Karate Kicks Up Fun At Library

While active movement doesn't necessarily go hand-in-hand with books, librarians kicked things up as part of their Summer Reading Program. Saturday, a Shorin Ryu-Karate Demonstration class presented by fifth degree black belt, Elaine Harshman and her daughter, Natalie, was hosted at the library.

Elaine is a member of the International Okinawan Kobudo Association.

This summer, the library staff offers weekly events as part of their summer reading program for children aged 1 to 12 years old, as well as teens. The program includes story time, arts, crafts and demonstrations, such as this one regarding karate.

Harshman has been teaching the art of karate since she was 15 years old. She began learning karate from her father, who had a DoJo Studio in Albuquerque, NM. 

Her family honors "traditional" karate styles as a way of life, discipline and art form. She carries this tradition into her own home studio in Wildwood where she currently has 10 students enrolled learning the art of Shorin Ryu-Karate. Her way of teaching is unique and requires respect of the art, discipline and commitment.

When students enter the studio, Harshman said they are to bow to one another as a way of showing respect. They begin class with breathing meditations so their minds are open to learning.

"The students should feel better about themselves when they leave class, than when they arrived," she said.

One student is her daughter, Natalie, a 14-year-old student at . Natalie is currently a green belt, and continues to work through the steps of earning the next level.

Elaine also offers self-defense classes to adults, children and Girl Scout groups.