ONE WHOSE SPIRIT AND MENTAL STRENGTH HAVE BEEN STRENGTHENED BY SPARRING WITH A NEVER-SAY-DIE ATTITUDE SHOULD FIND NO CHALLENGE TOO GREAT TO HANDLE. ONE WHO HAS UNDERGONE LONG YEARS OF PHYSICAL PAIN AND MENTAL AGONY TO LEARN ONE PUNCH, ONE KICK, SHOULD BE ABLE TO FACE ANY TASK, NO MATTER HOW DIFFICULT, AND CARRY IT THROUGH TO THE END. A PERSON LIKE THIS CAN TRULY BE SAID TO HAVE LEARNED KARATE.
- Gichin Funakoshi
- Gichin Funakoshi
Superhero training is always composed of a Martial Art, a spiritual discipline. The word Karate is a combination of two Kanji (Chinese characters): Kara, meaning empty, and te, meaning hand; thus, Karate means "empty hand." Karate uses the physical body for defence and attack. During Karate training you learn to utilise all parts of the body for maximum efficiency. Karate strives to reach hard and soft at the same time so a maximum concentration of force is achieved in an instant. If karate had to be described in only one sentence, then the most suitable one may arguably be "You never attack first in karate." This is a maxim of Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957), the Okinawan who brought karate to Japan in 1922, and who is accepted as the father of modern karate.
Today there are four main styles of karate in Japan: Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, Shito-Ryu, and Wado-Ryu.
Karate is one of the most dynamic of all the martial arts. A trained Karateka is able to coordinate mind and body perfectly, thereby allowing the unleashing of tremendous physical power at will. Therefore, it is not the possession of great physical strength that makes a strong Karateka; rather it is the ability to coordinate mind and body. Upon developing this ability, even the smallest person finds that he or she has within himself or herself the power to deliver a devastating blow to any would-be attacker.
In our everyday lives we often forget the value of exercise to both our physical and mental health. The practice of karate tones the body, develops coordination, quickens reflexes, and builds stamina. Also, the serious practice of karate develops composure, a clearer thought process, deeper insight into one's mental capabilities, and more self-confidence. In this, karate is not an end, but a means to an end. It is an activity in which advancing age is not a hindrance. Rather it encourages proficiency in the keen coordination of mind and body.
"No matter how you may excel in the art of Karate, and in your scholastic endeavour, nothing is more important than your behaviour and your humanity as observed in daily life." - Gichin Funakoshi
Today there are four main styles of karate in Japan: Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, Shito-Ryu, and Wado-Ryu.
Karate is one of the most dynamic of all the martial arts. A trained Karateka is able to coordinate mind and body perfectly, thereby allowing the unleashing of tremendous physical power at will. Therefore, it is not the possession of great physical strength that makes a strong Karateka; rather it is the ability to coordinate mind and body. Upon developing this ability, even the smallest person finds that he or she has within himself or herself the power to deliver a devastating blow to any would-be attacker.
In our everyday lives we often forget the value of exercise to both our physical and mental health. The practice of karate tones the body, develops coordination, quickens reflexes, and builds stamina. Also, the serious practice of karate develops composure, a clearer thought process, deeper insight into one's mental capabilities, and more self-confidence. In this, karate is not an end, but a means to an end. It is an activity in which advancing age is not a hindrance. Rather it encourages proficiency in the keen coordination of mind and body.
"No matter how you may excel in the art of Karate, and in your scholastic endeavour, nothing is more important than your behaviour and your humanity as observed in daily life." - Gichin Funakoshi
Our Karate Guide
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Sensei Peter is a 6th Degree Black Belt in Wadō-ryū Karate, International Competitor, BC Winter Games Head Coach and a Karate BC Provincial Coach. He is a Double Gold Medalist and competes, trains, studies and teaches martial arts in Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. He is an outstanding instructor whose energy uplifts and inspires. |
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Karate is an Asian system of unarmed combat using the hands and feet to deliver and block blows, widely practised as a sport. It was formalised in Okinawa, Japan in the 17th century and popularised after 1920. Karate is performed barefoot in loose padded clothing, with a coloured belt indicating level of skill, and involves mental as well as physical training. Karate was accepted as an Olympic sport in August of 2016.
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Karate and Budo: The practice of Karate develops:
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[1] Wikipedia - Karate
[2] Szark-Eckardt, M., Golebiewski, P., Cieslicka, M. and Stankiewicz, B., 2012. The assertiveness of people who practice Karate. Fiziceskoe Vospitanie Studentov, (4), pp.150-158.
[2] Szark-Eckardt, M., Golebiewski, P., Cieslicka, M. and Stankiewicz, B., 2012. The assertiveness of people who practice Karate. Fiziceskoe Vospitanie Studentov, (4), pp.150-158.
