Debbi Thomas

“Karate started out selfishly for me.  It was for me and me alone as I was in search of ‘something’.  My attitude quickly became selflessly as I transformed and blossomed into an adult with a heart to give and share unconditionally”  — thanks to Kanzen GoJu Ryu, Zokucho Rosenstein, Board of Directors, Renshi Larry Mease and all Maryland black belts/karatekas.

The following questions were asked to Renshi Thomas.

-When did you start in Kanzen?

I started in Kanzen GoJu Ryu in December 1979.  I achieved my  Black Belt rank in July 1982

-What made you want to start karate?

Growing up as the only female sibling with a house full of brothers, though female to the end, I certainly wasn’t the fluffy, soft, timid, type of girl and had my share of run ins due to my inability to back down.   Based on that lifestyle and a few unexpected circumstances in life at a young age, I was always fascinated with karate (pretended I knew it J).  I always wanted to have something hidden that would take someone out, or if nothing else, just enough for me to get away.  After witnessing a few local styles, I got nothing out of what I saw, no passion, no lifelike, realistic “yessssssss syndrome” moments – until 1979.  In 1979 I was invited to a black belt exam of a friend (Sensei Paul Miles – deceased) in Maryland.  What I witnessed at that 2+ hour exam had me sitting on the edge of my seat and by the time kumite (fighting) transpired and ended with Paul’s spinning crescent kick swiping his opponents nose, I knew that I had found my karate home.  The realism and credibility of every portion of the exam including but not just limited to kumite, along with the expertise and precision exhibited by the instructor in his demonstrations (Shihan Michael DiRaimondo) had me locked in.  I joined shortly after.

-Once you started, what about it made it a part of your life?

Kanzen GoJu Ryu changed my life in more ways than I am willing to express.  In a nutshell I can say that the major change that it has made in me was my ability to “think” before I “act”, which is surely a lifesaving characteristic.  The meditative value that I got, and still get, out of every aspect of the style taught me how to weigh options, see alternative views, maintain confidence and self-value but in a low keyed, chilled manner.   –The fire inside of me was mellowed, yet preserved enough so that the inner passion that I have to overcome any obstacle/challenge I am faced with will always remain.

-When you started teaching?

During the past 30+ years I taught karate at various locations in Maryland as well as, throughout the years, periodically assisted Renshi Larry Mease at his dojo(s). In May 2012 I started teaching in my community in Upper Marlboro, Maryland (“Seizonsha Dojo”), where I plan to remain throughout the remainder of my karate career while continuing to assist when I can.

-What do you find rewarding about teaching

Some of the most rewarding aspects that I find about teaching karate are witnessing the transformations from weak to strong, unsure to confident, overconfident to humbleness, weak-minded to determined, knucklehead to amenable.  All of which keeps me continually stay grounded as I have shared a couple of those characteristics in my younger life and can relate on many levels to the other characteristics.  Seeing pride, strengthened confidence level and self-imposed weaknesses disappear from students, child to adult, is priceless.

-Special achievements (tournaments, ranks, etc)

Throughout my karate career I competed in and won numerous kata (forms) and kumite (fighting) matches and held on to a 10 year undefeated fighting record in the Maryland/New Jersey/New York karate circuit.