When my sons and I joined karate a little over 4 years ago thinking that we would get some exercise an learn something new. Who would have guessed that it would make such a huge impact on our lives? The discipline, the respect towards others and myself, the commitment to the art, and the hard work all seem small when one day you realize just how far you have come as a person... as a martial artist.

I have accomplished things in class that I never would have thought I could do. I have become a more confident person in my personal life, in my choices that I make and I like the person who I have become. Being a student of Michael Smith's is hard work, a lot of sweat, commitment, and the never say "I can't" attitude. His experience, his dedication to the art, his individual attention and patience that he shows his students brings out things in all of us that we didn't know we had. Since starting the adult karate class 4 years ago, I have seen men, women and teenagesr, myself and my children included, change over the years. Some of us have gained confidence, some of us have turne from introverts toextroverts, and some have even come out of hiding in corners to the front of the class. It's a tough school, it's a disciplined school and it's a martial arts school. It's life changing and I cant imagine life without it for my family.

Denise Obenour
Green Belt Adult Student