Our Martial Arts story actually began when I was an 8 year old child.I was always a tall, lanky, brainy, nerdy kind of kid.Like many kids, I was bullied; but I never had the size, skills, or confidence to fight back and stand up for myself.My parents enlisted me in karate.I instantly took to the training, discipline, respect, and humility expected of the students.
One day about a year or so into my training a kid picked a fight with me and we quickly took him to the ground and kicked him.I was sent to the principal’s office and told how we defended myself and was ultimately let go.When I got home and told my parents what happened we could see the happiness in my father’s eyes that I finally stood up for myself.Ironically, my training ended soon after “due to financial reasons.”I think I learned what I needed to learn.
When I was in Chiropractic College, my Residence Assistant was a black belt who gave classes to the students on campus for a fee.I told him my story and he invited me to check out a class.When I went the students were practicing with wooden swords, like the one you see and I asked how long they had been training.The reply was this was the first class he ever taught and they were getting right into it.Something didn’t seem right and I ultimately did not join the class.Part of me was discouraged.I always said I would train again if given the opportunity and here I was removing myself from the very thing I wanted.
Fast forward…After about three months into practice that little voice inside told me to attend an Avon Chamber of Commerce meeting.I had attended a few meetings all with unwelcoming outcomes.I really didn’t want to go and fought the urge to attend.In the end I went and thank God I did as I met Master Dominick Violante, the owner of the Avon Kempo and Aikido Academy.
Master Dominick told me he was looking for a Chiropractor and (although I didn’t know it at the time) I was looking for him.We hit it off instantly.It was obvious that he was a great teacher, person, and martial artist.He carried himself humbly even though he was at the time a seventh degree black belt.Now, Master Dominick is an eighth degree black belt in the Kempo system and holds a fourth degree black belt in Aikido.He is a member of one Martial Arts Hall of Fame and continues to be one of the humblest people I know.
Holding a black belt has always been a goal of mine.It is something that less than 10% of students ever achieve.An even smaller percentage of people ever begin to train in the martial arts.
In March of 2007, I attained my life long dream of testing for and receiving my black belt.Along the way I have learned skills of the Sai sword, clubs, knives, and since have begun working to learn the Katana.My skills are nowhere near complete.Master Dominick’s words at the end of my black belt test have rung true in my ears that “now that you have attained the rank of black belt, your training can begin.”
God has blessed my life in countless ways and guided me through the fulfillment of many goals.Hurting and healing are intertwined and the only difference is in the intention.I find that thanks to my Martial Arts training, I am a far better adjuster than I would have been without the skills learned thanks to Master Dominick, his instructors, and his school.
In fact, I can honestly say that I have learned more about the healing arts through the Martial Arts and my colleagues since my graduation than I did while in school.Although the black belt that hangs here in the office can never be taken away, we feel like a white belt in life.
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