Fowler PE students learn karate from an expert




'Let's talk about the importance of behavior,' he told the students sitting on the gym floor. 'Karate is about feeling good about yourself, being strong and self-confident. In life, you get to make choices.'


'You will face these choices,' he said. 'Some kids will drive too fast. If they drive too fast and kill a kid, will they go to prison? They made a choice. People with no confidence make bad choices.'

Then it was time to switch to karate moves.

Ellis had everyone stand up and go through a series of neck twists and then wiggling their shoulders, hips and knees. After loosening up, the kids thrust out arms, legs and fists at Ellis' commands before trying a really hard move - squatting with their hands on their hips while kicking out one leg at a time.


'All the kids thought they would be able to beat up their brothers and sisters when they heard they were going to learn karate,' said PE teacher John Adams. 'Bob quickly explained the philosophy - it's not aggressive, it's not offensive, it's defensive.'


'I try to give the kids an introduction and teach them about safety,' he said. 'The key is giving kids self-esteem and teaching them self-confidence and self-discipline. It's important for kids to develop a love for exercise.

'Karate is about building character, acquiring physical fitness and learning self-defense.'




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