Why karate?

The study of karate is open to everyone regardless of age, experience or athleticism.  Karate-do (the way of the empty hand) is a vehicle for a life long journey of self-mastery.  Serious training for continual improvement requires discipline, physical and mental effort.  Those who choose this path benefit in many ways.  A few of the most common are highlighted here. 

Self defense:  Karate training teaches us to identify dangerous situations and avoid or escape them whenever possible.  It also arms practitioners with the physical skills to stop a violent attacker using strategies that minimize the risk of injury, legal, and moral code violations when other options have failed or are impractical. 

Physical development:  Karate training develops our bodies to be stronger and move faster.  It improves resilience, endurance, proprioception, balance and timing.  Students are encouraged to live a healthy lifestyle including practicing and exercising outside of the dojo and eating healthy. 

Self-control:  During conflict the thing we exercise the most control over is our response.  Students take their first step on their journey of improved self-control when they overcome their fear of the unknown and try their first class.  Continued practice and growth require students to voluntarily face their fears and embrace discomfort.  This builds mental strength, courage, discipline and composure.  Karateka train to respond to adversity with effective strategies instead of emotional reactions. 

Communication and leadership:  Students practice communication and de-escalation strategies to resolve conflict.  As students progress, they are given more responsibilities in the dojo including teaching and mentoring newer students.  The leadership and communication skills that these opportunities develop are invaluable and transfer to roles we play outside the dojo.

Fun:  Karate training is not all discipline and discomfort.  One of the most effective forms of learning is play.  The majority of class time is spent on play in the form of partner drills.  Often students express surprise when the end of class is announced.  That is because time flies when you are having fun. 

In closing, the skills that karateka develop enhance the quality of their lives in many ways.  They enjoy improved health and safety, become more productive, develop and maintain better relationships, accomplish goals, and learn to pursue their full potential. 

Sensei Ivan Rose