Testimonials AWCNF  Total Personal Development -Authentic and Traditional Uechi-Ryu Okinawan Karate

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20/50 Celebration

Weight Loss Testimonial

Mother and Son in same class

Reinforcing Child's Behavior

Rank Promotion Test

Father and Son

Private Lesson

Motivated Youth

Father of Multiple Students

Responsibility

Goal Setting for Youth

Affects on Teenager

Motivation for Self Improvement

Mother of multiple students

Goal Sheets for Children

Adult Observing Youth Class

Best environment and training in all of Fairfax County

Grateful Adult Student

Mother of two youths in the school

20/50 Celebration -- Back to top of Page

Dear Master Folta,

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude in being invited to the 20/50 CELEBRATION.  The caliber and experience of the instructors was incredible.  It was a unique experience for me to be able to work and talk one on one with such accomplished individuals.  I took away many nuggets from the seminar pertaining to concepts of training, and techniques to last a lifetime.  I would have felt that I had made the best investment of my life.  The evening dinner and entertainment was awe inspiring.  I enjoyed watching the diversified musicians and dancers perform.  It was treat to watch the high level black belts perform Kata.  Master Bill Glasheen did a fantastic job performing a 108 Step Kata that traces its routes back to China where it is speculated that Kanbun Uechi was exposed to this Kata that had many similarities to Uechi roots.  I was most impressed by the fact that Bill was able to learn this form from a video.  I am excited to purchase the video for the memories and to try to emulate the technique and focus of the masters.  I look forward to the next event.  Happy Birthday, and congratulations on your lifetime achievement as martial artist, humanitarian and family man.

Jack Tosi

Weight Loss Testimonial -- Back to top of Page

Dear Master Folta,

I want to thank for for helping me exceed my weight loss goal.  I lost over 40 pounds in 2 months.  I was a very active person before my twins were born.  When they were born I lost all of my work-out time and I didn't have the time to eat healthy.  I gained 50 pounds before they were 1 year old!  I have tried for the past 7 years to lose the weight but I never had the self discipline to lose any weight.  Originally I started taking your class in order to help my son.  After a couple months of practicing Karate, I noticed my self discipline and focus increased.  So, I decided to make losing 20 pounds my personal goal for one 3 month session -- I lost 40 pounds and exceeded my weight loss goal by 100%.   My increased self discipline allowed me to stick to a new healthy diet.  Now a year later I am still 40 pounds lighter than when I first started Karate. 

Thank you for giving me back my health.

Mark

Mother and Son in Same Class -- Back to top of Page

Dear Master Folta,

I want to express my gratitude for your class and the level of excellence that you push us to achieve.  Thomas (my son) and I are both enjoying learning karate with you.

VR
Mother & Son in the same class

Reinforcing Child's Behavior  -- Back to top of Page

Sensei,

Thank you for the little chat with my son. I really appreciate it and I think it's really important for him to hear the things that you said from someone other than myself. It really helps me out, and I appreciate it.

Father of a youth student

Rank Promotion Test -- Back to top of Page

Bravo on a very well done event. We enjoyed the rank promotion very much.

It's been fun to watch the children advance over the past several sessions.

Again congratulations.

Thank you

Mother of a youth student

Father and Son -- Back to top of Page

As a father, I wanted to study with my 6 year old son. One day I received a copy of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Park Takes magazine. Looking through the listings I saw a class for Traditional Karate Uechi Ryu. The classes were offered on weekends and on Tuesday nights. And they were available for 6 year old children to adults. Since the cost was right (fairly inexpensive and no long term contract), I signed my son and myself up, and waited for classes to begin.

My first class with Folta Sensei was amazing. After a short organizational meeting of the students we were broken into smaller classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced students. Our beginners group consisted of my son and myself, along with three other dads and their children. Folta Sensei demonstrated some basic karate moves that looked very complex to me. As we slowly went through the moves, I felt awkward and struggled to understand the movements, and get the rhythm, or flow. But between Folta Sensei’s patience and encouragement and seeing the other students going through the same thing, I continued eventually earning my first belt. Watching Folta Sensei with the kids was truly a joy. His way of having fun while teaching is purely an art. As the end of the first 12 week session, I decided that I really enjoyed studying Uechi-Ryu. Folta Sensei suggested that I take the adult classes instead or in addition to the child/adult classes as I would progress at a much faster pace. At first, I was a little leery as he was so great with the kids that I felt that he surely couldn't be that good with a strictly adult class, but I took his advice anyway. I was surprised that Folta Sensei has a natural teaching ability and way with people that is extremely rare. His way with both adults and children is truly amazing.

