Shihan Abdul Aziz (Senior Instructor)
Abdul Aziz Bio
MY NAME IS ABDUL AZIZ SHIHAN
I began my Martial arts training at the age of 8yrs old. Under my brother Yahkie Allah Sensei, in the system of positive effect martial arts. A combination of Shotokan karate, Taikwon Do, high in tensed conditioning, full contact sparring. The training was old school and rugged, Thousands of kihon (basics), and sparring in each class. My brother was the ultimate street fighter and highly respected on the street also in the Martial arts world. I knew that I would one day be the Martial artist that I am today. I have always been a person with vision and dreams. So I pushed myself and trained seriously to achieve success. My brother emphasized conditioning, basics, and full contact sparring and mental preparation, and breaking. When I first started training I couldn't handle the workouts; but winners never quit and quitters never win and I choose to be a winner. In the 60s there was no safety equipment. As I said sparring was full contact almost every thing went, elbow strikes, knee kicks, stomps, shin kicks, and knockouts. I learnt how to defend my self for real. I was introduced to Derrick Williams's shihan, in the mid 70s; we would train anywhere we could, twice a week. I would have private lessons from Williams's shihan, in parks project hallways, project roofs anywhere we could find that was quiet and deserted. Until I became a full member of his B.S.K.C. dojo. I was obsessed with the martial arts, I would practice four to five times a day, and I am training two to three times a day now. My main ambition is to continue to develop my karate and to improve. As mentioned earlier my training is what I enjoy the most. I became a consistent winner in tournaments, in weapons, forms, and fighting. While training at Derrick Williams's shihans dojo his instructor Grand Master Nathaniel McBride would teach two days out of the week. He taught jujitsu. His instructor is the world renowned Grand Master Moses Powel. Our school the Bronx Shotokan Karate Do Club would visit Grand Master Reno Morales dojo twice a month to train with Master Reno. Master Reno is Master Mc Bride's senior dojo brother. Master Reno shared valuable information on karate and life in general, he also taught me a kata called Mekiyo. On occasions our school would go to Master Pop Edwards and Shihan Cowboys School for training. Our school also went to may seminars given by great Grand Masters, like Grand Master Moses Powel, Grand Master Florendo Visitation, Grand Master Thomas Lapuppet, Grand Master Chaka Zulu, and Grand Master Ron Van Clief and many more. My Aikido training came from Master Abdul Hakim Bilal.I was in my teens about 18 or 19yrs and Master Bilal was there for me when the streets had me, he helped me to get on the straight path. My kobudo training came from Adriel Muniz shihan. He passed away at a young age, 33 years of age. He was very talented, he taught me my Bo kata, and we would also learn and practice empty hand kata together. He's greatly missed by me and all the students he left be hind. Adriel Munezs senior student, Juan Perez Shihan now runs the dojo Muniz Shihan left behind. He's doing a positive thing out in New Jersey; he's my dojo brother. I have been very blessed to have some of the best instructors in the world. I have also had Great Masters put me under their wing and shared & inspired me through my martial arts career. Such notables as Grand Master Thomas Lapuppet, Grand Master Fredrick J Hamilton, Grand Master Leon Wallace, Grand Master Moses Powel, Master Abdul Mutakerbir, Master Errol Bennett, Master Little John Davis, Master Sam McGee, Master Lamar Thornton, Master Nathan Apollo Ingram, Master George Crayton, Master Phil McCrae, Master Billy Blanks, Grand Master Ron Van Cliff, Grand Master Chaka Zulu, Master T. Miyazaki, Master H. Kanawaza, Master Kenneth Funakoshi, Master Joe Anon, Master Tommy May, Master Luis Morals, Shian Fire Fox, Abdul Moucsan shihan. All these people have contributed to my development in karate and have inspired me in many ways. Thank you sensei. I also trained under Master Luis Morals learning GoJu ryu from Luis Moralas Shihan. He's one of the top Latin GoJu instructors in the U.S.A. I also train with world champion Jadi Tention. Jadi is the most amazing fighter that I have seen since the likes of Steve Nasty Anderson, Billy Blanks, Mafia Holloway, Richard Plowden, and Pedro Xavior. Jadi is the top premier fighter on the circuit today. He has taken point fighting to a new level, you have to see it to understand it. There are other fighters that I have