Loyalist College student pursues karate career

Student Mandy Quinn will be teaching karate two times per week at Frankford Public School, while attending the Fitness and Health Promotion Program at Loyalist College. Photo by Rachel Stark, QNet News

By Rachel Stark

BELLEVILLE – Loyalist College student Mandy Quinn is pursuing her dream career by starting a karate class at Frankford Public School.

The class, which will be available to people ages six and up, will teach members karate starting from a basic level, with training up to a black belt. The class is called World Yoshukai Karate, and will be held in the school gym.

Quinn says she decided to get her karate instructor certificate after she started in Loyalist College’s Fitness and Health Promotion Program. Prior to that she had served in the military, but she decided to move back to her home in Frankford to study fitness and recreation.

Mandy Quinn earned her black belt so she could get an instructor certificate to teach karate. Photo courtesy of Mandy Quinn

“I made a big life change, so I joined the fitness program, got my certificate, and decided I wanted to teach karate,” she said.

After learning the basics of karate at age 12 in elementary school, Quinn said, she was hooked.

“I’m not sure why I wanted to pursue it that young, but I just knew it hit home with me.”

Through training, Quinn reached a first-degree black belt, earning her the title of sensei, a martial-arts teacher.

Mandy Quinn says learning karate helped her gain self-confidence and patience. Photo courtesy of Mandy Quinn

Karate is more than a defence technique; it is a form of art, she told QNet News. People can use karate to develop a wide range of skills, she said.

“What’s most important is learning how to push yourself out of your comfort zone and do things that scare you.”

Other skills she will teach in the new class are discipline, balance and patience.

If the class is successful, Quinn said, she hopes to open her own space to teach karate.

Quinn is holding an open house on Feb. 24 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the public school to provide information about the class. Frankford Public School is at 36 Adelaide St., Frankford.