![\"Sensei](\"http:\/\/media2.karategojukai.org\/2013\/09\/leraren-foto-nicole2.jpg\" "\\"Sensei")
<\/a>Sensei Nicole-Marie<\/p><\/div>\n
A little about the beginning<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 How come Sensei started to train karate-do? And can You still remember the first visit to the dojo?<\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0 I still remember that I attended a karate training as a 5-year-old girl and how impressed I was. I immediately asked my parents if I could also train karate. Unfortunately there was no karate club in my area that taught children. To compensate for this, I trained Judo for a number of years. Looking back it turned out to be good for my development, but it wasn't what I really wanted.<\/p>\n –\u00a0 How old were Sensei when You started Your karate career?<\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0 When I was 12 years old I could finally train karate. From the very first lesson I knew this was what I wanted.<\/p>\n –\u00a0 What made Sensei continue from there with the training?<\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0 What appealed to me greatly was the graceful way of moving, especially in kata. I looked up to the karateka with a higher grade and wanted to move like them.<\/p>\n Training\/teaching\/grading<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 Sensei have spent many years in the dojo now, how have Your motivation and view on karate-do changed over the years?<\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0 Over the past 28 years I continued training karate and it has always been an essential part of my life. At the same time I experienced different types of motivation. When I started karate I just wanted to move as beautiful as my role models in karate. At a later stage competition was an important driving force. But winning has never been the only focus. I experienced the comparison with others as a powerful tool to develop myself and getting better.<\/p>\n –\u00a0 Training for a grading is hard work. <\/strong><\/p>\n You have to be resolute and disciplined, what are Sensei's \u00a0thoughts now that You have passed the test?<\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0 Surely the participation of women in karate is also of particular concern to me.\u00a0Passing my Godan exam this European seminar, I hope, will be a stimulus for other women to continue training and to develop themselves in a martial art which is still male-dominated. I truly\u00a0believe karate is one of the most empowering sports a female can participate in.<\/p>\n –\u00a0 What is the most rewarding in living with karate-do for Sensei today?<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 The last few years teaching youth gives me great satisfaction, particularly children with disabilities.\u00a0I believe martial arts can make a significant contribution to the self-development of these young people and can be a support in becoming independent. Some 4 years ago I set up a special karate group for children with disabilities.\u00a0To impact these youngsters confidence through training karate is incredibly rewarding for me.<\/p>\n Course Special Needs School<\/p><\/div>\n Work<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 What is Sensei's profession outside the dojo?<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 Besides my karate training and teaching I have my own business and I work with people with disabilities. For example, I give courses in special needs schools and try to help youngsters to develop social skills and build up self-esteem. I train both the students and their teachers and provide advice to the parents. During these courses I also work together with healthcare institutions. My lessons are mentally and physically oriented and I use many principles from karate.<\/p>\n –\u00a0 Is there any quality as an instructor You need more of working with disabled children?<\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0 I believe\u00a0teaching children with disabilities entails specific requirements. Creating and maintaining a positive learning environment geared toward these youngsters is an absolute must.\u00a0Through education (e.g. pedagogue and physiotherapist) and experiences I became more aware as a trainer\u00a0in order to understand the needs of these children.<\/p>\n Training as a mum and dad<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 Me and my husband have two children, and both of us like to keep up with our training and teaching in the dojo. In Sweden, many women unfortunately give up their karate-training when having kids, what is Sensei's view on this situation? <\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0 Together with my husband (Jan van den Dries Shihan) we have a 10-year-old daughter, Yrsa. She was born with severe physical and mental disabilities. Despite taking care for her is sometimes very hard to combine with training, teaching and working she is also my biggest motivation. I keep training and developing myself to stay a fit and happy mum. At the same time I credit my husband for supporting me in many ways. I am sure that his back up is an essential precondition to realise my aspirations.<\/p>\n –\u00a0 Is it possible to make it easier for both mothers and fathers to keep up their training?<\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0 As a board member of the Dutch Gojukai Association I strongly support the idea to involve children and partners of our members in karate. So we organize many activities where they are welcome and can participate in different ways.<\/p>\n –\u00a0 Does Sensei think there are any need for special support to encourage women to keep up their commitment to karate-do and to advance further in the clubs and our organisation? <\/strong><\/p>\n – \u00a0I recognise the importance to get sympathy and support from your family for your karate practice, in particular women with kids. Therefore this European Gasshuku we focused not only on participants but on whole families and we organized a youth programme with special classes for children and non-training kids were also allowed to join different sports activities and games besides the trainings. I believe it is important having goals which motivate you to pursue your passion. In addition to personal goals I have also been committed to the Dutch Gojukai association concerning\u00a0 professionalization and increased women participation.<\/p>\n Last questions…<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 Have Sensei learned anything special from the years with karate-do that You have benefited from outside of the dojo?<\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0 The most striking lesson I have learned over the last few years is the importance to incorporate people, give them responsibilities and work together to get the best outcome.<\/p>\n –\u00a0 And what about the karate-future? Does Sensei have any specific plans? <\/strong><\/p>\n – \u00a0In the future I expect still to be involved in karate, but I hope to delegate more responsibilities to younger people. I think that\u2019s the essence of building up an organization.<\/p>\n I sure hope Sensei will stay active in Gojukai for a long time, and keep on being an inspiring role model for the rest of us.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a>