met and seen in action that have taken fighting to a higher level, like Jadi Tention, Raymond Daniels, Pedro Xavior, Jason Tankson Burley, Mike Pombeiro, Brain Ruth, Reggie Perry, Kevin Thompson, Jessie Wray, Preston Clements, Akin Williams, Carlos Tearney, Brain Plempel, Ryan Huntley, Bobby Harris, Freddie Lapan Jerry Fontanez, Gerald Dawson, Lawrence Wray, & Ross Levine And a few others who have impressed and inspired me at my age. I am still competing on the national circuit, (Naska & N.B, L). Also Traditional events, and I am still holding it down. I am the number one traditional weapons stylist in this region; I am also one of the top kata and senior fighting champions in this region. I stared competing in the mid 70s now its 2007 and I am still winning in three or more events per tournament HOLLA. Kevin Thompson (K.A), & me are the only competitors out there still winning in all three events since the 70s. In this region. K.A, started training and competing before me. Now our students are black belts and they have students and schools. It's beautiful to see our fruits grow. I am currently defending over 20 tournaments in the tri state my most memorable win was 1980, playboy club invitational. Hosted by Master Thomas Lapuppet & Master Alex Steinberg. And 1984 Rich Baptista New England Open. That's when tournaments were tournaments. My karate training never was meant for competition, it was for survival in the south Bronx. How ever, once I started competing there was no turning back. Unfortunately I have decided to retire from the circuit, this will be my last year of competition. To me the increasing emphasis on more commercial sport based presentations over orthodox karate, but this is my personal opinion. I feel the same as researcher, historian, and teacher Pat McCarthy. As he has stated in many articles, that he as well as my self have observed increasingly insular attitudes among tournament judges and referees, and athletes, which prevents truly fair competition from unfolding. In truth the issues the art seeks to eradicate plague the tournament scene from administration level down to the individual competitor. To me competition has become a façade, on the inside it represents everything its not. I have lost the positive feeling and rewarding benefits that I once knew in the competitive arena. I have realized that I have to move on to bigger and better things. I also have several serious injuries that have forced me to retire from fighting competitions. I have a radial nerve injury to my right arm and hand; I also have a blood clot on the right side of my brain. I am 50 years young I must preserve my health, & my health and my life means more than a title so sparring in tournaa lot from the Martial arts. However, at this point in my life what is most important to me is saving the children by, training and teaching karate. I might not be able to save everybody but I can die trying. Karate is my job, my work, my talent that God blessed me with. I am always teaching, at least three to four classes a day Monday thru Friday, on Saturday I teach a four-hour class. Tuesday and Thursday night I teach karate at the St Nicholas Community Center for the H.C.Z INC from 630pm to 9pm, Sundays I am resting or traveling to a tournaments or demonstrations or seminars. So I always need to improve. If I stop training then not only does my technique become poor but the way I teach be comes poor as well. My technique must always improve both mentally and physically. If the instructor improves, then the student improves. So I must always improve every part of my karate, not just one area, all parts of karate are important. I have over 500 students that have trained at TRUCE Fitness & Nutrition Center. I have 100 students enrolled at my dojo now; I have trained over 2000 Karataka. I am a 6th degree black belt in five Martial arts systems; I have a lot to pass on and a lot to learn. Many organizations and instructors have asked me why I haven't been promoted to a higher Dan? I simply say to them that Dan grading is not just about technical ability. As a student becomes higher, Dan grading is honorable. 