[KF25] Member Interview: aurik

[Patrick]

For our 25th birthday celebration, we're publishing an interview series with members from our community. 

Member Profile

@aurik (View Profile)

KarateForums.com Sempai

Joined: November 8, 2016

Posts: 709

KarateForums.com Awards: Member of the Year (2022), Funniest Member of the Year (2023), and Karate Contributor of the Year (2023, 2022)

Interview

Where are you from?

Erie, Colorado (just north of Denver).

Why did you get started in the martial arts?

The original Karate Kid movie sparked my interest. And then when I was in high school, a friend had been training in karate and Aiki-jujutsu. I checked it out. It looked like a lot of fun, so I signed up.

Why have you continued to practice them?

Now that I'm a few years older, I continue to practice because they help keep my body moving the way it should. I also have met quite a few friends at the dojo. And I want to continue to be an example to my son.

Please briefly describe the styles of martial arts that you have taken.

Juko-Ryu Shorinji Kempo, Juko-Ryu Aiki-jujutsu, Shuri-Ryu Karate, Judo, Uechi-Ryu Karate, and Matayoshi Kobudo.

What is your grade or level? 

Uechi-Ryu Nidan (I will be testing for Sandan before this is published). I just earned my Yonkyu in Matayoshi Kobudo

Do you teach?

Yes. I am currently training for (and will be testing for, prior to this being published) my Shihan-Dai (apprentice instructor) license.

What are your first memories from training? 

I remember one time when I was 17 or 18 and a cocky kid asked my 5th degree instructor to spar with me. He looked at me and called me out.  Another time, we were hosting our soke for a seminar. He asked me to be his uke (demonstration partner) for a demonstration - I felt like my feet were going to hit the ceiling from some of those throws!

What has been the highlight of your training?

There are many of them. Passing my Shodan test in Uechi-Ryu was a big one. Watching my son earn his Shodan-sho (junior first degree) was another one.

What do you do when you're not training?

Work, spend time with family, video games (I just started back on Diablo 2), blacksmithing/bladesmithing, traveling (we're heading to do some off-roading near Badlands National Park over Memorial Day).

What do you do for a living?

I'm a software engineer for a large company.

Who are or were your martial arts heroes?

Two of my instructors - my current instructor (Richard Bennett) and one of my past instructors (Joe Walker). I look up to them because they continue to train and teach and evolve their karate every day. Richard makes a point to visit other senior instructors a couple times a year to refine his karate and "cross-pollinate" with other senior Uechi-Ryu instructors.  

What are your favorite martial arts films and/or shows?

Oh, there are too many to list. Bloodsport, Hard to Kill, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero, Cobra Kai (and the rest of the Karate Kid series).

Where do you see yourself going in your martial arts journey in the next few years?

I hope to remain injury-free and continue training regularly. My next two goals are to earn my Sandan in Uechi-Ryu [editor's note: Sandan earned] and Shodan in Matayoshi Kobudo. I would also like to take my son to Okinawa over spring break before he graduates high school.

Do you remember how you found KarateForums.com? Why did you join? 

I remember Googling around and found it when I was just getting started back into the martial arts. There was a lot of good information on here so I signed up.

Why did you stay?

The sense of community; the sense of mutual respect and camaraderie. I appreciate how when one of us shares the highs or lows on here others will join in to support and/or congratulate them.

You've been a member since November 8, 2016. During this time, how has KarateForums.com changed in your eyes, if at all?

I think over the years the quantity of material shared on here has gone down somewhat. However, the quality of those contributions continues to excel.

How did becoming a staff member change how you viewed the site?

It pulled back the curtain somewhat and let me see how some of the decisions were made. It also made me feel more responsible for keeping up the high standards here.

How, if at all, have you used KarateForums.com in your classes or training?

Every so often I'll come across a particularly insightful post about the meaning or interpretation of a technique that will sometimes make me re-evaluate it. It may not necessarily result in a huge change to how I do something, but it helps me reinterpret the meaning behind that technique and possibly present new ways of applying it.

Are there any members here who have had a particular influence or impact on you?

I've found Noah (@Wastelander) and Bob (@sensei8) to have particularly insightful information. However, the number of members who have positively influenced me is far too many to list in a single post.

Can you share a memorable moment within the community where you received great advice or an experience that really affected you and your martial arts journey?

I don't have any one specific moment.  However, the members here have been a continuous source of encouragement, feedback, and information over the years.

Edited 12 hours ago by Patrick

[Patrick]

Thank you for sharing, Ken, and for all of the contributions that you have made here, both as a member and staff member. Congrats again on making Sandan!