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Matthew Melendez: Martial Arts Staff
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As a child living in the streets of the Bronx, I was forced to adapt to a tough environment. I lived in a predominately black neighborhood and was constantly picked on by others for being of Puerto Rican descent; many even mistaken me for being Caucasian. And so they picked on me and I would get into fights all the time. I spent little time in school and more time at home on suspension. There was no hope for me there until my mom decided to move to Manhattan - specifically Spanish Harlem. Here, I continued my belligerent behavior but I was slowly improving. |
It wasn’t easy getting suspended every week for fighting - it was the only way I knew how to prove myself. Luckily, when I entered junior high, there was a positive shift in my surroundings. I began to realize the power and influence a group may have on a person and I used it to my benefit. In junior high I used this power to begin shaping the person I am today. I began relating to people who were doing well in school and who stood out of trouble and with time it rubbed off on me. I started to take school more seriously and it all changed. Since junior high I haven’t had a fight nor suspension.-----Not worded right
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Growing up I always had an interest in the in martial arts but was never able to pursue it due to my family’s financial problems. That all changed in the summer after my junior year of high school. A recruiter approached me from Ultimate Karate USA at first; I was reluctant to join because of financial reasons. After my initial inquiry of UK USA, I knew that I had to find a way to be part of this community. |
The people involved with the dojo along with the material I would learned was what motivated me to search for other ways to pay for tuition. Luckily, Sensei and Sonia understood my financial situation; I was helping my mother pay bills. We were able to establish a more suitable payment plan. Since then I have I have really gotten close to the people here at the dojo. I was given the honor of joining the dojo staff. I spend lots of time progressing both as a martial artist and also as a person.
The meditation teacher at the dojo introduced me to Rinzai Zen, and my life has not been the same since. Meditation has allowed me to conserve so much energy and stress from my life. Not only does Zen helps me conserve energy but it compliments my martial arts training by providing discipline and budo spirit. The combination of wisdom that I have obtain from Sensei Richard Garcia and Zen teacher Stan Koehler have made me such a powerful individual. I am forever grateful for the oppurtunity that I have to be at the dojo. It is definitly a big part of my life and I cannot see me identifying myself without it. I will continue to train both the body and mind with my martial arts and Zen practice.
