"Who are any of us not to be all that we can be???"

Training in Kenpo Karate has become a way of training for life. I've learned so much not just about the art of Kenpo, but also about myself. This art has helped me grow on so many levels - from focusing my energy into achieving the challenging goals laid before me, to increasing my self-confidence, to developing a profound respect for the possibilities that are within me and everyone else, and the list can go on...

Being a student at Sandor Urban's US Kenpo Kai has in a very profound way inspired me to achieve beyond my own expectations. I applied the same mentality I have towards training and becoming a better martial artist to becoming a more dedicated and focused student in my studies, raising the bar for myself as a musician, athlete, and as an artist.

Through Kenpo I've learned that my biggest fear wasn't that I wasn't inadequate, rather that I could be powerful beyond measure. I also realized that I have this in common with many people: it is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Why have I been so afraid in the past to be good? Who am I to be brilliant, quick, well-trained, and fabulous??? Actually, who am I not to be? Who are any of us not to be all that we can be???The confidence and balance I've attained (and continue to attain) through training at Sandor Urban's US Kenpo Kai has helped me to give myself permission to let out all this energy and possibilities I have within me through screaming (Ki-ya!), running, kicking, even FLIPPING if I feel the impulse. I've felt the channels of my energy be opened up to new possibilities; you see, Kenpo does not only make the body open up, it also influences the mind and spirit to open up to wider horizons.

Michelle Gonzalez
Coral Gables

"I kept telling myself that I didn't have the time or that I wasn't in good enough shape..."

Karate was one of those things I always wanted to do, but never actually took the initiative to pursue. As fate would have it, I enrolled my son at U.S. Kenpo Kai mainly because of the proximity to our home and because he really responded to karate when exposed to it in an after school program. At the time I had only a very basic understanding of Martial Arts and had no idea what Kenpo was all about. As I sat, proudly watching my son taking classes, I began noticing the adult classes. I saw the camaraderie between the students and how they really seemed to be enjoying themselves.

This was nothing like what I picture a karate class to be like. I had always pictured a militant type scenario instead of the lighthearted and fun mood of this school. Sifu Sandor Urban's approach of conveying his art to the students was a big factor in convincing me to get me up off the sidelines and into the class. I remember that I was invited to a seminar at the school given by Grand Master Richard "Huk" Planas. I was clueless at the time as to what was going on but one of the students participating helped me get through the class( thanks Izzy!). That was it - I decided to sign up.

I remember coming to my first class wondering what I had gotten myself into. I was actually having second thoughts on my way upstairs. I kept telling myself that I didn't have the time or that I wasn't in good enough shape ( I was 35-40 pounds heavier at the time). These negative thoughts quickly disappeared as I easily got through the class and found myself enjoying it tremendously. A couple of months later I earned my yellow belt. I'll never forget it. I was very proud that I had actually gotten off of my butt to do something I wanted to do and was getting in pretty decent shape doing it.

After my yellow belt promotion I was really hooked. I've found that Kenpo has really helped my coordination and balance. I'm much more flexible at 38 than I was at 18! My mental attitude and focus in general has improved as well. Kenpo has provided an outlet to replace some of the negative habits I had. Oh yeah, did I mention increased confidence? In my time at the school I've enjoyed watching new students progress and gain confidence. The transformations are an amazing thing to see. I personally feel a lot better equipped with the training I've received should I be forced to defend myself or my family. In these uncertain and potentially dangerous times I'm more then happy to acquire the self defense skills that Kenpo provides.

Finally, there is the spiritual aspect of martial arts. I've read that in its purest form, Martial Arts serves as a vehicle towards self enlightenment. Ok - that might seem like a stretch to some but it undoubtedly makes you more aware of your body, how it moves and how it should feel. I personally have never felt better and as aware as I am today. I know that with the help of my new Kenpo family, I will reach the goals that I set for myself. If you're thinking about taking up karate - DO IT!!! You will never regret it. I began the journey late in life but I'm glad that I started when I did.

Respectfully,

Rudy Eguilior
Coral Gables

"I truly love the feeling of accomplishment I receive."

I've always dreamed about learning Martial Arts since I was a kid watching all the great Kung Fu movies. It was something that captured my attention and curiosity. But of course back then you never really heard or saw too many women involved in the Arts. So instead I played every other sport possible.

I have always been a very active person and always enjoyed a challenge. Twelve years ago I had my first medical obstacle. I injured my knee and needed surgery. I have had three surgeries in total since then, and I never thought I would ever be able to participate in anything that involved me doing anything more then walking. Now, I have been doing Martial Arts for a little over a year and truly love the feeling of accomplishment I receive. Not only am I more active and still playing softball I feel better then I have in a very long time. I now look forward to going to class because it's a gathering of friends helping each other learn and succeed. No one is there to say I'm better then you or look at the color my belt. It's unity, a band of brothers all in unison to achieve one goal and thats's to learn the phenomenal art of American Kenpo.

I have Sifu Sandor Urban to thank for all of this. He believed in me before I believed in myself. He taught me that I could achieve whatever I want and it would be done at my own pace. I've never met someone as passionate about helping others achieve their goals other then him. However, I can not forget the classmates and the Kenpo family I have become a part of.

Jessica N. Lopez
West Miami

"...an opportunity to make a positive impact in my life and the life of the people around me..."

January 1994, I walked into a karate school at the age of twelve years. Little did I know that I had just made the best decision of my life. I took my two intro classes in one day and received my white belt during the night time beginner’s class. I started off at the end of the line, behind Yellow and Orange Belts.
Up till then in my life, I had never drawn any plan of action for my life. Let’s face it, I was twelve. But standing at the end of that line changed everything. From the beginning I was set on “Black Belt”; but first it was to get to the front of that beginner’s class that I wanted to accomplish. Have all the Yellow and White Belts look at me as the example. By June that goal was accomplished.
In October I tested for my Purple Belt. It was like nothing I had experienced before; the feeling that something new and amazing was going to be rewarded to me if I wanted it; and I wanted it badly! I have taken nine belt tests during my journey, and that was by far the one that I am most proud of.
As a Black Belt today, I realize that it isn’t the ability to do fancy kicks, or hammer opponents into the ground that makes me who I am. It is the drive and ambition to make every second of my life an opportunity to make a positive impact in my life and the life of the people around me; and the world can’t have enough of us.
Looking back on that night, with nothing but cold cement floor at my feet, and the sound of rain drops on the steel railings, I thank my instructor for surrounding me with what I began to take as a negative environment; and leaving it up to me to convert it into a positive experience. He did his part in impacting my life, and still does. Now it is I looking for that someone everyday that I can do the same for.
Some days I do it in class, other times it may be at my home. I know that I have many people looking at me for answers and guidance as they go through a similar journey. But what they don’t see is that I am looking at them for answers at the same time. I have learned that although we have the same goal, we are all going to face it differently. No one has the best approach, and no one has a wrong approach. Since I am still, and will be till the day I die, on this journey, I will need help along the way. Whether it be from my instructor, a peer, or a brand new White Belt.
That is what I LOVE about this. I have learned more since I received my Black Belt in May of 2000, than the six years prior. Twelve years after I walked into that karate school, I still tie my black belt like that little twelve year old did with his white belt. Mike Molina
1st Degree Black Belt
Coral Gables, FL.