BUT, don't just take my word for it, hear what former students have to say:
Chris Shaw
I would first like to give credit to Sensei Feldt for running such a smooth program and commend him on a job well done. Before coming into his class, I had a few years experience under my belt, but still learned a great deal in the few short months that I trained under him. As well as the University class setting, I also visited his studio for two weeks to get a taste of how things are run in his dojo. After the two weeks, I was extremely impressed with not only his teaching style, but also the way he and his students carried themselves in and out of the classroom. It is such a great pleasure to know that he encourages community service and acts of kindness out of the dojo. It teaches fundamentals that need to be instilled in everyone and also helps create great life lessons. When it comes to striking and fundamental moves, Sensei Feldt’s tactics are flawless. Practicing the moves by striking the air first helps build confidence in the students and then when it comes time to move to bags, the students really have an understanding of the application. This way, each student has the ability to move at his or her own pace and should not feel as if they are just thrown to the bulls. I wish I had more time to spend at the university so I could further extend my training but as things go, the real world is calling my name. I truly enjoyed my experience under Sensei Feldt and would recommend it to anyone looking to learn self-defense, to help get in shape, or to just become involved in a great group of people that enjoy sharing their knowledge with others. To you Sensei Feldt and to all members of your Dojo, keep up everything you are doing. You sure know how to touch lives and create a lasting impression.
Millie Agrawal
From this karate class, I’ve not only learned basic defense skills, but the confidence to be able to use them. Sensei Feldt consistently uses positive reinforcement to make you feel more confident in your technique and try even harder in class. Forms are taught with attention to detail so that you don’t practice it incorrectly and decrease the chance of injuring yourself. In addition to the physical aspect of this class, you are also taught ways to avoid being victimized both by strangers and those you know. Overall, this class teaches you how to defend yourself and gives you the confidence to be able to do so, all while emphasizing ways to avoid dangerous situations where physical force would be required.
Kyle Detar
Sensei Feldt has designed this course in a manner of which the values of hard work, dedication, and self-discipline are instilled on each and every student. Throughout the entirety of the beginner karate experience, we covered all of the basic elements of karate and learned not only valuable elements of self-defense, but also the important of keeping a sharp mind and staying mentally alert in any possible attack situation. This course not only provided me with a better understanding of striking from day one, but also helped build self-confidence and a better idea of what it takes to excel in martial arts. Our classes were focused on not only techniques, but also on the philosophy behind karate in addition to the multiple variations of this art depending on instructor preference. The course showed us all how to strike, kick, block, and throw elbows with the fullest force our bodies could possibly create.
Patricia Dowbiggin
I took Karate Spring 2011 as a way to work out and relieve stress from my academic classes. I’ve taken advantage of many of USC’s great classes such as Women’s Self Defense and Tae Kwon Do, and beginners Karate was a fun and beneficial class even with some prior experience. What I appreciate most about this PEDU course is the incorporation of self defense in the standard technique classes, so at the end of the course one has a basic understanding of Karate technique, and it’s practical applications in life. Overall I would recommend this course to anyone looking for exercise, stress relief, self defense skills, or – of course- martial arts technique.
Kelsie Requa
I have always had an interest in the martial arts. I am an avid weight room/cardio enthusiast…so the martial arts have always sparked a light in me. When I was signing up for classes for spring semester 2011, there was an open spot available for Karate. I had no idea what I was getting into, if I would be any good at it, or if I’d be the only girl. The first day of class was great, we started our P.T. like we usually do and I felt like I excelled. Then we started our striking. The striking was a bit more difficult than the P.T., but of course any new thing you learn takes a good deal of practice before you are great at it. Next came the kicks, the blocking, the wrist release, the falls and take downs. After learning all of these techniques and aspects of Karate, I fell in love with it. I noticed that I now feel less nervous when I am walking alone from campus to my car at night. I am less nervous when I am in a parking lot going to my car alone. I feel fully equipped with the knowledge and power that I need to be able to defend myself against an attacker. I feel like I have gained power and lost intimidation. Karate has really opened my eyes to the real world and has prepared me to be on guard. I would recommend this course to anyone who is willing to take time to learn the techniques. It’s a wonderful sport which encourages strength, agility, power, respect and self-worth. Karate has changed my life -- for it will also change yours.
Jeremy Burgess
Pedu 117 was actually an enjoyable course to take. Initially, I just needed a one credit hour class and a friend suggested I take this course with her so I signed up. I was actually surprised at how in depth karate is. There are an endless number of techniques and stances to be learned. The interesting fact is that with each stance, technique and guard etc. there is a mindset or potential situation for it to be utilized. Sensei Feldt does an awesome job of helping the students master, as best they can, the taught material. It is obviously a very interactive course which is what makes it so fun. Learning the kicks and punches and stances is exciting. Getting to partner up and test your skills and put the moves in action is a great factor to the class. It is definitely worth taking; especially with a friend who would enjoy it as well.
Josh Ayers
In just one semester of karate I have learned many different things that will help me throughout my life. I learned the basics of karate, from the different stances, the six basic punches, eight basic elbows, and the basic kicks. Not only did I learn the basics of karate, I also learned several basics to self defense. The basics of self defense really helped me out as I am a bouncer at a local bar where I am faced with two or more attackers at a time. Sensei Feldt took the time to go over the self defense with multiple attackers that will be a great asset to me in the future. He taught us that with time and practice we can be calm in a time when most people are frantic and take the attackers one at a time by stacking them in a line so that they cannot attack you all at once. He taught us how to get loose from someone grabbing our wrists or if someone were to come up and choke you from the front or from behind as well as how to get out of a bear hug. This class has given me a great amount of confidence in that I will be able to defend myself at any point I need to.
John Ricely
Sensei Feldt's course at the University of South Carolina was extremely involving and helpful. Sensei taught techniques and defensive maneuvers that, as a college student, will be priceless if I ever find myself in a situation where I need to defend myself. He taught many good techniques for gaining control over an attacker without actually hurting them, and how to avoid conflict all together, which is often overlooked but is vitally important in staying safe. Sensei presents you with realistic scenarios and then shows you how to escape or fight back.
The whole experience of this class was fantastic. Not to mention being very approachable and friendly, Sensei would always be open to questions, and had good advice to how you should handle any kind of situation you could throw at him. After this course, I feel way more confident in myself and my ability to protect myself should the need ever arise. I would (and have) recommend(ed) this class to my friends. Great experience overall and a lot of fun!
Misha Alexeev
Sensei Feldt did a great job of teaching karate in a way that was both useful and relevant in today's society. We not only learned proper form and technique, but also discussed and practiced the situations in which each technique would be most effective. In addition to practical karate, we learned about effective methods of avoiding dangerous situations and what to do if such situations occurred. Overall, I feel that as a result of this class, I have become much more able to defend myself in a dangerous situation, but perhaps even more importantly, I have learned effective methods of avoiding dangerous situations altogether.