8th, 9th, 10th Dan is an honorary degree and you must be at least 65yrs of age. It is not awarded because of technical ability. Koshiki is an official ceremony that says you have been teaching Karate for a long time. There are a lot of modern teachers wrongly accepting high rank in martial arts. Many Martial Artist that I know that aren't 50 years old yet posses 8th, 9tth, and tenth Dan ranks, I have always spoken my mind and I tell it like it is. So I hope that I haven't offended anyone possessing rank above 5th and 6th degree. Near the end of 1999 November 23, 1999 to be exact, I suffered a life threatening stroke. Doctors not sure of my recovery ments is out. I have accomplished, were amazed by my spirit and recovery rate. Thanks to God, Karate and family, I have had a recovery that continues to progress. Throngs of well-wishers flocked to the hospital everyday to visit and give me support. I felt the love and concern of each visitor, which gave me strength. My wife at that time took such good care of me that I want to thank her again. Thank you Loretta Miranda. I not only have recovered, but I have returned back to active competition. I'm holding it down, winning on the national circuit and the traditional circuit, against the top competitors in the country. In 1999 I had the opportunity to perform in Wesley Snipes salute to the master's of the Martial arts that aired on Turner network television (T.N.T). I was also selected as the New Yorker of the week on New York One News. From those two T.V appearances I have realized my love and dream is to do films. Thanks to Mahaliel, Beathea, a.k.a Sensei Mo, Sun People productions and Hit'em Hard productions. I have been selected to be in an up coming movie titled Empty Hands.Shihan Mo also has a book entitled Street self Defense, Shihan Mo has put together a collator for us. In this book he honors his closest companions in the Martial arts world Grand Masters and Masters from the east cost, I am honored in this book. I am grateful to all those who have contributed to my life. Remember the skill of any able teacher lies not necessarily in the transfer of information, but rather in awaking the mind of the learner. I have a gift a humble one that I have labored greatly to develop and refine as a force for good. My dream is to inspire others particularly young people, so that we may all work not just to better ourselves, but also to better our world. When you look at life, think in terms of Karate, but remember that Karate is not only Karate, it is life. Gichin funakoshi. I am presently teaching Karate do in Harlem USA, at TRUCE Fitness and Nutrition Center. A program of. HARLEM CHILDRENS ZONE Inc. For further comments contact me at (212) 864-7159 (Dojo) Fax (212) 864-7608.
Abdul Aziz Sensei
The servervant of Allah
Karate Ni sente Nashi
(There is no first attack in Karate)
Your brother in Martial Arts OSH
I began my Martial arts training at the age of 8yrs old. Under my brother Yahkie Allah Sensei, in the system of positive effect martial arts. A combination of Shotokan karate, Taikwon Do, high in tensed conditioning, full contact sparring. The training was old school and rugged, Thousands of kihon (basics), and sparring in each class. My brother was the ultimate street fighter and highly respected on the street also in the Martial arts world. I knew that I would one day be the Martial artist that I am today. I have always been a person with vision and dreams. So I pushed myself and trained seriously to achieve success. My brother emphasized conditioning, basics, and full contact sparring and mental preparation, and breaking. When I first started training I couldn't handle the workouts; but winners never quit and quitters never win and I choose to be a winner. In the 60s there was no safety equipment. As I said sparring was full contact almost every thing went, elbow strikes, knee kicks, stomps, shin kicks, and knockouts. I learnt how to defend my self for real. I was introduced to Derrick Williams's shihan, in the mid 70s; we would train anywhere we could, twice a week. I would have private lessons from Williams's shihan, in parks project hallways, project roofs anywhere we could find that was quiet and deserted. Until I became a full member of his B.S.K.C. dojo. I was obsessed with the martial arts, I would practice four to five times a day, and I am training two to three times a day now. My main ambition is to continue to develop my karate and to improve. As mentioned earlier my training is what I enjoy the most. I became a consistent winner in tournaments, in weapons, forms, and fighting. While training at Derrick Williams's shihans dojo his instructor Grand Master Nathaniel McBride would teach two days out of the week. He taught jujitsu. His instructor is the world renowned Grand Master Moses Powel. Our school the Bronx Shotokan Karate Do Club would visit Grand Master Reno Morales dojo twice a month to train with Master Reno. Master Reno is Master Mc Bride's senior dojo brother. Master Reno shared valuable information on karate and life in general, he also taught me a