Page 50 - PC Living Jan-Feb 2017

barbara & Jimmy croleyMASTERS OF YOSHUKAI KARATE BY VAL SCHOGER PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BOOINI“If you hurt her, I will not get dinner and we will all be in trouble,” Jimmy Croley laughs. His voice is decisive as he watches a seven- year old wrestle with Barbara, Jimmy’s wife. With a grin and a taun ng “You can’t beat me unless you know karate,” she easily keeps the zealous li le karate student at arm’s length.It is a typical Thursday evening for the Croleys and their students at the Lynn Haven Rec Center. Several parents watch with large smiles as their kids follow instructions closely and with serious faces. Moves, kicks, stances - the students crane their necks to watch the precise movements of their six-foot tall instructor. They repeat his moves with reverence and discipline. Barbara, a good foot shorter than her husband, is right by his side and weaves quickly through the rows of students, correcting here, nudging there... everyone is in their element with sharpened senses.Every Monday and Thursday, the Croleys teach Yoshukai Karate, a traditional Japanese karate style, to students ages 3 to 15. Several groups of little ninjas,as Barbara lovingly calls her students, ock through the doors to train to reach their next level of achievement and skill, marked by di erent colored belts around their waist. The coveted black belt de nes one of the highest skill levels of karate. The Croleys, of course, have long surpassed the black belt level. Students andfellow instructors refer to Jimmy Croley as “Shihan,” the Japanese designation of an advanced level instructor who has achieved examiner and judge ranks. Jimmy Croely is a sixth degree Shihan. Barbara is addressed as “Sensei,” denoting her advanced instructor’s level. It is quite riveting to watch as they teach and laugh with the kids – each student’s attention is fully captured.PC Living: How did you two meet, what got you started with karate, and how long have you taught karate together?Barbara Croley: We met in May, married in August, and have been married 40 years. I was 17 when I met Jimmy. That was in 1976.Jimmy Croley: I started karate right after graduating, before meeting Barbara, and learned a di erent style at rst. I continued throughout the years.Barbara Croley: I started karate in the 80s. Once we found Yoshukai, we stayed with it. We just love Yoshukai because it is family oriented. They do a lot with the kids, and a lot with the community, and that's what we were looking for.Jimmy Croley: We have full-time jobs. I am retired now from my work as an electrician but Barbara still works full time as an accountant. This is a pastime but I love it because it keeps us in shape and we love teaching. When I rst started, I thought I would get a black belt and I might teach a bit. That was 44 years ago.50 • January - February 2017 • www.PanamaCityLiving.com