What People are Saying About Our Swat Classes

Fariborz rocks! He taught my son Sebastian who later went on to become an awesome Varsity Sabre fencer for the YALE FENCING team. The skills he learned in martial arts made him an even better fencer. Martial arts should be on everyone"s list for personal growth of mind, body, spirit...Shout out for good health and happiness to all the generous teachers who spend their time and dedication with our children...

My daughter and I have been students at TKC since beginning of 2006. We both tested for and received our 1st degree black belts in September of 2009. As I progressed in ranks from white belt to black, I would always imagine what it would be like to assist or even teach some classes myself, once I had high enough ranking. Then I found out about the SWAT program, which I thought was just a basic training for students interested in assisting and teaching. I knew that signing up for the SWAT program meant committing for 12 weeks of classes on Saturdays and putting extra hours at the studio with assisting some of the classes. So, I was always hesitant to sign up because of my familys hectic weekends. Finally, January of 2011 seemed like a good opportunity to enlist in the program since my family had no set plans for the next few months. My daughter, Nicolette, also was interested and very eager to join. SWAT proved to be much more than I had thought. I have to admit that the main reason for wanting to sign up for SWAT was my belief that the program would help me get over my fear and anxiety of public speaking and teach me to exude more self-confidence and control when confronted with a group of people. I wanted to gain these abilities not only for my personal life but also to help me with advancing my professional career. I believed SWAT would be a great program to test myself because I would see some of the SWAT graduates at the studio on a daily basis. Some of these graduates had started at TKC around the same time I had, and they were team mates for the 1st degree black belt. I saw how the program had transformed these students (some teen-agers) into more confident, responsible, and respectful individuals and overall better persons. I am almost finished with the program and will be taking the final test soon.

I have to admit that I never thought that the program would encompass so much that, on the surface, has very little to do with teaching martial arts and a great deal to do with improving oneself as an individual and as a productive and positive member of the society. The many lessons taught in the program, if applied and practiced regularly, teach not only self-confidence, public presentation, and how to run a great martial arts class, but higher qualities of patience, understanding, compassion, respect, time-management, and how to WIN. I am extremely happy to have the opportunity to go through the program, and even happier that my 11-year-old daughter got the chance to do it as well. I am certain that whatever we take away from this class, no matter how small, we will be better for it.

I don't pretend to be an expert on Karate clubs, but I do consider myself pretty knowledgable about kids and coaching (swim coach for many years). Your program, school, instructors, staff and facility are top notch. I never hesitate to recommend and promote your studio. We feel very blessed to be part of your family.

Dear Mr. Fariborz,

Wow, where has time gone?!? I miss you so much. Reading your e-mail brought back so many great memories. As you've heard, I'm pursuing my dream of becoming a physician at Johns Hopkins. Moving away from home has given me the opportunity to really reflect on everything that I have done in life. It pushes me to analyze my decisions--for better of for worse. Over the past 5 years, I have felt like something has been missing in my heart. Hearing from you, as I live across the country with no family here, made me realize how I have allowed my pursuit of excellence interfere with the most important things in life--the little things!

Do you remember an e-mail I sent you when I started my undergraduate years at UCLA? I wrote to you about my first major medical experience. The most interesting thing was that I was the patient watching a team of doctor's decide how to treat me. I felt a level of vulnerability, but also confidence that I was in good hands. That experience further ignited my passion to become a physician and I have not lost sight of that goal ever since. However, let me explain why I now feel that there has been a dark cloud hanging over my path.

I worked so hard for four years at UCLA and did not allow anything to discourage me from continuing my education. Unfortunately though, I now feel that I never "stopped to smell the roses." One of the first major sacrifices that I made was halting my martial arts training at the studio. I believed, at that time, that there was not enough time to study and actively be involved in the many community service activities that I was a part of. Unknowingly, I cut out a piece of my heart with that decision.

The martial arts, undoubtedly, gave me the discipline and strength to get where I am today. Ironically, it was the first to go! I still receive the TKC newsletters and usually delete them, thinking that there can't be much important information in them and that they will only serve as a constant reminder of what I gave up. However, I read the last one you sent and looked at the 2001 Black Belt Graduates. My goodness!! Looking at all those people making such a huge leap is amazing! I read a few of the bios and couldn't help but begin to cry. I realized the true physical and, most importantly, emotional value of the promotion to the Black Belt rank. I noticed the younger students the most, as they make their way to 1st and 2nd degree Black Belts. It reminded me of my tests and the grueling mix of emotions I felt as I rose in the ranks. Earning my 3rd degree was just icing on the cake. I feel that my most influential exam was my 1st degree exam. We spent close to 14 hours in the studio that day! After that exam, I felt the highest level of satisfaction. It helped me realize how great it is to work for so many years at a seemingly distant goal and finally achieve it.

As weird as it may sound, I miss that exam day and can only look back on it as a memory. I now wish that I could be there to talk to each and every one of this year's graduates and hear their stories. If I could tell them all one thing, it would be NEVER forget the experiences, friendships, and emotions that their training at the studio has afforded them.

I am now beginning a new chapter in my life as a medical student. There are no words to describe how amazing it is to watch the world's best doctors in action everyday. Knowing that I will soon join their ranks is the new driving force in my life. There is one major difference though; I have now learned to appreciate every new day, new experience, and new relationship. I truly believe in the saying, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life...and it could be your last." Unfortunately, here in Baltimore, I see many young lives end everyday as a result of violent crime. Our ER has multiple patients come in with gunshot wounds and stab wounds every night. I can't allow myself to just accept these acts of violence and move on. I have become actively involved in a community revitalization project here to help get kids off the streets. I am working to impart the knowledge and discipline that you gave me to these children. I plan to hold free martial arts classes for the neighborhood children in hopes of providing them with similar opportunity that I had when I was younger and becoming their mentor for life.

I am thankful for our relationship, Mr. Fariborz. I feel that we have an eternal connection. Even as time passes and we don't hear from each other, we are always able to pick up right where we left off. Please don't let this time be like the others. I want to maintain contact with you. I look forward to hearing from you soon. I will be back in Los Angeles for Thanksgiving. I hope to see you then. Take care.

Love,

I am currently enrolled in TKC's SWAT (Special Winning Attitude Team) program. The philosophy shared and lessons taught in this 12 week class are truly valuable and beneficial not only on the mat as a student and/or instructor; but can also be applied in one's personal and professional life. Kyoshi graciously and generously shares his wisdom about life and the martial arts learned from his own experiences and education interspersed with the knowledge and learnings of other influential people that have touched the martial arts world. The lessons are inspiring and enlightening - basic teachings based on common sense, honest values and morals.

For anyone looking to become more involved within TKC or simply looking for some guidance to every day life, I highly recommend participating in this program. The rewards speak for themselves.

Much respect,