In the years that my son and I have been studying Traditional Karate Uechi-Ryu with Folta Sensei, we have enjoyed many benefits. First, we both have made some great friends in the school. Next, my son has gained confidence, flexibility, and fine motor skills coordination. He loves the fact that the things he learns in Uechi-Ryu complements his baseball skills.  I've managed to lose about 20 pounds, and gain some coordination. In addition to Karate, Folta Sensei teaches his strong belief in building character and setting goals. This has helped my son in school by improving his grades, and helping him to earn a “Most Improved Student” award. I've learned to focus more which has helped my career goals and in my desire to become a calmer and more relaxed person.

Finally, Folta Sensei is more than a karate instructor, he’s a mentor and friend of his students.

Father of a youth student and a student himself

Private Lesson -- Back to top of Page

Mr. Folta,

Matt really got a big benefit out of the private lesson this weekend. He felt so much more confident in his class on Sunday... he smiled all the way home. I am glad he was invited to test. One question, though... should I bring the form, his certificate, and the cash payment to Oakmarr, or drop it by your home? If so, could you give me directions? Thanks, Janet

I'm very thankful for the opportunity to become part of the AWCNF family. I feel

very close to everyone in the class and am very grateful for all that I have

been taught by the rest of the students as well as you. I owe you a great

deal of gratitude in how far God and you have brought me during my quest for

Black Belt. I know that I will have some difficult roads ahead of me in karate

as I continue to go farther. But in the end, I would have been given a great

honor in joining the Black Belt family. I thank you for all that you have

done for me in the almost two years that I have been with you. You have

allowed me to see a side of myself that I have not seen in a long time: a side of

happiness, determination, and vision. Thank you, Master Folta, for all that

you have done for me and what you continue to do. It's great to know a man

who has fought wars in the dojo. Someone who has bled, sweat, and paid the

price to accomplish a fantastic feat. Hopefully, one day I will be able to

pass that knowledge on to someone else who is up and coming. Thank you again.

God Bless.

Thank you very much

Adult student

Motivated Youth -- Back to top of Page

Dear Sensei,
  ...By the way, she (my daughter)  ran out of class yesterday at 5:00 PM so excited! She said, "It was the greatest!!!".
Thank you.

Mother of a youth student

Father of Multiple Students -- Back to top of Page

It has been a very good experience for my kids and me participating in your classes and in the promotion test. Both (classes and test) have been good examples of commitment to work, respect and discipline, along with a solid team spirit and in a friendship environment. For your work and the one achieved by people in the Dojo, omedeto...

Father of youth students

and a student himself

Responsibility -- Back to top of Page

You, as our instructor, have shown your commitment to us by being prepared for class and providing high-quality instruction. To honor your commitment, my son and I agree that we must TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for our success in karate' and commit to practice more.

This has been a great learning exercise and a reminder to me as a parent that I set the example. Thank you for your commitment to us--your feedback on our goal sheets is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully,

Father of a Student and a Student himself

Thanks for your time. He really enjoys your class and you have a great repertoire with him and the other kids. I've recommended the class to others.

Father of a youth student

Affects on Teenager -- Back to top of Page

Dear Master Folta,
Thank you very much for the time and effort involved in creating and teaching your karate courses.  Our daughter, Jennifer, is 17 years old and enrolled in your class last year for the first time.  She has had an interest in martial arts for several years, but we had not been able to orchestrate getting her to and from classes before last year.
Jennifer's persistence in pursuing her special interest resulted in enrollment in your class.   We, as parents, had been reluctant to take on another commitment as Jennifer was already involved in several extracurricular activities and church commitments in addition to maintaing an A average in high school.  
 But, I wish to tell you that Jennifer has had a wonderful experience in your classes!  
The positive, disciplined, respectful approach has been a positive influence for Jennifer.
The exercise is excellent.  The values that you emphasize in class spill over into every
part of  one's life.
Thank you for investing your time and talent into shaping and influencing young people!
Sincerely,
Parent of Jennifer

Motivation for Self Improvement -- Back to top of Page

 I want to express my gratitude for your class and the level of excellence that you push us to achieve. My son and I are both enjoying learning karate with you. I home-school, and your question today in class about homework is applied differently in our home. He already reads to me every day during our lessons, but I would like to set a challenge for both of us to read on our own for 45 minutes a day during the school week.

We have also been practicing what we remember from class during our school day. It proves to be a healthy break from our desk work to get up and move!

VR,

Mother of youth student

Mother of multiple students

"Your energy and commitment is palpable and the kids really enjoy it - what a winning combination!"
 

Goal Sheets for Children

I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and for the help you have given me with great patience.  I also am grateful for fellow students 

who have also been very kind and patient.  Today was the opening of a new door for me, a humble step, yet nevertheless very 

exciting and encouraging for me.  I cannot adequately express what it means to me, except to say, thank you.

I will work harder.  I hope to honor you, the Dojo, and the tradition of our school, with my diligence and discipline.

Adult Student

Mother of two youths in the school

contact Folta, Sensei