Karate class at AEDC improves physical, mental fitness

  • Published
  • By Philip Lorenz III
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  Don Gardner, Aerospace Testing Alliance's instrumentation and diagnostics section manager of the Technology and Analysis Branch, has taught a karate class at AEDC since 1993.

"Karate is a sport that can be practiced for life," said Gardner, who teaches the class on a volunteer basis. "If practiced consistently it can extend your peak physical performance chronologically. It continues to challenge you physically, mentally and psychologically at all stages and keeps rewarding you with self confidence befitting your personality type. I'm sure the same could be said about many physical activities."

Dr. Alan Hale, ATA, said the base's long-time karate instructor has been an inspiration to him.

"Sensei Don Gardner selflessly dedicated himself to teaching his students the art of karate," Dr. Hale said. "His instruction encompassed the how, the why and the when that the art might be effectively used for fitness, defense and protection. His humble spirit combined with his excellent and powerful mastery of the art provides a perfectly balanced environment for learning the art. Sensei Gardner's approach enables continued mastery of karate or a ready foundation for branching into the study of other martial art disciplines."

Dr. Richard Roberts, a DOD wind tunnel test project manager at AEDC, recently experienced a major milestone in Gardner's class.

"It was a big accomplishment to finally earn a black belt," he said. "There is a level of confidence that comes with knowing you can defend yourself if the occasion would ever occur. It doesn't necessarily feel as if I have finished something, but have just now learned all the skills needed to start perfecting the art."

Dr. Roberts who has studied karate exclusively under Gardner the past four and a half years, emphasized the motivation behind learning the martial art was originally to learn self-defense.

"I've since learned that karate entails much more; it teaches character, respect as well as flexibility, strength and mental acuteness," he explained. "We work out for about an hour and a half, twice a week. Physically it has improved my balance, flexibility and strength. The class is structured so that is provides a good combination of both strength training and cardio."

Dr. Roberts is quick to point out other benefits of learning karate.

"It is also good for the memory," he said. "There are many moves, combinations and routines or 'kata' to learn, and the ability to be able to recall this knowledge instantaneously in combat takes a quick, healthy mind.

"We also study some aspects of jujitsu and weapons training, which keeps things interesting by always offering new things to learn. It's interesting to learn the history of Shorin-Ryu karate, which has its roots [dating] back hundreds of years ago in Okinawa. There is a long lineage of masters each of who have left their mark on the art."

David Zieja, a recently retired Air Force communications specialist, is also one of Gardner's karate class students.

"I was introduced to the martial arts in 1965 when I started training in Isshinryu Karate Dojo in Jersey City, N.J., with Grandmaster Don Nagle," Zieja recalled. "Sensei Nagle lit the spark. Over the years I had studied many styles and they all have the basic concept. The difference is to find a program that works for you."

Zieja's goal was to achieve the level of black belt "in at least one style."

As it turned out, he chose tae kwon do in 1996 and later accomplished the same rank in the Shōrin-ryū style under Gardner.

"I had [first] achieved the level of black belt in 1996 at the age of 48," he said. "All the hours, pain and frustration I had endured could only be overcome by persistence.

"In 2003, I moved to Manchester feeling a bit out of place, not having a family here I needed to center myself. So, I started looking for a place I felt comfortable training."

After checking out several "dojang and dojos," Zieja learned about the karate course taught on base while reading an issue of High Mach.

"I spoke to Sensei Don Gardner and now I believe I've found a home," he said.

Originally, the class was informal and Gardner and his students met on base when they could. As the class's popularity grew, it became a more permanent feature at the Fitness Center.

The class is held from 3-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays on the main gym floor. For more information on these classes contact Gardner at 454-3497.