kata called Mekiyo. On occasions our school would go to Master Pop Edwards and Shihan Cowboys School for training. Our school also went to may seminars given by great Grand Masters, like Grand Master Moses Powel, Grand Master Florendo Visitation, Grand Master Thomas Lapuppet, Grand Master Chaka Zulu, and Grand Master Ron Van Clief and many more. My Aikido training came from Master Abdul Hakim Bilal.I was in my teens about 18 or 19yrs and Master Bilal was there for me when the streets had me, he helped me to get on the straight path. My kobudo training came from Adriel Muniz shihan. He passed away at a young age, 33 years of age. He was very talented, he taught me my Bo kata, and we would also learn and practice empty hand kata together. He's greatly missed by me and all the students he left be hind. Adriel Munezs senior student, Juan Perez Shihan now runs the dojo Muniz Shihan left behind. He's doing a positive thing out in New Jersey; he's my dojo brother. I have been very blessed to have some of the best instructors in the world. I have also had Great Masters put me under their wing and shared & inspired me through my martial arts career. Such notables as Grand Master Thomas Lapuppet, Grand Master Fredrick J Hamilton, Grand Master Leon Wallace, Grand Master Moses Powel, Master Abdul Mutakerbir, Master Errol Bennett, Master Little John Davis, Master Sam McGee, Master Lamar Thornton, Master Nathan Apollo Ingram, Master George Crayton, Master Phil McCrae, Master Billy Blanks, Grand Master Ron Van Cliff, Grand Master Chaka Zulu, Master T. Miyazaki, Master H. Kanawaza, Master Kenneth Funakoshi, Master Joe Anon, Master Tommy May, Master Luis Morals, Shian Fire Fox, Abdul Moucsan shihan. All these people have contributed to my development in karate and have inspired me in many ways. Thank you sensei. I also trained under Master Luis Morals learning GoJu ryu from Luis Moralas Shihan. He's one of the top Latin GoJu instructors in the U.S.A. I also train with world champion Jadi Tention. Jadi is the most amazing fighter that I have seen since the likes of Steve Nasty Anderson, Billy Blanks, Mafia Holloway, Richard Plowden, and Pedro Xavior. Jadi is the top premier fighter on the circuit today. He has taken point fighting to a new level, you have to see it to understand it. There are other fighters that I have met and seen in action that have taken fighting to a higher level, like Jadi Tention, Raymond Daniels, Pedro Xavior, Jason Tankson Burley, Mike Pombeiro, Brain Ruth, Reggie Perry, Kevin Thompson, Jessie Wray, Preston Clements, Akin Williams, Carlos Tearney, Brain Plempel, Ryan Huntley, Bobby Harris, Freddie Lapan Jerry Fontanez, Gerald Dawson, Lawrence Wray, & Ross Levine And a few others who have impressed and inspired me at my age. I am still competing on the national circuit, (Naska & N.B, L). Also Traditional events, and I am still holding it down. I am the number one traditional weapons stylist in this region; I am also one of the top kata and senior fighting champions in this region. I stared competing in the mid 70s now its 2007 and I am still winning in three or more events per tournament HOLLA. Kevin Thompson (K.A), & me are the only competitors out there still winning in all three events since the 70s. In this region. K.A, started training and competing before me. Now our students are black belts and they have students and schools. It's beautiful to see our fruits grow. I am currently defending over 20 tournaments in the tri state my most memorable win was 1980, playboy club invitational. Hosted by Master Thomas Lapuppet & Master Alex Steinberg. And 1984 Rich Baptista New England Open. That's when tournaments were tournaments. My karate training never was meant for competition, it was for survival in the south Bronx. How ever, once I started competing there was no turning back. Unfortunately I have decided to retire from the circuit, this will be my last year of competition. To me the increasing emphasis on more commercial sport based presentations over orthodox karate, but this is my personal opinion. I feel the same as researcher, historian, and teacher Pat McCarthy. As he has stated in many articles, that he as well as my self have observed increasingly insular attitudes among tournament judges and referees, and athletes, which prevents truly fair competition from unfolding. In truth the issues the art seeks to eradicate plague the tournament scene from administration level down to the individual competitor. To me competition has become a façade, on the inside it represents everything its not. I have lost the positive feeling and rewarding