When the artist Hoan Kosugi designed the tiger
as the emblem for our Shotokan style of karate, he said later on, that the
performances in the dojo of Sensei Gichin Funakoshi exuded such a tremendous
powerful feeling that the only thought that came to his mind was the image
of the tiger.
The majestic
inner power that is the strong base of Traditional Shotokan Karate, couldn’t
escape the experienced eye of this real artist and friend of Sensei Funakoshi
even though he tried to cover his performances under a veil of calm and
humbleness, which indeed he was.
Besides
being one of the most effective systems of self-defense, the practice of
Traditional Shotokan Karate-Do brings and develops in the practitioner many
other important and vital benefits and talents. It is a sure way to strengthen
one's self-confidence and improve our power of concentration. J.K.A. SHOTOKAN
KARATE is and art that teaches young and old to defend against attacks
by troublemakers, but also teaches not to use this art needlessly.
At the
beginning practitioners are guided step by step patiently, then, when they
have learned the techniques, they are thought how to perform them under the
stress of an imminent attack.
For the
beginners the first “test of courage” comes with the practice of “San Bon
kumite”-three steps sparring. The benefits of this practice and other higher
forms of kumite -sparring, leads the practitioner to learn how to handle
his problems in and out of the dojo -training hall, with self-confidence
and calmness.
Shotokan
instructors are well known by the way they get involved with their students
and together with the rest of the club, they try to motivate all the practitioners
to do their best. In a club can be found a youngster in his early teens
who has learned how to perform dozens of techniques and moves together with
a grown-up professional that changes his business suit for a karate-gi -training
suit, in order to get in shape and relax from the pressures and stress that
his duties may bring. Also is possible to find parents that are training
alongside their children in order to be an intimate part of their development
as responsible human beings.
Inside our J.K.A. Shotokan karate clubs social positions are put
aside, and people from different walks of life are equally united in trying
to reach higher ideals of life.
Compared to other sports, specially team sports, NOBODY
IN OUR J.K.A. SHOTOKAN CLUBS is put to sit on a bench. Every practitioner,
regardless of his talent, can participate in his clubs' activities like
camps, demonstrations, competitions, etc., as well as others.
Even though
J.K.A. SHOTOKAN KARATE is practiced usually without
a partner, it fills the practitioners social need of belonging to a group.
Practitioners generally develop strong and life lasting friendships. Also,
practitioners get constant criticism and encouragement from their instructor,
which in turn help them to develop a much better technical level and improve
their power of concentration.
The practice
of J.K.A. SHOTOKAN KARATE-DO offers clear and sure
ways for development that modern day sports hardly ever do. For example,
the obtaining of a higher ranking belt is the result of a personal effort,
also, the performance in front of public during tests and competitions develops
their ability to carry themselves with self-confidence pose and self-control.
Sometimes
people when they feel that their status of respectability and equality as
human being is threatened, react quite violently. These are the type of
negative feelings that are the target for an honest instructor to teach
his students to get rid off. Contrary to popular belief, J.K.A. SHOTOKAN
KARATE-DO does not prepare a practitioner to put down or vanquish
a troublemaker. Generally they try to refrain from violent behavior and
when trouble makers observe the calm and self-confident state of mind of
the practitioner, they usually go away without a fight.
Practitioners
themselves are thought to get rid of their negative and violent attitude
in a positive way by their instructors constant reminders.
As a Traditional Karate-Do Sensei I am in constant
contact with the students, specially when the beginner’s course is opened
and new aspirants come to register at my club. I listen constantly to all
kinds of comments and warnings from this group in respect to their personal
handicaps:
“I am a guitar player, so I wouldn’t
like to participate physically when you teach the group how to break bricks
and boards.”
“I would like to join your karate club very much, but I must tell you that
I do not like to practice sparring because I wear glasses and without them
I can not see at all."
“I have always been kind of weak, so I hope that you will not demand too
much from me other wise I must stop coming.”
I think
that these types of comments are very familiar to us all. Well, whether you
are an Instructor or not you have heard them often enough, and surely you
could even add a few statements of your own.
New practitioners would like to begin training
something new and as exotic and foreigner to them as karate, but using the
same old type of mentality used when practicing some calisthenics at school
or playing ball in a neighborhood park.
When we begin karate, we all have the same problems. We think that our
situation is considerably more critical and special than the others. For
that reason we must constantly remind our fellow karateka that we can not
hit the “makiwara," striking board, because it may hurt our fingers and
can not play guitar. Or that when punching to our face, they must not to
try so hard because it may break our glasses, and so on.
