Welcome to De Stewart-Otto's Karate Page
Quick Links
Introduction
Hi. My name is De Stewart-Otto. In the picture above, I am the one with the longer hair. My husband is the good looking one. (I'm a little biased.) I've been hooked on the martial arts for almost ten years now. How do I know that I'm hooked, read some of the warning signs in You Know You're Hooked on Karate When . I answered yes to all ten of them!
Karate Training
My main style is Shotokan Karate, where I have earned the rank of ni kyu (2nd kyu). I have also studied Aikido, Kenpo, and a modified version of Tae Kwon Do. I love everything about the martial arts: the workouts, philosophy, discipline. My karate belts mean a great deal to me; however, belt rankings have never been my primary concern. I love the martial arts and enjoy teaching what little I know to those who will listen. A Cyberdojo member, Daniel M. Vincent, expressed this feeling best when he wrote:
"I'm a novice today and will be just a little less of a novice the day I die. I just want to learn and practice and maybe some day teach what I am taught so that others can experience the tremendous joy I feel when I practice."
For this reason, I love to teach.
Karate Instructor
I teach karate, under the direction of Sensei Mary Crawford. I have found teaching to be very rewarding. I love teaching the children's classes. Besides learning karate, children learn discipline, respect, and pride in themselves. All qualities that will help them to become better people. In this way, I feel that I have made a contribution to society as a whole; time spent teaching a child is never wasted.
How I Got Started
Quite frankly, by accident. I needed a physical fitness class for my associate degree in liberal arts. A class was offered in self-defense. I thought it would be the usual self-defense class that women take, how to carry your purse, how to walk, etc. Piece of cake. Well, I showed up the first day of class to see everyone walking around in karate uniforms. What I thought would be a piece of cake turned out to be push-ups and sit-ups and punching and kicking. At first it was very intimidating, soon however, I found myself in love with the martial arts. I love summers the most because we can workout outside. Have you ever tried doing your katas in the ocean? With the waves pounding against your back, the words balance, form and endurance gain entirely new meanings. I have to admit karate classes were wonderful places to meet men; I met my husband in karate.
Shotokan Instructors
I have studied under several different Shotokan instructors.
My Interests
- Traditional Karate
- Teaching
- Kata
- Philosophy
Farewell
Well, that's about it for the karate life and times of De Stewart. If any one would like to email me, my address is: destewart@aedra.com.
Remember to read You Know You're Hooked on Karate When.....
Do you wake up Saturday mornings stiff and sore? Is another night like Friday night the only thing that will make you feel better? Do you workout alone? Do you find that once you've thrown a jab, you can't stop until you've followed it with a reverse punch? If so, you may be (gasp!!) HOOKED ON KARATE. How do you know? Here are a few clues.
- You know you're hooked when the first word out of your parrot's mouth is KIAI!, and you teach your cat how to free spar.
- You know you're hooked when you have more bruises than a roller derby queen, and you still go back for more.
- You know you're hooked when you shut the refrigerator door with a side thrust kick.
- You know you're hooked when you shop for clothes based on whether you can kick in them.
- You know you're hooked when the only clothes you'll wear are gi’s.
- You know you're hooked when you actually crave a beach workout.
- You know you're hooked when the books on your night stand are by authors like Gichin Funakoshi, Hirokazu Kanazawa and Musashi Miyamoto.
- You know you're hooked when the Twelve Days of Christmas becomes: one boxing bag, two boxing gloves, three shin pads (includes an extra pad for the one you'll inevitably lose), four Tokaido gi's, five rolls of adhesive tape....twelve cases of Tiger Balm.
- You know you're hooked when you look for a place to live based on the amount of practice space it provides.
- You know you're hooked when you refuse to wear shoes.
Well, how did you score? Does any of these situations sound familiar? If so, it's hopeless - you're hooked. The only option now is to join CKA, Compulsive Karatekas Anonymous. Don't fret though. I'm sure you'll find plenty of familiar faces. See you there.
Thanks for Visiting
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 Aedra Associates, Inc.
If you have any comments or suggestions, please send email to destewart@aedra.com.
Last Updated: May 16, 1998