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Is Karate a sport?
No definitely not.
True karate is a Martial Art and a way of life.
At ASKA
we teach
this
Budo (martial way) based
karate training.
Funakoshi Gichin Sensei the man from
whom the Shotokan style takes it's name opposed karate competitions.
What is sports karate?
Following the death of Funakoshi Sensei
in the 1950’s many traditional karate
associations then focused on popularising karate in the sporting arena.
Sports karate needs a completely different mental approach to Budo based
karate training. Sport karate requires specialized training for sporting
tournaments that has little to do with Budo based karate.
Training for the sporting arena encompasses such things as:
-
How to enter an arena
-
Stylizing
karate movements
-
How to score and where to score to
accumulate maximum points in kumite events
-
Knowing and teaching kata that are
popular with the judges and will score over other kata in a competition.
To name but a few.
For those focused on the sporting arena it
becomes incredibly competitive and a very demanding activity.
For Budo based karate-ka, sports
karate is irrelevant.
Choosing an Instructor
Your choice of
instructor will be the most important decision you make in regards to your
Karate. Do not make this decision lightly and do not
base
your decision on superficial things such as
the dojos distance from your home. It
is worth the extra five minute drive to learn from a professional karate
instructor.
Avoid at all costs
those clubs
and instructors who have what I call the 1970’s mentality, i.e. that you
must get bashed in the dojo to toughen you up. No right thinking person
today carries on in this fashion. Find another club. The dojo is a place
where should learn how to effectively defend yourself. It should not be a
place where you become a victim of physical assault because of the
instructor's memories of how it was for him.
My recommendation to anyone wanting to take up karate is to
look at the teacher and not any particular karate association. If the teacher is a person you can relate to (and that is very
important) and displays competence and skill, and by judging the ability of
his/her students you believe that person can teach those skills, then it
matters not if that teacher is an independent karate-ka or a member of one
of the large associations.
Choose a competent instructor in who's class
you
feel most comfortable and relaxed.
What do I need to Start?
Firstly the desire to learn.
Secondly, the courage to pick up the phone and call ASKA
on
0415 261 834 and let Sensei know you are
coming. Everyone is welcome to train with ASKA. Just wear comfortable clothing
(shorts or track suit pants and a T shirt) and try and be at the dojo at
least fifteen minutes before the class starts.
Thirdly, perseverance. Many
people feel uncoordinated when they first start training. That will pass.
Karate training is a personal thing and the individual's progression is
determined by the effort they apply to their training. So be prepared to
make mistakes and learn from them and move on. You do not have to keep up
with others and you will never feel left out because you are a beginner.
We were all beginners once.
Benefits associated with karate training
There are both physical and
mental benefits associated with karate training.
Karate
training is ideal physical fitness. Not only increasing strength and
flexibility but karate training also increases hand eye coordination. The
cardiovascular benefits will be felt after only a few classes. Unlike many
other sports or activities Karate practice trains both sides of the body
equally.
Mentally, you
will increase your ability to focus and stay focused. This training is part
of every karate class you will attend. Focus is essential to driving a car,
doing homework and surviving Karate class. Longer attention spans can be
expected not only in children but adults as well. In the Dojo you must be
aware at all times. In the real world this awareness helps you by
subconsciously taking in your surroundings wherever you are.
At ASKA you will also have the
social benefit of meeting and training with nice people who are genuine
about karate-do.
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