Action-Packed Night at the Dojo: Sweat, Smiles, and Stripes!
- L Landry
- Nov 7, 2025
- 3 min read
Hey everyone! If you missed the energy radiating from the dojo last night, you missed out on some serious action, growth, and Kyokushin spirit!
The evening kicked off right at 6:00 PM with our ever-growing family class. Seriously, it’s awesome seeing new faces, both young and... well, less young, joining our karate family.
Family Fun: The Blue Stripe Challenge
Last night's family class was extra special because we had gradings! Rosalie and Pavlo were both up for their Blue Stripe. Now, don't let the name "family class" fool you into thinking it's easy, these kids and their parents work incredibly hard. The "family" part just means we teach a bit differently. We still nail the kihons (basics) and katas (forms), but we weave in fun playtime to keep those little karatekas focused and loving every minute.
After a killer warm-up and cardio session , it was time for the test. Shihan Ray evaluated Rosalie's and Pavlo's kata, putting them right to the test in front of everyone. As a bystander, I was genuinely surprised by their self-confidence and how sharp their movements already are. The future is looking incredibly bright for Kyokushin Kenbukai!
Then came the sparring. In our dojo, safety and respect are everything. The goal of sparring during a grading is to test your abilities and your spirit, not to get hurt. Rosalie and Pavlo both performed so well; they never backed down and showed pure heart. Osu!
Adult Grit: Sweat, Sprints, and Stripes
Next up was the adults class, and the intensity ramped up! We had more gradings: Mylène going for her first Orange Stripe, and Marc and André both testing for their Yellow Stripe.
Shihan Ray clearly “cooked up” an especially tough workout to start. He always stresses coming in early to warm up, and trust me, that workout was the reason why! We hit hard intervals: sprints, push-ups, burpees, jumping squats, and sit-ups, it was an hour long burner! Then we launched into katas, and I can tell you, everyone was winded by the end of those forms, which is exactly how it should be!
The final segment was the sparring. It was Mylène's first time sparring in a grading, and she was fantastic. She’s a seriously strong woman, and with her power, heart, and spirit, she has the potential to become a great fighter. We’re all excited to watch her development!
Then it was 15-year-old André's turn. Still early in his journey, André already shows a natural fighting ability, and his kicks are truly a sight to behold. This young man's future shines bright!
Last, but certainly not least, was Marc. This forty-something gentleman only joined us this last year, but he’s been an amazing addition to the dojo, humble, friendly, and carrying that unstoppable Kyokushin spirit. He showed serious grit!
A True Karate Family
Every single grading was a success! And it was done with the powerful support of the other karatekas, who were looking on and cheering. Because even though you're alone in that ring, you always have the unwavering support of your karate family.
Kyokushin Kenbukai is not an easy path; it demands commitment and a refusal to quit, especially when things get tough. At Centres Ray Cormier Kyokushin Kenbukai Dojo, a belt is never given, it is earned and hard-won after many hours of sweat, hard work, and dedicated learning.
A huge OSU! to Rosalie, Pavlo, Mylène, Marc, and André on earning their new stripes!
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