for - be it black, brown, orange... - it's not really about getting it. What captures you more is the thought of deserving it.