The other day, one of my friends sent me a link entitled, “The #1 Exercise To Do As You Get Older.” Found at the AARP website, I suppose that it’s very appropriate for your sensei’s we are in our seventies, haha. Well, since I know that leg exercises are especially important for us “karate kupuna”, I was guessing that it might be about Tai Chi. However, it wasn’t about an entire regimen – instead, it was specific to just one exercise…squatting.

Now I’d have to say that I could never take up doing this. Even knowing about the great health benefits derived from squatting exercises, I’m sure that I’d get bored after a few reps.

With that in mind, I now realize that over the past 53+ years, Sensei Peter, Wayne and I have all been “tricked” into doing hundreds of thousands of these beneficial “squatting exercises”, as every Shotokan zenkutsu/kokutsu/kiba-dachi and keri-waza involves forms of dynamic squatting movements! In other words, when we practice, besides appreciating the beauty and power of kata, learning interesting combinations, bunkai applications, and enjoying working up a sweat with our fellow karateka – we’re all doing the #1 exercise to do as we get older. Yes, your sensei’s may be in their seventies, but all of our adult members are in their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.

The HISKF tries to provide training for members of our community that involves safe, healthy exercise, a good understanding of Shotokan Karate-Do and the improvement of one’s mind and spirit, at a price that families can afford. Our hope is that our members find the practice of karate as enjoyable as we do; sharing it with all of you. Good Squatting and have a Great Thanksgiving!