Student Testimonial from Lauren Miller | Faustini's Institute of Martial Arts and Fitness

What Our Students Say

Lauren Miller

About eight years ago, my sister, Christine, starting taking karate at Faustini's Institute. I watched her for two years through the glass window at the old school in Oradell. But, it was after the move to the new building that I decided I wanted to try. I took a summer camp, and although I was one of the oldest students, I had a lot of fun and it was then I told my mom I wanted to join.

Being in the martial arts here has changed who I am as a person. It has made me stronger: physically, mentally, and emotionally. It has taught me that I am able to control my mind and my body and it has also taught me how to do so. I have learned to deal with stress and anger and how to not let it get the best of me. For years, being at karate was my safe haven. It let me, in a sense, get away from my problems. It was a place where I could go work out all my anger in a safe and productive way, rather than bottling it all up.

Training in martial arts has made me more confident and has raised my self-esteem. I used to be a very quiet girl, who didn't think much of herself. I used to be overweight from a medicine I had to take due to a health problem. Although at the time I didn't realize what was going on, I began to understand and I used karate, and soccer also, to help me get into better shape. Along with that, it sky-rocketed my self confidence and I realized that I could be whoever I wanted to be, as long as I put my mind to it.

I was asked to join The S.T.O.R.M. Team (Super Team of Role Models) right after my 16th birthday and I very willingly agreed. I love kids and I had wanted to teach for some time, I just had to wait to be asked. Being with the kids all the time has put me in a situation where they respect me as an authority, yet they also know that I love to have fun with them.

Listening to Sensei's speeches during classes for 6 years has really had an impact on my life. Although he may think I'm not listening most of the time, I do hear what he's saying and I remember most of it. Whether he's talking about eating healthy, or being in a scenario that we, as young adults, wouldn't want to be in, I do take in what he says to heart and listen to him. Also listening to Sensei talk to the kids has helped me. Much of what he says to them doesn't pertain as much to me, but if I slightly alter it in my head, it does.

Not only has being in karate helped shape my personality but it has also given me a number of amazing friends, awesome experiences, and a second family. Everyone here has had an impact on my life whether they realize it or not. It's not only the knowledge given to me towards my next belt and learning how to defend myself, but just being a class with such amazing people has filled my world with experiences and wisdom that I could have never gained anywhere else.

I just want to thank everyone for helping me become who I am today, and helping me to get this belt I now wear around my waist. I want to thank all the Black Belts in the school for teaching me what I need to know and always being here for me; my friends, all of which are absolutely amazing and I would have never have gotten through my life without them; my dad and my grandparents what have always been there for me whenever I need them; my mom and my sister, who, although we argue, I wouldn't be here if it weren't for them; and lastly I want to thank Sensei for never letting me quit or give up on myself, and always being here for me if I ever needed someone to talk to. So I thank you all for making me the person I am.