PHOTO GALLERY: The MU Karate Club holds its first meeting of the semester

MU Karate Club instructor Eric Parsons leads the club in their traditional introductory bow, which signifies the start of the club's first meeting of the semester. Parsons, who was a longtime club member during his time as a student at MU from 1997-2004, accepted the position of instructor in this month.
  |  Elizabeth Cardwell/MISSOURIAN

MU Karate Club members Craig Hosey, left, and David Bollinger work through a series of technical exercises during the club's first meeting of the semester Thursday at Memorial Union. As the club members worked through the drills, their instructor, Eric Parsons, shouted out words of encouragement and motivation. "This is working your don't-give-up muscles just as much as your triceps," Parsons said.   |  Elizabeth Cardwell/MISSOURIAN

MU Karate Club instructor Eric Parsons uses club member Josh Valdivieso in a grappling demonstration during the club's first meeting of the semester on Thursday at Memorial Union. "There are some karate clubs that are all about tournaments. We're not like that. For us, this is about self-defense, fitness and personal growth," Parsons said.   |  Elizabeth Cardwell/MISSOURIAN