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Carol See Tai
Founder of Shotokan Karate Center

Karate since: 1972

Origin and residence: Trinidad, Florida

Rank: Nana Dan

Dojo: Shotokan Karate Center Coral Springs JKA

 

Additional information (member of a national team, coach, board member of a Dojo, highest achievements, etc.):  

South Atlantic Karate Association

Women’s team member from 1981 thru 1991,

National collegiate 2nd place 1981 Sioux Falls, SD

National Collegiate champion 1982 Denver, Co

Women’s team kata 1st place 1983 Santa Monica, Ca

Women’s team kata 3rd place 1985

Chief Instructor and board member of the late Master Takashina’s dojo in Coral Springs, Florida.

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What was the reason that you started Shotokan Karate?

When I was 12 years old, I was enrolled in Ballet classes. My brother Larry went to the Trinidad Karate Association (Sensei David Chin Leung) to start taking karate lessons. After his first session, he said, “You should come with me to take karate classes; you would like it.” That was the beginning of my martial arts training in Shotokan Karate

What do you like about Shotokan Karate?

I love Shotokan karate because it is a traditional martial art. It dates as far back as Master Funakoshi in 1922 when he brought Shotokan karate from Okinawa to Japan and this day, it is being taught and practiced throughout the world as a standardized martial art. It is like both education and philosophy, in that we are all teaching, learning and practicing the same techniques  and developing  the principles of Budo and the perfection of oneself

Is there something you do not like? What is it?

In every organization, there is a struggle for power, which distorts or disrupts the pursuit of the true objective. Politics destroys the ability to see the true martial art objective, which is the discipline of Mind, Body, and Spirit through the Way of life, the Budo.​ The ultimate goal of consistent training is not solely to develop physical prowess but rather to seek and encourage spiritual and psychological fulfillment through exercise.​ Everything in life needs balance. If you are too heavily invested in a sector of your life, you will become unbalanced. When you lose balance, you also lose focus, understanding, judgment, and even movement. Japanese karate as handed down from generation to generation at Shotokan Karate Center Coral Springs JKA fosters balance in life and establishes a foundation upon which physical and emotional maturity can develop

What has been your greatest and your worst experience so far related to Shotokan Karate?

My greatest experience was when I enrolled at the University of Miami and I realized that the karate instructor was Sensei Shigeru Takashina. This was a continuous great experience for 37 great years. (Four years at college and the rest at the South Atlantic Karate Association Headquarters dojo.)
I can’t use the word “worst," However I can say that my “saddest” experience was the passing of Master Takashina, my Sensei, in September 2013.  This has led me to understand what he meant when he told me “don’t get involved in politics".   I then experienced a rough political path in trying to continue the legacy of my Sensei. The details I would rather put behind me. However I have to mention that I am grateful to some very important people who stepped forward during that time and continue to do so,  to contribute their time and effort to get  Master Takashina ‘s dojo and legacy to where it is today, eleven years after his passing

What do you do when the training becomes challenging? Where do you get motivation from?

Training is always challenging.  Sometimes it's the perfection of the techniques, and sometimes it's   my life outside of the dojo that's challenging my training. Somehow I am able to find the perfect balance, because without it, I can't find Harmony. I believe that a truly good instructor motivates his/her students. My Sensei, along with my classmates and my family members have also helped to motivate and encourage me in the past. 
Now that I am the chief instructor, it’s the students that motivate me and that has led me to another aspect of my karate training.

How has Shotokan Karate changed you as a person?

Shotokan karate has taught me a lot about respect. The ranks and the ranking system teaches me  to respect everyone in the dojo and that carries through to my daily life.
The discipline learnt through the traditional training teaches me to be humble.
It has helped me to develop a strong character while maintaining humility and respect for others.
As we say, mind, body and spirit

How has Shotokan Karate influenced your life? Has it helped you overcome or deal with difficult situations in your life? Is it helping you on a daily basis with the challenges of life?

I have been training practically my whole life, and I have gone through some difficult times not related to karate. During these times, I used my karate training to push myself through and find the strength to deal with my controversies. 
It’s that warrior in you that keeps you  going. The more that you train and the more that you push yourself, the stronger your character becomes

How has your Shotokan Karate changed over time?

There are many technical aspects of Shotokan karate that have evolved, especially over the last several years and I find that as I continue to train,  I have to adapt and relearn certain basic movements. Scientifically, the moves have evolved to become more effective.

What are your personal Shotokan Karate short- and long-term goals?

For myself I want to keep training to improve all aspects of my karate and become an excellent instructor. My overall goal is to preserve and continue Master Takashina’s legacy

How should Shotokan Karate evolve in the future?

It would be awesome to see all the Shotokan groups in the USA come together, putting aside the politics and focusing on learning  and sharing the  knowledge of the Shotokan way.
As karateka, not to focus as much on the competition and winning, but to concentrate on the development of budo

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