楢崎教子

Having fun though JUDO (2)

Motivitation for starting, and continuing judo (2)
Terry Fairbanks

　
After about a month, I realized that I needed to do more to improve my situation. I decided to put more emphasis on my life and my family rather than my job. Whenever possible, I started going for a walk during my lunch hour. It took me a while but I finally made it a habit. I also started watching the food that I was eating closely. It did not take me long to realize that I was eating too many calories and that my salt intake was too high. It was then that I decided to change my eating habits. I started eating out less and I also increased the amount of fruit and vegetables dramatically. I also started to weigh myself everyday and within only a week or two, I saw that I was starting to lose weight (Motivator #5). The change was surprisingly dramatic, within only about 3.5 months I lost ~25 lbs.
　

　
As I lost weight and continued to practice Judo I could feel that I was getting faster and stronger (Motivator #6). Also, I found that I actually enjoyed Judo, it was fun (Motivator #7). One of the main reasons I enjoy Judo is because of the people at the dojo. The other juodoka (Motivator #8) and the instructors (Motivator #9) in both the beginner and intermediate adult classes are extremely supportive. Some people are interested in competing, and everyone is interested in improving their technique. Everyone has a smile on their face both during and after each class. I am also encouraged by some of the older instructors who are in their mid-50’s and mid- to late-60’s! By their example I have learned that Judo is something that can be practiced for life.
　
One day Noriko-san told me that she thought that it was amazing that someone my age would start practicing judo at age (44). She said that it would be extremely rare for someone in Japan to start at my age.
　
I have also found it interesting that the judoka and the instructors motivate each other. Noriko-san has told me that the beginning adult class was one of her favorite classes – because of the support we give each other and because we all have fun. Several times Barry Hoffman Sensei has told me that he also receives benefit by being able to transfer his knowledge to the judoka. One of the judoka in the basic adult class stopped smoking cigarettes (Carl) and another is thinking about quitting (Calvin). Chris Sensei who had open heart surgery ~1 yr ago (wow!) comes to 5 classes per week and has started watching his diet closer and taking daily walks.
　
After having read Jigoro Kano Sensei’s writing in Mind over Muscle (ISBN-13: 978-4770030153) I now realize that there is much more to Judo than competition.
All I need to do is look at my own experience and the actions of those around me for examples. Also, after working with Barry Hoffman Sensei and other judoka in kata class and after reading Judo Formal Techniques by Tadao Otaki and Donn Draeger’s (ISBN-13: 978-0804816762) I realize that kata is an essential and necessary component to learning judo. Kata is not an esoteric practice that is only learned for belt promotions.
　
For me, the most important reasons for practicing judo are to improve my mental health, improve my physical health and improve the health of my family. Having fun and receiving intellectual stimulation in the process is a bonus.
　
Terry Fairbanks
March 8, 2008

With my students of the Boulder Judo Training Center

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Tags: coach, fun, japan, judo, Noriko Narazaki, 指導者, 柔道, 楢崎教子, 楽しむ

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