Here's what our students and parents say about Okami:
Dear Sensei Oz
Having known you now for several years and having travelled with you to many places, including Japan, I am impressed with how you have continued to grow in enthusiasm.
I respect your broad spectrum of knowledge and your continued thirst to improve it, hence even going to Thailand to learn Thai Boxing techniques and skills.
I've known you as a no-nonsense tough guy and a sympathetic fun person, which is why you have a rounded appeal for both adults and children alike.
Wishing yourself and Okami Schools all the success you deserve.
Regards,
Paul Coleman - Kyoshi Shihan - 7th Dan - JKF Goju Kai
Hi Sensei
I really enjoy being at your classes because it gives me a good fitness work out. I enjoy it and I would like to grow better at martial arts and become a black belt.
Thank you for teaching me last year and happy new year.
Yours sincerely
Ben Wakeman
Hi Oz
Conor has been with you since January /February 2005. He spent 2 years with the little dragons which he enjoyed. He was very shy in the beginning hence the reason we wanted him to do something to bring him out of himself a bit. He did sit and watch for the first few weeks before he joined in, in a full session and hasn't looked back since.
For the last year he has moved up to the family class where he convinced/black mailed me into doing it with him. He has now reached his brown belt and is very proud of himself. He looks forward to going every Monday and Saturday. He's first competition is this February. He is looking forward to this, a bit nervous but that's good for him I think, make's him concentrate!!!
His karate has help him gain more confidence in his other sports, as you know he does swimming once a week (Tuesday) and play's rugby (Sundays) with Westcliff U9's.
Being involved in the above clubs has helped his social skills and for a chap his age, meeting new friends and enjoying going along to his activities is the most important thing rather than being it to win or being competitive which will all come in time. Even at the moment his team at Westcliff are starting to be competitive. This is probably due to the fact that's it's a team sport and slightly more physical in one sense.
I have also enjoyed and I'm very happy Conor blackmailed me into starting karate. I was a bit sore and stiff for the first few months but it was definitely worth it. It shows you can start karate at any age.
Thank you
Paraic and Conor
My 11 year old daughter has been training with Okami Martial Arts for the last two and a half years and loves her lessons.
It’s a really friendly atmosphere and everyone looks after each other – especially the kids. They know that when they’re praised, they’ve done well and you can see it on their faces.
The Sensei, Ozel Osman has high standards and he always encourages the students to have high expectations and believe in themselves.
After my daughter broke her ankle in a trampoline accident last year, she had to be careful about the way she re-started her martial arts training. Her physiotherapist was very impressed with the variety and type of warm up exercises that the children do at the Academy and she said the exercises would help with her recovery.
Now, she’s literally fighting fit in her karate lessons, learning how to defend herself - and having fun!
Penny O’Byrne
Happy New Year to you Oz
Josh has now been attending Okami for nearly 4 years, he started when he was in Reception Class at school and attended the Little Dragons , then about a year later moved up to the mixed class.
I must admit to thinking that he would not progress very far in Martial Arts as he had problems with his coordination, however I am so glad to be proved wrong as the classes not only improved his coordination greatly, they also boosted his self confidence, concentration and personal strength.
This has also had a knock on effect to his school work as he was prone to day dream a bit, he also has got more interest in other sports such as swimming and cycling and with the strength he has built up through the exercises at Okami is able to compete at a high level.
Josh was never an aggressive boy and I am glad to say that hasn't changed, however he is confident in the fact that he is able to look after himself and mix well with children of all ages, he looks forward each week to the classes and is keen to move up the grades.
As parents we are delighted with the effect that Okami has had on Josh and look forward to many more years attending.
Thanks for all your patience and training.
Shasna and Doug
Dear Sensei Oz
It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of recommendation.
My son has been attending Okami since 2005 and has gained a huge amount of self-confidence and pleasure from attending you classes. Whilst I was still a visiting parent, I could see the respect that all these children had for you as their teacher, as well as then pleasure they were getting from the class. All of this whilst getting some much needed exercise.
In April 2007 I dived in and had a go myself. After the first lesson, I ached in places I didn’t know I had muscles, but felt so full of life. I am sure that I am not alone in having done no more exercise than walking to the car each day for twenty years! In the last eight months I have learnt so much from your classes – an environment where everyone helps each other, and no-one criticises or belittles you – and as a bonus I have lost over 2 stones in weight without trying, and now that my body is getting fitter, I have given up my last great sin….Smoking. Learning a martial art has disciplined my mind and body, and given me something to think about when my mind is empty.
Please show my comments to any one who asks What is Karate? And I will tell them it is Fun, Fitness, Invigorating, Healthy, Confidence boosting, Motivating, Exercise for Mind and Body, and did I mention you learn to defend yourself too!!
Yours sincerely
Graham Muir MPRC