Proud Parents Mark & Leah:Dear Sensei Brian: Last week on a family trip to Disneyland, five-year old Ben was most excited about the Star Wars ride and the Jedi Training Academy. Friends had told Ben that you might get picked to go on stage and actually participate in the Jedi training. Of course, Ben wanted to get to the Jedi Training show early and wait as close to the front as possible.
A Disney employee told everyone to wait behind the blue line, so Ben went and sat down with perfect sitting posture, as if he were in karate class. Other kids began crossing the blue line and getting closer to the stage. I thought Ben was tempted to cross it himself, but he only went over it to tell the other kids (who might not have heard) the rule that you have to be behind the blue line. He then went back to his sitting posture behind the line. Soon more kids starting crossing the line and getting closer to the stage, I could tell Ben was getting nervous that maybe those kids would get to be in Jedi training because they were in front. But I assured Ben to do exactly what he was doing and he sat tall and waited.
When it was time to pick the kids for the show, all the kids in front of the line were asked to now get behind the line, where Ben already was. Sure enough, Ben was picked, and got to participate in the actual Jedi training. I could tell that his karate training had served him well because he picked up the light saber routine faster than most of the other kids and focused on listening to the instructor. Darth Vader must have noticed this, because when it was Ben’s turn to fight Vader, Vader sensed a disturbance in the force and had the Storm Troopers attack Ben, but Ben calmly used the force with confidence and the Storm Troopers and Vader jumped away from Ben.
It was a great lesson for Ben in following the rules, patience and how all of his hard work in karate is paying off. As a parent, it was incredible to see the calm, centered confidence in Ben in the midst of such excitement and stimulation.
Thank you, Sensei Brian for all your work and dedication to our children.
Teacher Julie Smith: “Ben is a wonderful student. He is mature, intelligent and has a great attitude. Ben is kind and respectful to his teachers and to his fellow classmates. He is a great joy to have in our class.”