Karate is never
to be used for instigating violence. Karate was developed in a time
of civil unrest in Okinawa as a means of self defence for the
general population and the skills taught should only ever be used in
that context. Our primary aim as a truly traditional karate school
is to pass the art on for that purpose.
By practicing techniques which are
potentially harmful to an attacker, students learn moderation. By
experiencing how very easy it is to cause injury the karate-ka
develops a responsibility not to cause injury.
A properly trained karate-ka (one who
practices karate) will avoid a violent confrontation and always seek
peace and tranquility. If this is not possible then karate training
contains all the fundamental elements of physical combat that can be
used in self defence situations.
If threatened the karate-ka’s response
to violence or the threat of violence will be directly proportional
to the level of threat he faces.
The combative elements contained
within karate training for use in self defence include:
|
Atemi-waza |
Striking
techniques |
|
Bunkai Oyo |
Applications
that are contained within the kata |
|
Kansetsu-waza |
Joint locking
and arm bar techniques |
|
Kobudo |
Weapons
instruction |
|
Kyūshojutsu |
"vital point art". These vital points in the human body can
be attacked to produce
a variety of painful or debilitating effects
in self defence situations |
|
Kuzushi |
Unbalancing
the opponent |
|
Nage-waza |
Throwing
techniques |
|
Ne-waza |
Groundwork and
grappling. Grappling techniques can also be performed in
standing situations as well as on the ground |
|
Shime-waza |
Choking
techniques |
The more dangerous techniques are only
explained at brown belt level and above.
Let there be no mistake. Karate
training can produce an extremely violent response to an attack on
the person of a trained practitioner if that is what is required.
In the dojo (training hall) ASKA
students practice non contact karate i.e. they do not strike each
other. Just because we do not strike or counter strike each other
with force at training does not mean that we can’t, it means that we
choose not to.
Students learn control and practice
effective karate that can be used in self defence situations in a
safe family environment. At the same time their karate training
provides increased levels of fitness, self confidence, self control
and a general increase in the student’s level of well being both
mentally and physically. |
