When the COVID-19 crisis hit in mid-March, everyone was surprised – and not really prepared – for the world downturn. As we take steps to recover from COVID-19, we find that there are opportunities for a new, better, more considerate, and less stressful way of living. People are learning to work from home, school closings have given us more time with our children, and social distancing has taught us patience and to give each other more room.
All of our karate classes in recent months have been online virtual classes, which, for many of us, is a new and different challenge. But we are making it work, and now a new tool has been added to our curriculum. When the government allows us to reopen physical classes without risk to our students, we will continue with virtual classes as another teaching tool to help all of our students to review and stay current with classes even when physical attendance is not possible.
Instead of large, over-attended classes, we will have more help and attention available to our athletes. Our students will train more for practical karate rather than trophies from competitions. The concepts of courtesy and respect will prevail over the ego and false confidence of the ‘Big Show.’ Hard work and patience will be what is important in the martial arts when we get back to regular training.
As an instructor with over 50 years of teaching, I believe that sometimes a crisis like COVID-19 makes us take steps backward in order to reset and move forward with a new and improved future. We can get off the hamster wheel and spend more time with each other as we strive to be our best – and to be helpful and tolerant and more considerate and caring of others.
By Mike Donovan, President, Olympic Karate Academy