benefits that I once knew in the competitive arena. I have realized that I have to move on to bigger and better things. I also have several serious injuries that have forced me to retire from fighting competitions. I have a radial nerve injury to my right arm and hand; I also have a blood clot on the right side of my brain. I am 50 years young I must preserve my health, & my health and my life means more than a title so sparring in tournaa lot from the Martial arts. However, at this point in my life what is most important to me is saving the children by, training and teaching karate. I might not be able to save everybody but I can die trying. Karate is my job, my work, my talent that God blessed me with. I am always teaching, at least three to four classes a day Monday thru Friday, on Saturday I teach a four-hour class. Tuesday and Thursday night I teach karate at the St Nicholas Community Center for the H.C.Z INC from 630pm to 9pm, Sundays I am resting or traveling to a tournaments or demonstrations or seminars. So I always need to improve. If I stop training then not only does my technique become poor but the way I teach be comes poor as well. My technique must always improve both mentally and physically. If the instructor improves, then the student improves. So I must always improve every part of my karate, not just one area, all parts of karate are important. I have over 500 students that have trained at TRUCE Fitness & Nutrition Center. I have 100 students enrolled at my dojo now; I have trained over 2000 Karataka. I am a 6th degree black belt in five Martial arts systems; I have a lot to pass on and a lot to learn. Many organizations and instructors have asked me why I haven't been promoted to a higher Dan? I simply say to them that Dan grading is not just about technical ability. As a student becomes higher, Dan grading is honorable. 8th, 9th, 10th Dan is an honorary degree and you must be at least 65yrs of age. It is not awarded because of technical ability. Koshiki is an official ceremony that says you have been teaching Karate for a long time. There are a lot of modern teachers wrongly accepting high rank in martial arts. Many Martial Artist that I know that aren't 50 years old yet posses 8th, 9tth, and tenth Dan ranks, I have always spoken my mind and I tell it like it is. So I hope that I haven't offended anyone possessing rank above 5th and 6th degree. Near the end of 1999 November 23, 1999 to be exact, I suffered a life threatening stroke. Doctors not sure of my recovery ments is out. I have accomplished, were amazed by my spirit and recovery rate. Thanks to God, Karate and family, I have had a recovery that continues to progress. Throngs of well-wishers flocked to the hospital everyday to visit and give me support. I felt the love and concern of each visitor, which gave me strength. My wife at that time took such good care of me that I want to thank her again. Thank you Loretta Miranda. I not only have recovered, but I have returned back to active competition. I'm holding it down, winning on the national circuit and the traditional circuit, against the top competitors in the country. In 1999 I had the opportunity to perform in Wesley Snipes salute to the master's of the Martial arts that aired on Turner network television (T.N.T). I was also selected as the New Yorker of the week on New York One News. From those two T.V appearances I have realized my love and dream is to do films. Thanks to Mahaliel, Beathea, a.k.a Sensei Mo, Sun People productions and Hit'em Hard productions. I have been selected to be in an up coming movie titled Empty Hands.Shihan Mo also has a book entitled Street self Defense, Shihan Mo has put together a collator for us. In this book he honors his closest companions in the Martial arts world Grand Masters and Masters from the east cost, I am honored in this book. I am grateful to all those who have contributed to my life. Remember the skill of any able teacher lies not necessarily in the transfer of information, but rather in awaking the mind of the learner. I have a gift a humble one that I have labored greatly to develop and refine as a force for good. My dream is to inspire others particularly young people, so that we may all work not just to better ourselves, but also to better our world. When you look at life, think in terms of Karate, but remember that Karate is not only Karate, it is life. Gichin funakoshi. I am presently teaching Karate do in Harlem USA, at TRUCE Fitness and Nutrition Center. A program of. HARLEM CHILDRENS ZONE Inc. For further comments contact me at (212) 864-7159 (Dojo) Fax (212) 864-7608.
