Crimson Tigers has the most fantastic karate instruction I have ever seen!...I can bet 1 million bucks that they can win against anyone!  They are nice, strong, humorous, fun to be around, and help us be confident in ourselves.  Although most people would like one instructor, I like ALL of them.  They may be different when it comes to training us learners, but it sure helps us either way.  EVEN THE PUSHUPS AREN'T THAT BAD NOW THAT I'M USED TO DOING THEM!...If anyone is reading this and needs a sport, they ought to come here and try it out, and what could be better than to have a free lesson to see what its like?...So, what are the Crimson Tigers?  The only Karate group that can kick serious butt any day!

Sean Browning, Yellow Belt, 12 years old

Karate influenced my life because I became stronger going to classes...I am the strongest person in my class at school.  When I play wrestling with my friends, I always win.  I lost a couple pounds because I go to karate classes...Karate taught me how to be brave.  Before karate, I used to be a little scared of the basement (not that scared!).  I can stand up for myself and speak for myself.   Karate taught me how to be more flexible and to be a faster runner.  In a track and field race, I used to come in last place, but now I come in the top ten out of thirty. 

Jelani Smith, Yellow Belt, 12 years old

I started attending karate 10 years ago when I was 43...I was hooked after my first class.  It was fun, challenging and just the type of activity a body entering middle age needed to keep working. 

Two years later, I was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in the right hip.  For those that know, it is nasty.  I continued to go to karate right up until I had a total hip replacement in Sept 2003.  This is where my real story starts My goal was to be back in karate class by Jan 2004, fake hip and all.  I had the motivation and discipline to exercise and train on my own so that I could be back doing what I love doing....and I did it (with the surgeon's OK). 

Well, in Feb 2004, after being back in karate for 3 weeks, I had a heart attack; blocked arteries.  After that, triple by-pass surgery.  My goal was to be back in karate class by June 2004.  Again, the discipline and motivation from my years of training gave me the tools I needed to recover from a life threatening illness. 

I was back in class in June 2004 (with the surgeon's OK).  Today at 53, I am in better shape than most people half my age and I am very much alive thanks to karate. 

Bill Boyd, Brown Belt, 53 years old

It all began one fateful summer day.  Mountain biking in Michigan.  I thought I was in shape.  I couldn't have been more wrong. 

I've been attending Crimson Tigers since 1997 at the suggestion of a friend who was looking for a new dojo.  I never thought that the martial arts would appeal to me.  Today, I rank in both kickboxing and karate.  While there is a sense of accomplishment in this, it's not what is really important.  

There is a community here offering support to everyone.  There is discipline and personal accomplishment.  For me, it isn't about belt rank.  It's about self-improvement.  Strength.  Health.  Confidence.  Pushing limits.  And finding a helpful community with whom to grow. 

I don't get colds the way I used to.  I don't tire as easily.  I have a sense of what and who surrounds me.  I am significantly stronger than I have ever been.  Stress levels have dropped dramatically. 

My daughter began classes last month. 

And I have never returned to Michigan to conquer the trails.  But then again, I no longer need to. 

Paul Thorn, Blue Belt

Karate has been a wonderful influence on me because I have learned a lot about my self-confidence.  Also, I have learned about an ancient art, so I feel pretty smart.  One of my greater fascinations is the physical activity.  I like this part because at school they don't have a very good phys-ed program.  The one thing I like most is the friends I have made at karate.  They are some of my best friends.  I'm happy we found Crimson Tigers and I'm happy I joined.  Thank you Crimson Tigers!

Emma Smith, Orange Belt, 12 years old

When I started karate I learned how to stand up for myself.  I also stand up for other kids when they get bullied...The instructors have changed me unpredictably.  I never knew how much there was to do in life.  I realized this when I went to karate.  One thing I will always remember is that we use karate to defend or protect, never ever use karate to offend or attack!

Abisek Sivaganesan, Orange Belt, 11 years old 

Shihan and sempai are very good teachers.  Katas are very fun.  My favourite kata is "Ticoco showdown". I like the running and jumping over the shinai exercise. 

Veronica Thorn, white belt 

Training in karate has been the primary source of my development as a teenager and as an adult.  I wouldn't be the person I am today, it it wasn't for my training with the school over the last 15 years of my life.  The most positive experience I've had of late is witnessing the sparring prowess of the blue/brown/black belts of our school when pitted against the black belts of another.  Our students more then held their own and nothing has made me prouder. 

Steve Tozer, 3rd Degree Black Belt

Karate is an excellent learning experience and I didn't know that I would benefit from it.  I was diagnosed with high cholesterol a year ago, and it has been hard for me to lower it.  At the beginning of this year I went for my physical and I was surprised to find out that my cholesterol was down to normal.  But not only that, it is fun and I learn many things from terminology to techniques. 

...At first it was a challenge to get up and perform our karats in front of the class, I got very nervous and still do, but I'm trying to relax more before I get up to do them.  It is a good feeling of accomplishment to learn katas, techniques, and combos for kickboxing. In conclusion, I find myself with more confidence, I am more physically active, and am eager to learn new things.  For my, karate stands for Knowledge, Ability, Respect, Accomplishment, Techniques, Educational.  I like all the instructors at the dojo:  Shihan Lee, Sensei Tozer, Sensei Watters, and Sensei Fabricius. 

Ana Maria Georghiou, White Belt w/ 2 stripes, 43 years old 

Karate has influenced my life because I'm not that scared of invaders now.  I can now learn Japanese and I can improve my footwork so I can do other sports. 

Michelle Indyarta, White Belt w/ 2 stripes, 11 years old 

What I like about karate is that it is very good exercise and very rewarding for the streets, clubs , and even in school.  It's very helpful if you are getting picked on to know you have the confidence to try and defend yourself. 

Kristopher Georghiou, Green Belt, 14 years old. 

In Soviet Mowat (my school), the Peter don't fear the jerk, the jerk fear the Peter!

Peter, White Belt w/ 1 stripe, 15 years old. 

I like karate because I meet a lot of people. and we can buy nunchucks and sparring equipment.  Also when Shihan and Sensei teach, they make up jokes and have games with a kicking pad, like Soccer-Dodge ball or relay games. I love karate!

Sabah and Naji Kalim, Yellow Belts, 8 1/2 and 10 years old

Karate changed my life. Before I started karate, I wasn't active enough, I would just play with my friends for a while and then I would go inside my room and watch TV or play my video games.  Karate changed my life because I have self-discipline; karate taught me self defense.  But they taught me not to use my strength for evil.  I would recommend that you give karate c a chance and maybe you will have fun like I do.  But most importantly, you'll learn self-discipline and not to fight with your powers because conflict becomes more conflict.

Tyler Pinson, Yellow Belt, 10 years old