NEDSRA participant practices for black belt in karate
“Haaait!” yells Yvonne Blais as she punches the air with her fist. Another “haait” is followed by a quick left-footed air kick.
The young woman from Villa Park is practicing her katas, karate exercises, in preparation for her test Saturday, Nov. 16, that would allow her to wear the coveted 1st degree black belt, or Shodon.
Blais is a fifth-generation martial arts student of what is commonly called “Okinawan” karate. Her current status level is Senpai, signified by her white belt with red markings.
She has been training for more than a year with her sensei, or teacher, and mentoring other Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association youths in the Shorei-ryu style karate program. As a black belt sensei, Blais will be expected to pass on her knowledge.
The martial art of karate has its roots in China, but was refined in Okinawa, Japan. Originally, it was a method for peasant farmers to protect themselves from invading imperial armies by using defensive movements and counterattacks with simple farm tools.
The art teaches joint locks, punches, blocks and kicks to protect an individual from a personal attack.
Blais first started participating in karate with NEDSRA, a special recreation association in Addison that develops programs for youths and adults with disabilities.
“I first wanted to learn karate when I saw Hillary Swank in the movie ‘The Next Karate Kid,’” says Yvonne. “She was tough and I wanted to have her confidence.”
Yvonne became one of Sensei Larry’s first karate students more than 10 years ago.
At that time, NEDSRA was testing a pilot karate program introduced by Larry Elmore, who believes karate should be a Special Olympics sport because of its benefits. He is lobbying Special Olympics Illinois to start a program like those in California and New Jersey.
“When I first approached NEDSRA with the idea of a karate class, the directors were concerned that it was too aggressive. Their fear was that I was teaching kids how to hurt each other. My dojo (house) modernized the program to focus on the benefits of karate: building strength, self-defense and instilling confidence,” Elmore said.
Blais practices her katas one hour each week at the karate studio, and then every day at home for 15 minutes. She has to learn the five sacred animal stances, with her favorite being the crane stance. It is considered a spiritual stance, with one leg lifted off the floor, one arm over the head, and one arm at the side.
To help her train for the black belt test, Blais rides an exercise bike to increase her stamina and practices shadow boxing punches for quickness. She has noticed her work with karate has improved her eye-hand coordination, which helps her performance in floor hockey, volleyball and basketball at NEDSRA.
“Before I started karate, I couldn’t do jumping jacks and had terrible eye contact. Now I jump around with ease and my confidence is much higher,” Blais said.
Her black belt test is Saturday, Nov. 16, at Sensei Steve’s Karate Center in Villa Park.