Abdul Aziz Sensei
The servervant of Allah
Karate Ni sente Nashi
(There is no first attack in Karate)
Your brother in Martial Arts OSH
Abdul Aziz Past Present Future
Abdul Aziz, Formally known as, Kendu Allah
DATE OF BIRTRH: 2/21/1957. ....
AGE: 51
YEAR STARTED IN MARTIAL ARTS - 1965
INSTRUCTORS: Yahkie Allah, Sensei. Derrick Williams Shihan,
Grand Master Nathaniel Mc Bride
Grand-Master Reno Moralas
Master Abdul Hakim Bilal
Adriel Muniz Sihan
SYSTEMS OF MARTIAL ARTS; Shotokan, Jujitsu; Akido, Okinawa Kobudo, (weapons).
Positive - Effect Martial Arts
Favorite Katas ; Enpi, Kanku Sho, Goju Shiho Dai.
FAVORITE FIGHTING TECHNIQUE: Sidekick, Ridge hand, Reverse Punch, and, fighting spirit.
FAVORITE FIGHTING PERSON PAST AND PERSENT
Past: Tanaka Sensei, Billy Blanks, Pedro Xavior. Kevin Thompson (KA),
Present: Jadi Tention, Raymond Daniels. Jason Tankson Burley
....
FAVORITE MALE KATA PERSON PAST AND PRESENT: Master H. Kanazawa, Master T. Miyazaki, Jon Valera. Kevin Thompson.
Present: Li Pei Yun, Masao Kawasoe Shihan, Steve Terada; Marcel Jones, Jason Tankson Burley, Kevin Thompson,
....
FAVORITE FEMALE KATA, PAST AND PRESENT:
Past: Kathy Baxter, Divine Aisa Earth, Cynthia Rothrock, Christine Bannon Rodriguez
Present: Mendy Telly, Casey Marks, (weapons), Stefanie Flowers, Al Szaranski; Gemma Nguyen.
....
FAVORITE FIGHTING FEMALE PAST & PRESENT: Linda Denley, Arlene Limas, Divine Aisa Earth, Cookie Malendez.
Present: Nikki Carlson Lee, Deshawn Bey, Regena Thompson, Peaches. Price Sisters
....
BEST PART OF CLASS; Kihon (Basics); & Conditioning.
....
WORST PART OF CLASS; when it ends.
An Artist of the Martial Kind, Teaching Peace
By ROBIN FINN Published: May 12, 2010
Abdul Aziz, a martial arts practitioner for 45 years and a karate sensei for 25, likens his hands to two protective, potentially deadly weapons. Mr. Aziz, 53, who grew up in Claremont Village in the South Bronx, began practicing at age 8. For the last decade he has taught karate to children at the Harlem Children’s Zone’s Truce Nutrition and Fitness Center. (“Truce” stands for The Renaissance University for Community Education.) He also teaches for the New York City Housing Authority. He lives in the Bronx.
Abdul Aziz, a martial arts practitioner for 45 years and a karate sensei for 25, likens his hands to two protective, potentially deadly weapons. Mr. Aziz, 53, who grew up in Claremont Village in the South Bronx, began practicing at age 8. For the last decade he has taught karate to children at the Harlem Children’s Zone’s Truce Nutrition and Fitness Center. (“Truce” stands for The Renaissance University for Community Education.) He also teaches for the New York City Housing Authority. He lives in the Bronx.
The no-frills karate kid: I was this Chihuahua type of kid, a big mouth with a little body and a fighter’s attitude. Thank God I got into martial arts, because all my energies was negative; I wasn’t a bully, but I did fight a lot. It was a tough, gang-riddled neighborhood; for a time, I was in the Black Spades.
