‘Keep yourself safe; learn the basics of self-defence’
Vanita Morar wins black belt in Japanese karate at 49
“On Saturday mornings, at the age of 45 years, I started to learn self-defence,” remembers Vanita Morar.
The Saturday self-defence community classes in Sandringham that Morar joined way back in September 2010, are free even today. Hanshi Chris Dessa of the Seishin-Ryu Karate-do along with the Sensei, are the teachers who give their time freely.
“I enjoyed the training sessions so much that I joined the week day karate sessions. I have always wanted to learn self-defence for a number of years and found martial arts fascinating when I saw a demonstration in my teenage years,” says 49-year-old Morar.
She is a mother of two boys, aged 14 and 16, both of whom started karate in 2008. Her husband decided to join the following year, and Vanita was the last to follow. “We train according to our age-group and our ability,” explains Morar, who continued karate “for the enjoyment and the fitness”.
Her sporting years started at the age of 14 years, when she joined the college hockey team. She continued playing competitively, and later socially, up to her mid 30s.
High point:
The high points for Morar were progressing through each level. “I was not bothered about which rank or grade I was or am; I just like the ‘fun factor’,” says Morar.
Today, she is the proud recipient of black belt in Japanese karate. “I am honoured, but I did not achieve this on my own,” says a very humble Morar. “I was lucky enough to have the guidance of the senior members of our dojo and the encouragement and support from my husband and sons.”
Tough moments:
The most challenging moments, for her, were the gradings. “I felt very nervous. To overcome these thoughts, I told myself to ‘Just do it and to do your best’,” says Morar, explaining how she boosted her morale in times of need.
Fear:
“When I went for the black belt grading, I felt I wasn’t ready or good enough. But I was told that ‘you are never ready’,” says Morar. She says that she was fortunate to have Hanshi and the ‘Karate family’ around her who gave her confidence.
Message:
Given that the newspapers are full of stories of random attacks, Morar feels, “It is important for women in this day and age to know how to defend themselves”. She adds, “I would encourage not only women, but everybody, to learn the basics of self-defence.”
She conveys her heartfelt thanks to Hanshi Chris Dessa, head instructor of Seishin-Ryu Karate-do and president of New Zealand Martial Arts Institute. “He is very supportive of all his students.”
A proud member of the dojo, Morar says, “I like the fact that we are taught morals and how to respect and treat others. We are taught to use karate as a last resort only, to defend ourselves. We are taught to avoid confrontations and to be safe.”
The younger children at the dojo are taught to respect their elders and to appreciate what their parents do for them. “Not only do we learn karate and self-defence, we also learn to travel on the right path in life,” adds Morar.
Vanita Morar wins black belt in Japanese karate at 49
“On Saturday mornings, at the age of 45 years, I started to learn self-defence,” remembers Vanita Morar.
The Saturday self-defence community classes in Sandringham that Morar joined way back in September 2010, are free even today. Hanshi...
Vanita Morar wins black belt in Japanese karate at 49
“On Saturday mornings, at the age of 45 years, I started to learn self-defence,” remembers Vanita Morar.
The Saturday self-defence community classes in Sandringham that Morar joined way back in September 2010, are free even today. Hanshi Chris Dessa of the Seishin-Ryu Karate-do along with the Sensei, are the teachers who give their time freely.
“I enjoyed the training sessions so much that I joined the week day karate sessions. I have always wanted to learn self-defence for a number of years and found martial arts fascinating when I saw a demonstration in my teenage years,” says 49-year-old Morar.
She is a mother of two boys, aged 14 and 16, both of whom started karate in 2008. Her husband decided to join the following year, and Vanita was the last to follow. “We train according to our age-group and our ability,” explains Morar, who continued karate “for the enjoyment and the fitness”.
Her sporting years started at the age of 14 years, when she joined the college hockey team. She continued playing competitively, and later socially, up to her mid 30s.
High point:
The high points for Morar were progressing through each level. “I was not bothered about which rank or grade I was or am; I just like the ‘fun factor’,” says Morar.
Today, she is the proud recipient of black belt in Japanese karate. “I am honoured, but I did not achieve this on my own,” says a very humble Morar. “I was lucky enough to have the guidance of the senior members of our dojo and the encouragement and support from my husband and sons.”
Tough moments:
The most challenging moments, for her, were the gradings. “I felt very nervous. To overcome these thoughts, I told myself to ‘Just do it and to do your best’,” says Morar, explaining how she boosted her morale in times of need.
Fear:
“When I went for the black belt grading, I felt I wasn’t ready or good enough. But I was told that ‘you are never ready’,” says Morar. She says that she was fortunate to have Hanshi and the ‘Karate family’ around her who gave her confidence.
Message:
Given that the newspapers are full of stories of random attacks, Morar feels, “It is important for women in this day and age to know how to defend themselves”. She adds, “I would encourage not only women, but everybody, to learn the basics of self-defence.”
She conveys her heartfelt thanks to Hanshi Chris Dessa, head instructor of Seishin-Ryu Karate-do and president of New Zealand Martial Arts Institute. “He is very supportive of all his students.”
A proud member of the dojo, Morar says, “I like the fact that we are taught morals and how to respect and treat others. We are taught to use karate as a last resort only, to defend ourselves. We are taught to avoid confrontations and to be safe.”
The younger children at the dojo are taught to respect their elders and to appreciate what their parents do for them. “Not only do we learn karate and self-defence, we also learn to travel on the right path in life,” adds Morar.
Leave a Comment