What IYF taught me- Keren Obara.

When I joined IYF to study Taekwondo, I had a huge ego and dreadfully competitive spirit. I had an incessant need to prove myself. But at IYF, I learned calmness, humility, and grace just by watching the personalities of the people who lived in the compound. I met people like my friend Maggie, who’s personality enthralled me.

She was confident in herself, but still so humble and kind towards others. She was the opposite of the competitive environment I had lived in before. Many of the people at IYF had this sort of vibe as well, like my friend Tracy. Very calm, and confident in themselves, taking life day by day, not needing to prove anything to anyone.

They showed me that life is not all about tension. That there is another side to life. A side which I, as Keren, am discovering more and more.