The essence of Karate

Rich_2k3 · Red Belt

How would you sum up karate, what does karate mean to you, the physical aspects, the mental aspects and the purpose of it, is it just to get fitter or to learn to defend yourself or is it somthing deeper to you? what impact does karate have on you as a person, come on people lets sum this fantastic and dynamic piece of art up once and for all!

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"When my enemy contracts I expand and when he expands I contract" - Bruce Lee

aefibird · Black Belt

What does karate mean to me? Everything!

It's a form of self-defence, but it's also so much more than that. It's a way of life and a path to followed until I finally 'give up the ghost'.

I enjoy karate for many reasons, namely,
the physical training,
the "learning something new" side of it,
the interaction with other human beings,
the chance to discover things about myself and my character that karate training has helped to increase (such as discipline, endurance, etc),
the opportunity to learn self defence, plus many more reasons.

When I first started training, I took up karate as a way of learning self-defence and also because a friend had started. Now I know that, yes, karate is a way of learning self defence, but it is much more than than, something that it takes a lifetime's study to fully appreciate I think.

Good question Rich!

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"Was it really worth it? Only time and death may ever tell..." The Beautiful South - The Rose of My Cologne

Sheffield Steelers!

Jussi Häkkinen · Purple Belt

Training. Staying fit. A great hobby.

I used to think that it means more...but...no, not really. It's a part of my life, but nowadays I keep it from infecting everything too much. It's a hobby - and hobbies are an important thing in our lives.

In our society, we don't need martial arts to teach us values or philosophies. We can access that knowledge via books, via internet and via other information channels. Our educational level is also generally higher than the founding fathers of karate did have - so, we have a better base for analyzing the gatheret knowledge.

Karate is a rich hobby. You can train and you can study the history. You can also - for curiosity - analyze the connected things - such as so called "philosophy" - to the modern philosophy.
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Jussi Häkkinen
Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Seibukan Karate-Do (Kyan Chotoku lineage)
Turku
Finland

Budderfly · Orange Belt

Martial Arts is a part of my life like breathing. I couldn't live without being a part of it somehow. My life would have something missing without it.

My school is my family. I'll help them out however I can and I know they would do the same for me.

I first went to get exercise and learn how to defend myself. Now I am closer to my Black Belt goal, I'm assisting the instructor with kids classes and I feel I am there to help pass the knowledge to other students. I have learnt so many habit building skills as well. It's really improved my life. This is a good question and I'd like to emphasize more, but I really need to sit down and marinate more on this.

bearqst · White Belt

Its a state of mind. I work as a computer network admin, I exercise at a gym 2 to 3 time a week and pratice when I can (also weekly if not daily).
Karate gives me a means to concentrate on my self and my life. It provides a means to evaluate my physical being as well as my inner self.

More than that I can not say..
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Kenpo-
Law of the Fist and Empty Hand

G95champ · Black Belt

karate is a method of facing the events life sets in your path
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(General George S. Patton Jr.) "It's the unconquerable soul of man, and not the nature of the weapon he uses, that ensures victory."

MawashiGeri60 · Orange Belt

A QUESTION TO ALL THE KARATEKAS WHO answered this forum questions . I was meaning to know .. how does karate do all of this .. i mean the only thing we do in karate is train exercise . thats it . basically . how does that work with ur life and aspects of confidence and your goals toward your future . people say so many things that they probably just making up .. let me know so i can change that thought . i need you to respond as soon as possible
OSU

hajime · Orange Belt

you get fit, learn how powerful your body can become, you adopt self control and awareness. you avoid street fights because they are beneath you

you have fun and make friends

there was no 'religious' aspect to Karate when I studied it
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700 hours of official training. Injury finished me dammit!
1st Kyu Wado Ryu

Guest · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2003 3:28 pm Post subject:

I practice karate because I like to. It is a good activity for me, as a computer programmer, to get physical a few nights a week. The self defense aspect is a big part, but I could say that I would still enjoy it, even without it. Let's face it, most of the things we learn in traditional karate would never work anyway. I've also aquired a few new friends as an added benefit.

I can say that karate is a part of my life, as I spend several hours a week doing it, but I wouldn't call it part of my being, or my essence or what have you. I don't get into any of the philosophical aspects of karate do, or budo or anything like that.

Jussi Häkkinen · Purple Belt

smr: Excellent input.
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Jussi Häkkinen
Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Seibukan Karate-Do (Kyan Chotoku lineage)
Turku
Finland

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