By Claudine Senekal
After taking an eight-month break from karate, Jenna Padayachee is back in action and has now obtained her green belt. “Ultimately, green represents growth and I feel that there is a significant growth in my karate skills. At the same time, I realise that there is so much more to learn and improve on in my journey forward,” said Jenna, who took up karate just before the first wave of Covid-19 hit South Africa in mid-February 2020.
“I had to stop before my third grading in October 2021 due to a demanding life and work schedule,” said Jenna, who restarted her training at the beginning of June this year after making some adjustments with her sensei.
“The first training session after my return was bitter-sweet as I missed the dojo. I adapted to my newly-adjusted training session within that month and my muscle memory kicked in – I was able to get back in the game. Training is never an easy process, it’s always about pushing your limits in the dojo and striving to break barriers.”
Jenna said that what motivates her is her great love and passion for any form of art. “For me, martial arts forms part of this as it’s also a form of soul expression. Missing karate for eight months made me realise how much I truly enjoyed it and the very absence of it increased my drive to find a way to get back and work it into my lifestyle.”
Jenna travels to Newcastle each yearend for gradings. The Newcastle Dojo is run by Sensei Johan Swart (Head of JKA, Northern KZN) and he is also the examiner for gradings. “Generally, the grading held at the end of the year is a combined one (hosted in Newcastle) which also serves as a year-end gathering with the opportunity for karatekas to meet and train with different dojos as well.”
Jenna told The Ladysmith Herald that the key to her success is to keep training and develop further to the best of her abilities. “Sensei Charles Schulmann at the Ladysmith Dojo, who is extremely passionate about karate, leaves no room for any self-doubt and this fuels my burning desire to continue and push harder. It was the best feeling to be back, really. I tried training solo with videos but being at the dojo adds a constructive value and alternate dimension to the development of my martial arts skills.”
She said that she wishes she could have more hours in her day to find that perfect balance with working, being a mother, a wife and training; but she understands that one can’t always have everything, so that just motivates her to work harder.
Jenna said that her challenges and obstacles were, however, made easier with the immense support of her family. “Karate training has become part of our lifestyle now. In fact, my nine-year-old daughter is very keen to start training and will also be joining the Ladysmith Dojo soon.”
Jenna said that finding balance in a busy, growing family takes working together as a team and everyone doing their best to support each other’s goals and dreams. “Training as an adult, who is a parent, wife and business partner, becomes challenging as you have lots of responsibilities and commitments, however, good communication, adjustments and some discipline (like practising at home when you can’t make it to every training session at the dojo) makes it achievable.”
She added that taking out time to do karate training is an investment in yourself. “It has positive returns in benefits such as increased energy, strength, focus and co-ordination to handle daily activities.”