Brother as teacher: My older brother, Yahkie Allah Sensei, was the ultimate street fighter. I learned my first karate from him. By 16, I was teaching in my own dojo in the perambulator room at the projects, you know, where the baby strollers and bicycles were kept. They let us use it for classes. Karate masters who mattered most: Besides my brother, it was Derrick Williams: in 1978 he took me to my first tournament and helped me to visualize winning. Of course there was Grand Master Reno Morales, and Grand Master Nathaniel McBride. And Abdul Hakim Bilal. He gave me my aikido training and got me off the streets and into competitions in my teens when I was on the wrong path. Now I’m a sixth-degree black belt in five different martial arts systems. | Do no harm: I hit somebody on the street, I go to jail in five seconds.
Setbacks: My worst injuries are a compressed radial nerve that paralyzed my hand for a year; a stroke in 1999; another stroke in 2006 that left me with blood vessel damage in my head, so I had to quit fighting in 2007. Sensei of many names: My born name is Charles E. Williams Jr. I changed it to Kendu Allah when I was 12 and thought I was God. I was a Muslim, but not a true Muslim. My father was on his deathbed when my youngest son was born 21 years ago, and he begged me to call him Charles E. Williams III, so I did. No, my son hasn’t changed his name! I have five biological children and four steps. I’ve been divorced twice. In 1993, I went to a service at the mosque, and it was like the imam was speaking to me, like God sent me a message through him; that’s when I changed my name to Abdul Aziz and became a full-fledged Muslim. Only Allah is Allah. Dojo etiquette: Anybody can teach someone how to kick and punch someone else in the face. I call what I do positive effect training. My biggest thrill is that over 300 of my students went on to college after they left me. None of the males in my class can wear their pants hanging off their butt: I am like an Olympic coach about that. No negativity. No bitterness. Sure, my kids are dangerous: I’ve got little 8-year-old girls in my class who could knock a grown man out. And good for them; it keeps them safe on the streets. But karate also teaches character. Karate is the art of fighting without actually fighting. Or starting the fight. Karate ni sente nashi: there is no first attack in karate. |
Suzanne DeChillo/The New York Times
Amir Aziz
Assistant Instructor at the Harlem Chidren's Zone TRUCE Fitness Center Dojo
About Amir : When" man" has to confront the consequences of "his" actions, "he" wishes "he" had never committed them. But this repentance is often not serious enough to stop "him" from again falling in for temptations and desires.
I've been Living in the Bronx half my life, but i was born and raised in Harlem until the age of 4 or 5. Ever since then I've been living in this rough neighborhood and what i've experienced growing up with my mom, 3 bros, and sis is what the vast majority go through growing as a youth in the ghetto. I couldnt keep at it for too long. I managed to remain in school and because of that, despite all odds against me, today i'm attending city college here in NY. I truly believe that Allah has saved me and been with me ever since. Just didnt realize it until now. I have a Great and Fantastic Relationship with my dad and ever since he came into my life i've excelled in the Martial Arts world with staggering results. So its three of these goals i'm working toward to and they are: Graduating College, Move my family to a more Peaceful community, and become a great Muslim.
About Amir : When" man" has to confront the consequences of "his" actions, "he" wishes "he" had never committed them. But this repentance is often not serious enough to stop "him" from again falling in for temptations and desires.
I've been Living in the Bronx half my life, but i was born and raised in Harlem until the age of 4 or 5. Ever since then I've been living in this rough neighborhood and what i've experienced growing up with my mom, 3 bros, and sis is what the vast majority go through growing as a youth in the ghetto. I couldnt keep at it for too long. I managed to remain in school and because of that, despite all odds against me, today i'm attending city college here in NY. I truly believe that Allah has saved me and been with me ever since. Just didnt realize it until now. I have a Great and Fantastic Relationship with my dad and ever since he came into my life i've excelled in the Martial Arts world with staggering results. So its three of these goals i'm working toward to and they are: Graduating College, Move my family to a more Peaceful community, and become a great Muslim.