Karate event draws participants from around the country

In the grand ballroom, the barefoot white coated group moved in unison, gracefully executing moves, kicks and jabs with a soft “ha!” at the end of each move.

Sensei Doug Perry, who had completed three tours in Vietnam as a sniper, stood at the head of the class, moving with a grace that belied his 85 years.

Jimmy Newton, of Newton’s Karate in Shelby, held Newton’s Pioneer Gasshuku at the LeGrande Center Saturday. Gasshuku means “gathering” in Japanese, and the event attracted people from all over the country. Newton said four of the 19 instructors are Vietnam veterans, and they represented 13 different states.

The seminar, which had around 125 participants, was for teachers and students to further their study in karate.

“The seminar offers a chance to learn and come together and grow in the art,” Newton said. “It's good to bring people together.”

He said it's an opportunity to share ideas and build relationships and learn from the best.

“We’re the next generation of instructors coming up, and we need to pass on the gifts these extraordinary people gave us,” Newton said.

He is intending for the seminar to be an annual event in August.

“The spirit and camaraderie has been exceptional, he said. “The training is hard, but it’s fun. There’s a kindness here. I love what we do.”

The youngest participant was around 10 years old, and Sensei Perry, the head instructor, is 85.

“They don’t treat anybody like they’re inferior,” Newton said.

During the classes, Newton said they work patterns, then from the patterns they look at what the significance of the moves mean.

Every hour there is a different class taught by a different instructor. Participants could pick and choose the classes they wish to attend.

“People can take classes based on interest,” Newton said.

He said he advertised the event on social media and also word of mouth helped get the word out.

A lot of people came because of the lineup of prestigious instructors.

“I've been going to these camps for years, and now I get to bring it here,” Newton said.

The feedback, he said, has been nothing but positive.

Everyone described it as a first-class event.

Tom Harris, from Virginia, was one of the participants.

“My teacher is the senior instructor here,” he said.

He said he has been practicing karate for over 40 years and teaching for more than 30. He started because he was interested in self defense.

“It's one of the most beautiful arts in the world to train in,” Harris said.

He said the event was a great experience and provided a valuable learning opportunity.

“They are getting an education far beyond what they would get anywhere else,” he said.

He said the event was an opportunity for instructors to observe and learn and gain knowledge from each other and from the students.

He said the students teach them just as much as they teach them.

“It’s one great big round robin of learning,” he said.

Newton said the people in attendance come from all walks of life. He said Saturday’s event attracted surgeons, NASA employees, tattoo artists, Army colonels, bankers and more.

“All walks, it does not matter,” he said. “Anybody who wants to better themselves can start training.”

Rebecca Sitzes can be reached at rsitzes@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Shelby Karate seminar attracts a crowd