ST. MARTINS JUNIOR KARATE CLUB,
LANCASTER
Benefits
|
|
Karate or karate-do (空手道) is a martial art of Okinawan origin. Rather than being the product of any one person, culture or era, karate is a synthesis of various Okinawan fighting methods, enhanced intermittently with various forms of Chinese kung fu. In modernity, it is categorized by some as budo, introduced to the Japanese main islands from Okinawa in 1921 by various Okinawan practitioners who migrated to Japan during the early 20th century.
|
The Benefits Of Regular Training
1. Respect
Through regular training karate students learn to respect not only their own body and mind, but also respect other people along with gaining respect for property and also respect for the world around us.
2. Courtesy
In a dojo (training hall) every member and teacher alike must show courtesy to one another. It is this courtesy that is not, however, limited to just the dojo but courtesy should be a part of all karate students nature. Karate is not just a mastery of the skills they are taught but of developing into a good and honest member of society. A person who has courtesy as a attribute will find it easy to make friends and difficult to make enemies.
3. Discipline
Traditionally Karate is viewed as an art with a high level of discipline, and this has been maintained throughout our karate club. Students and teachers alike are required to bow on entering and leaving the training area (out of discipline and respect), and must not at any time show ill feeling or bad temper whilst training or competing (out of discpline and respect for their training partners or opponents). A student, who has discipline in their art, will also learn how to modest, not bragging or showing off any abilities, qualities that no true martial artist has.
4. Self Confidence
Karate helps to improve confidence in most aspect of life. By starting at a basic standard and improving to meet new and higher goals, and working with different people, confidence grows. Having confidence to take on new challenges and the confidence to walk away from situations where necessary.
5. Co-ordination
The movements in karate involve coordination of different muscles at different time, and also moving feet, legs, arms, hands, etc in a certain order.
6. Health/Fitness
Over time, people who train in karate, not only develop a healthy and strong body, but also benefit from a more positive (healthy) frame of mind. Some techniques at first are difficult, but with practice they become much easier as the body and mind become healthy. Karate is also a good way to release stress and improve the strength of your heart and lungs - these must remain in good health like the rest of the body and mind.
7. Self Defence
The word karate is translated to mean empty hand. There are no weapons involved, although we do teach defence against certain weapons as people progress. Karate requires little natural strength. Wado Ryu, the style we teach at the club, follows a principle of minimum effort with maximum effect.
So through karate we are looking to develop people with respect, discipline, confidence and good health. All these attributes are seen as lacking in today's society somewhat. How often do we hear of the youth in particular with no respect, no discipline, and young people lacking in confidence or health. With karate (and many other sports) we can aim to improve the health, confidence, respect and discipline seen in at least some of society.
KARATE AS A SELF DEFENCE IS WITHOUT EQUAL
