I am 58 years old and being stiff and sluggish had become one of the symptoms I had just accepted in my life as to “Becoming Old”. My legs, arms, neck, just about every part of my body was wearing out and hurting, until I met Kyoshi and his wife Renshi Vicki. (WHAT A BLESSING!!) All of the doctors I went to, told me to stay active to fight the stiffness, to find something calming and invigorating to do. So I found ( Shotokan ) Karate, I know what you are thinking, ME…. I can’t do Karate!...... (Very intimidating), but once you start, it is wonderful! It is simple steps with combinations of blocks and kicks. You are not rushed to do anything you can’t do at your own speed. The atmosphere is very fellowship like and I love every one there, there are all ages and races a nice variety of people to get along with. All together different than I imagined, but don’t let me disillusion you because it is very hard work with a extremely satisfying reward…This is a discipline, that I have been searching for all of my life, it is self rewarding and gives you great confidence and a feeling of accomplishment. A lot more is taught in classes, but you will eventually find " yourself" in this art form, so the longer you stay the more you understand about yourself. It is certainly a lifelong experience for all who enter. I have been going for four years and am a better person for it, I can truly tell you this art form has completely changed my life (in a good direction) and I will stay with it till the good lord takes me. On top of losing a dress size, my blood pressure has lowered and my arthritis is tolerable, daily headaches have diminished, and I sleep through the night, those are just a few of the rewards I have received from taking these classes. The friendships are just a plus. So to my Kyoshi and my Renshi I am very grateful and honored to be a part of this fine establishment, and I thank you for all you do for your students and the community.
Student, Marsha Wallace
Teresa Brasher Hicks was twelve when she began taking karate at Blann’s Martial Arts; it was a birthday gift from her parents in January of 1984. Teresa studied karate until she for college at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. Once she graduated Teresa got married to Shaun Hicks who she met at karate class years earlier before college.
Teresa would be away from BMA for twenty years and while she was away she would be diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). After she returned and trained consistently for nine months Teresa had the following to say about how karate training at Blann’s Martial Arts has helped her. “I have thought about three things karate has helped me with this disease. 1) Balance and coordination-I can now balance on one foot with the other knee bent to the floor. A year ago, I didn't even have the balance and coordination to do that. 2) Weight loss, since I began, I have lost nine pounds and flattened my stomach. My arms and legs have toned up as well. 3) Decrease in involuntary muscle spasms and "twitches". I still have them, but not as frequently, or as painful. I will always have them; however, the degree of the severity has decreased.
My neurologist was reluctant to agree to let me begin practice again. He wanted me to do yoga or palates. I said no, that would bore me to no end. I then proceeded to explain that karate had the same aspects of palates or yoga. I informed him that karate has stretching exercises, breathing regimens, and disciplined forms, much like yoga. The "disciplined forms" was the best way I knew how to explain kata to him. He agreed.”
It has been my experience over the years that karate has been stereo typed as it’s all about fighting and many jokes made with silly “hai yas” and gestures. Because people are miss informed about the real benefits karate has to offer. They simple miss out on them. I have taught karate over 30 years and I have seen it (karate) help my students of all ages in many different ways and the least of all is fighting. I hope you will, like Teresa, give karate a chance to help you in whatever way you may need it.
I am 58 years old and being stiff and sluggish had become one of the symptoms I had just accepted in my life as to “Becoming Old”. My legs, arms, neck, just about every part of my body was wearing out and hurting, until I met Kyoshi and his wife Renshi Vicki. (WHAT A BLESSING!!) All of the doctors I went to, told me to stay active to fight the stiffness, to find something calming and invigorating to do. So I found ( Shotokan ) Karate, I know what you are thinking, ME…. I can’t do Karate!...... (Very intimidating), but once you start, it is wonderful! It is simple steps with combinations of blocks and kicks. You are not rushed to do anything you can’t do at your own speed. The atmosphere is very fellowship like and I love every one there, there are all ages and races a nice variety of people to get along with. All together different than I imagined, but don’t let me disillusion you because it is very hard work with a extremely satisfying reward…This is a discipline, that I have been searching for all of my life, it is self rewarding and gives you great confidence and a feeling of accomplishment. A lot more is taught in classes, but you will eventually find " yourself" in this art form, so the longer you stay the more you understand about yourself. It is certainly a lifelong experience for all who enter. I have been going for four years and am a better person for it, I can truly tell you this art form has completely changed my life (in a good direction) and I will stay with it till the good lord takes me. On top of losing a dress size, my blood pressure has lowered and my arthritis is tolerable, daily headaches have diminished, and I sleep through the night, those are just a few of the rewards I have received from taking these classes. The friendships are just a plus. So to my Kyoshi and my Renshi I am very grateful and honored to be a part of this fine establishment, and I thank you for all you do for your students and the community. 
Teresa Brasher Hicks was twelve when she began taking karate at Blann’s Martial Arts; it was a birthday gift from her parents in January of 1984. Teresa studied karate until she for college at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. Once she graduated Teresa got married to Shaun Hicks who she met at karate class years earlier before college.