The benefits of Traditional Karate Training

Madeline Aguillo, Ishigogyu, Canada

“Karate is like philosophy. Everybody has his own opinion. Who is right? Who is wrong? Nobody can say. Each and everyone must try to attain his/her goal and show that they have created something in their lifetimes.” These wise words were spoken by a well-respected professor by the name of Mitsusuke Harada.  I couldn’t agree more with Professor Harada’s meaningful words. In this essay, I will express my own opinions on the benefits of my karate training, how it has shaped me, strengthened me, and how it is influencing my life.

I was enrolled into karate at the age of three. It was obvious from a very young age that I was passionate about my training. I took a serious approach and wanted to succeed in this activity of my choosing. Over the next six years, I participated in three different styles of karate. When my parents separated 4 years ago, I moved Whitby where I currently practice Goju-Ryu style of karate-do. By the time I was nine years old, I aspired to some day achieve the highest rank possible. I was completely committed to doing so--physically and mentally. Unfortunately, an unplanned series of family events forced me to put my karate training on hold for two years until the age of eleven. I missed karate terribly during this 2-year period. I was determined to continue my training.

Now, at the age of thirteen, I have just recently returned to karate education. This was a significant decision for me to make, and I am grateful for the opportunity to return to this incredibly rewarding sport. For many years, karate was more than just an activity to me; it was more like a life style, a philosophy that I chose to shape my life.  Karate has supported me through some of the most trying events in my life.   Karate helped me feel strong, courageous and balanced through my parents divorce, my father’s stroke, and even in dealing with bullies.

My mother likes to tell me the story of when I was a young child of 4 years old, playing in the yard with some neighbourhood kids. A 7 year old playmate was picking on me, making fun of me, and pulling my hair. I gave him clear warnings to stop his tormenting of me. I spoke to him firmly asking him to step away from me and take his hands off me. My early karate teachings were playing in my head reminding me to attempt resolution first with my words. I had given him three distinct requests to stop his behaviour. He did not.  So, as his aggressive behaviour toward me continued I chose to use my self defence skills to protect myself from any further suffering.  I faced this older child with courage, looked up at him, and with calm, precise, perfect form (my mother contends) I delivered one strong chodan-zuki middle punch to his shoulder with just enough force to make him stumble and scare him away. Thankfully, I never had problems from this bully ever again. 

The composure and courage I learned from karate training in those early years continue to benefit me in my life’s journey in several other ways. Everyday tasks do not overwhelm me. Seemingly intimidating individuals do not frighten me the way they intend, and I have learned resiliency in the face of stressful situations.  In addition, my karate education has also impacted positive change in my personality, my level of physical fitness and health, and also in my confidence and presence; “how I fill a room when I walk into it.”

Personality: From a very young age, my family described me as a creative, confident, occasionally impatient child, who loved being around people, but also enjoyed my own quiet time. Like every other child, as I grew older my personality developed and matured. Now, I am a socially active, open-minded, successful adolescent, ready to take on new challenges and accomplish new goals. With the help of karate, I am working at being the best me I can be, and then giving my strengths back to the world. I know that gaining strength, confidence, and personal power is a life long process.  I am excited to be on this journey! I believe my personal qualities are a result of great parenting, a supportive moral peer group, and focused dedication to my karate training.

 The influence of my training has greatly affected my character and my behaviour. The first way that my karate education has improved my personality is through the respect that I show for every human being, creature and object. In the dojo, students are taught to be courteous and considerate toward other students and teachers through our body language and verbal exchanges.  We are told to bow and to use simple terminology and phrases as a sign that we are respectful.  These simple rules of etiquette are important for the foundation of karate training and for the world outside karate. I can only imagine the profound change in our world if everyone practiced extending common courtesy to every other human being.

One of the most important skills that my karate training has taught me is how to appropriately control my emotions in frustrating situations. I know that I am responsible for, and in control of my thoughts, my actions, and my body.  If a friend is bothering me or an assignment mark I received is disappointing, I can always find a way to release that tension through my physical training. For example, I will often focus on my troubles and use them as fuel to help me punch with more power, kick with added speed or even to run just a little longer than I thought I could. This aspect of my training affects my attitude and outlook on everyday matters.  Pushing hard like this releases stress, and builds my strength and my character.

