Karate boosts self-confidence, improves public speaking skills in girls at St Teresa’s

No one kicks more butt than the karate girls at St Teresa’s School.

Els Karate has been running a dojo at the Catholic school in Craighall Park for the past 10 years.

Every week sees about 60 girls aged from four to matric lining up to throw punches, round-house kicks and even flying kicks at punching bags or invisible targets.

In just the past two years, sensei Andrew Els has seen 15 girls receive their black belts after securing excellent results in competitions and gradings.

“To be honest, I have found that girls are more focused and consistent in karate than boys are,” Els admitted.

He said the popularity of karate at the school had also been enjoyed by staff, who have commented on improved manners, public speaking and confidence in the girls doing karate.

“The main thing I want them to take away from karate is that they can stand up for themselves – that they can take care of themselves when no one else is around to help, both physically and mentally.”

Els also runs dojos at the Craighall Sports Club as well as in Waterval Estate, near Northcliff.

Across his three dojos, Els teaches that avoiding a fight is more preferable than having to go to blows. Only in worst-case scenarios should karate practitioners employ their quick and powerful strikes to defend themselves.

The maxim of Els Karate is that you should ‘imagine with all your mind, believe with all your heart and achieve with all your might’.

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