“When a person comes to practice in a karate club he doesn’t need more
than a normal good and healthy physical condition, average mental level and
the willingness to follow closely the instructions of his Sensei. That is
all”
Sensei can
notice if a person does not have two arms, or he wears glasses, or he is weaker
looking than normal. A good Sensei will never purposely create a situation
in which a practitioner will get hurt. All these problems most of the time
are excuses that the student makes in order to protect himself from the images
that he has created in his mind about karate because of some movie that he
has seen. The best he can do is trust himself, trust his Sensei and forget
about the images that movies have created in his mind.
Practitioners can best avoid burnout by maintaining a realistic and positive
attitude toward the martial arts. Be dedicated and disciplined, but not
a fanatic. Become knowledgeable about your particular art. Learn its history
and who its famous personalities are. Read books and magazines to increase
your awareness of the arts. Visit other Dojo to compare styles. And most
importantly, if you recognize any of the symptoms of burnout in yourself,
start right now to correct them. Remember, only you can determine how long
you will last in the martial arts.
“Thus, when a person comes into a dojo
he has to leave at the door all his problems and complexes, in the dojo
there is room only for him”
Unfortunately movies have given people a mistaken idea about karate, because
they usually emphasize violence, but the father of modern karate Sensei
Gichin Funakoshi said. The ultimate aim of karate-do is not a higher ranking
belt or defeat one’s opponent in a competition, but, try to development
the character of a practitioner”
This is all SHOTOKAN
KARATE is.
"THE BEST INVESTMENT YOU WILL
EVER DO ON YOUR CHILDREN"
Practitioners don't develop self-confidence only when they are learning how to defend themselves, but also develops when they are learning to achieve a higher technical level, which in turn brings recognition and admiration from the other practitioners, instructors, relatives and friends.
Children can also obtain
self-confidence and self-respect by competing in well run karate tournaments
regardless whether they win or loose. In general, with the practice of Traditional
Shotokan Karate-Do, a child learns also to attain a very positive attitude
towards life and other people, which can be a very big asset in his life.
How about in what concerns to respect and good manners towards others? Children,
in many ways learn in our Dojos (Clubs) about the bad effects of alcohol,
tobacco and drugs in the good development of their mind and body. They learn
how to say "NO" and mean it, to ideas of joining gangs or learning bad manner
and habits.
Through the regular belt tests children learn how to set-up goals of achievement. With steady practice they learn how to obtain their first belt -yellow, but they also learn that in a near future they will also be eligible to obtain the precious black belt. Thus they learn that achievements are a very serious part of their every day life. This desire for achieving is reflected clearly at school and with the family. Later on it will also reflect in their professional careers and with their own wife and children. Some clubs, like the ones from our federation, also make emphasis in the importance of good grades in school.
In order to be eligible for a belt test the
practitioner must keep a record of good behavior and his performance during
the testing time must be of a good level. We expect our practitioners to
perform according to their mental, physical and technical level. I also believe
that practice of Traditional Shotokan Karate-Do is not concentrated only
in learning techniques, but I seriously believe that our style Shotokan makes
a great emphasis in the combine results of the mind, the body and the spirit
and these are constantly emphasized to young and older practitioners.
As you can appreciate the martial art of Shotokan
Karate-Do has a large amount of advantages. As an instructor one of the
most satisfying rewards is to see these children grow into maturity. To
me teaching a very young child is more than just a job. Quite often I feel
that I am the most important part of his life in what respects to his growing
up, and of course this position gives me a great deal of joy and also places
a heavy responsibility on my shoulders. As you could understand these changes
I can do make them happen in one training, but if the child is in our clubs
for more than a year, it will be clearly seen how Traditional Shotokan Karate-Do
has affected his life.
Well, these are not the only benefits of our
Traditional Shotokan Karate-Do. Besides of being a nice hobby, martial arts
are a good way to keep your children in good physical condition. Thus, if
your child doesn't have any hobbies, you should seriously consider our karate.
In finding a good club for yourself or your children you must consider facts
such as honesty, discipline, fairness, friendly atmosphere, respect to others,
good manners, character, etc.
Like products or services, there are also good
schools and bad ones, that is why you should be very careful. Observe a
lesson, talk to the other parents, talk to the instructor and have a good
feeling about your chosen club. I advice parents to take their time in deciding
on a club, but once you have decided register your child there.
