Kendra Smith is a twenty-year-old first kyu Brown Belt student who started training here at the karate school in 1994, the summer before she started high school. Her Dad had researched extensively to find “the right school”.
Kendra has taught off campus karate classes for Sensei Mason for two years and assisted as a “sempai” in the summer karate camp in 1998 and 1999 and then taught the camp in 2000.
When asked why she likes karate Kendra replied” “It is something to do. It keeps me from ‘vegging out’ on the couch. I did better in school because of the training. Karate helps me discipline myself.”
In her spare time she reads horse novels and science fiction and loves to play computer games. Kendra also loves horses and she rides as much as possible.
Piano is another passion and Kendra played from 1988 to 1998, some of the time competitively. Her favorite music group is Savage Garden and her favorite movies are “The Matrix” and ‘The Fifth Element”.
Having earned an Associates Degree at Broward Community College in Davie, Kendra is now preparing to move to Boca Raton where she will major at FAU in Computer Sciences. Goals for the future include “working for a reputable software company and possibly teaching karate.”
Kendra has definite ideas of why anyone should train in karate: “There is always something to learn which helps to keep you motivated. Karate teaches you to get along with people and it relieves stress.”
We wish Kendra all the best in her new life at Florida Atlantic University.
We look forward to seeing her in class here at the dojo, when she has the opportunity to train, as she prepares for her next step, Black Belt.
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Why Am I Dehydrated? The Nemours Foundation, Inc Kidshealth.org |
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Dehydration happens for many different reasons. If you’re not drinking enough fluids each day, you might be very thirsty. This is one way your body tells you that it needs more fluids. Another way to tell that you might be dehydrated is if you feel very tired, even if you’re not very active and you’ve been getting enough sleep. Or you might not be going to the bathroom a lot, maybe only once or twice a day instead of five or six times. That could be another signal that your body needs more water.
Another reason you might get dehydrated is because you have been sweating a lot, especially when you are active outside in hot weather. Most people need about twice as much fluid as they usually drink when they’re playing sports or exercising. But if you’re very active, you may forget to stop and take a drink, or to rest and cool down for a while.
Getting too hot makes you dizzy, weak, or nauseated, which means that you’ll feel like you have to throw up. This is called heat illness, and it can happen when you’re dehydrated.
Thirst-quenching Tips
Whether you’re exercising in the sun or keeping it cool by reading on the couch, here’s what everyone should know about water:
Drink water, juice, or sports drinks often when you’re active. Carry a water bottle with you on your bike or in your backpack.
Drink eight glasses of water each day.
If drinking eight glasses sounds like too much water, try getting some of your water supply from foods like grapes, watermelon, oranges, cantaloupe, lettuce, cucumbers, and celery.
Drink before you exercise.
Stay away from drinks that have caffeine (like iced tea or soda) when you’re exercising – they can actually make you lose more fluids.
Take plenty of breaks to rest in the shade or in air conditioning, but remember, you still need to drink water.
When you’re sick:
Drink small sips of liquids, even if you really don’t feel much like it.
Drink slowly . Take small sips or even use a spoon to drink just a little bit at a time.
The most important thing you can do to prevent dehydration is to pay attention to your body. If you feel really dizzy, weak, or thirsty or if you haven’t gone to the bathroom in the last 12 hours you are probably dehydrated. Prevent this by drinking water often every day.