Kempo Ohana

To put this to bed right off the bat, I believe any family that grows in a disciplined sport truly has something special. Just so I don't get any comments that martial arts is the only disciplined sport.

I also truly believe that the families I see in our martial arts school and other ones like mine are so special. We just recently went through several losses in the martial arts world from parents of students to teachers and instructors that not only trained for many years (one I know for sure trained for over 30 years), and watching this community of martial artists surround and comfort each other through these hard times has been amazing.

Not to brag, but all of my dearest friends and people that I know that will help me in any way, shape, or form, are from my martial arts family. In our specific system we call this "Kempo Ohana." Kempo is our style of karate, while "Ohana" is the Hawaiian word for family. I don't want you to miss this, but these people live and breathe for each other, and those who stick around and train, or even those who leave, are a part of this family. Time and time again I have watched my instructors drop what they are doing and go to help any of their students.

Being a part of a "Ohana" in America is a big deal. Our culture really drives on doing things by yourself, believing in yourself, self-strength, going at it alone, self-discipline, self-worth, personal success, personal wins, etc. There is something about having a group of support behind you. Don't get me wrong, I see many people who make it to the top with the entire world against them, I've even seen children succeed in this environment too. But, when we can be with a host of many close friends and "family," there is a power there that is almost unshakeable.

You have probably seen this in your own life, you can do things alone, but soon, eventually, you will need help. Do you have a support system in your household? If your child is being bullied at school, who do you go to for advice? If your mom passes away, who is going to come help you clean out her house? Who do you have?

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