Through the act of releasing my worries and troubles, I am opening my mind to receive the positive aspects of life. I am able to block out negative thoughts, focus on the positive, be grateful, and react productively in trying situations. Every time my sensei corrects my technique or explains a difficult concept, my mental strength is building. I am so grateful for this. This could almost be considered my “mental toughness,” and this aspect definitely shines through in my personality.

Physical Fitness: The second beneficial attribute of my karate training is the physical fitness abilities and the overall health advantages that I obtain. Proper nutrition alone is not sufficient to maintain a healthy “karada” or physical body.  I believe that karate is a sport that will benefit each student in every aspect of their physical well-being.  I personally have reaped the rewards of my deep physical commitment.

What makes karate training so unique compared to other physical sports is the variety of skills that you are learning, all of which can be applied in the outside world. For example, coordination skills can be acquired during practise of multiple techniques and exercises in karate training. A personal example of how karate has benefited me is that my endurance has increased dramatically since I recently returned to martial arts training; I completed my first 5 kilometre race in autumn. As well as coordination and endurance, I have noticed improvements in my speed and agility. One especially helpful skill that I have picked up on is awareness of my surroundings.  Through repetition of technique we are taught the foundation of these activities.   

These physical skills are all extremely useful, but in my opinion the one life skill that karate prepares a student for best is self defence. Of all of expertise that can be taught in karate, self defence is the only one that will teach a student how to survive in the outside world. Self defence skills have equipped me with the knowledge and cleverness to protect myself from any physical force that might otherwise harm me. This is one quality about karate that makes it different than any other sport.

The reason that I find karate to be such a suitable sport for myself is that it is a non-competitive, safe environment where I am comfortable to perform to my best personal standard and goals. The fact is I am just not a competitive person. I would much rather compete with myself, and this way everyone wins! I prefer this mind shift in challenging myself, rather than feel obligated to compete on behalf of a team. The physical endeavour of karate allows me to work with people, so that we can all accomplish and sometimes exceed our personal objectives. This “getting into myself” allows me to fully focus on what I am doing, on my performance, without the distractions or expectations in the outside world.  

Identity:  Another way that my karate training has benefited me is through my confidence and presence. I have been told that I carry myself with assurance and security, and that I am noticed when I walk into a room.  I am not sure if I would say the same things about myself, but I do know that my karate training has dramatically transformed my belief in my own ability and my confidence in myself. I am a better person because of it, and other people can see that in me.

As a result of my training, I have overcome many struggles that I might not have been so triumphant with otherwise. This is mostly due to the confidence boost I receive every time I successfully complete a physical activity, a karate assignment, or a challenging class. I have been able to rise above the stereotype that is often placed on women; that we are not suited for martial arts. I am proud of my accomplishments, and I have no problem expressing that through my actions. 

Another way that my identity has been influenced by my karate training is in how others view me because of my karate-ka attitude.  I know that I have a different reputation than some other students my age and I fully embrace that. I just hope that even if someone does not know I train in karate, that they will be drawn to me because they sense that I have something positive and supportive to give. I hope that as people get to know me, they will notice my constructive qualities and strong character that have become who I am throughout my karate training. 

This conclusion paragraph was written after returning home from a mid-week karate class. I suppose that the best way to summarize this essay is to explain the feelings I am experiencing right now.

My first observation is that I feel re-energized and ready to take on any new challenge. Second, although I am tired, I feel alive, aware, and satisfied with my physical accomplishment this evening. At this moment, I feel as if my day is complete. Today was a good day. Tomorrow will be a good day. I may not have achieved every goal I set for myself today, and that’s what tomorrow if for. I ended today on a positive note. The most powerful feeling that I am having right now is one of ease throughout my mind, body, and spirit. I feel as if, even to the smallest degree, I have been improved, through my effort, my focus, my desire, and my reputation. I know for certain karate is a valuable part of my life’s journey, an integral part of the healthy lifestyle I am choosing. And karate is the defining path that I am currently traveling on. I know that it will take a while, but I am prepared to continue this experience of balancing my mind, body, and spirit, to becoming the best person I am training to be. I will enjoy the journey as well as the destination.