Karate - What's in a name?

Mention the word karate to most people outside the karate world and it probably conjures up images of breaking bricks, strange howling noises and aggressive posturing. To some it might even suggest the Olympics. But in our experience most people are unaware of the breadth and variety of karate styles and philosophies. The phrase “horses for courses comes” to mind. If you want to win medals, break bricks or hit ten bales out of each other, then there are clubs that can offer those experiences, but not all karate clubs are the same.

Of course we practice all the necessary elements for learning a vibrant and effective self defence system, designed to deal with domestic physical violence, but the sometimes overtly aggressive image of karate can surely be a big put off for a large portion of the general population. We suggest that generally, fighting and the more romantic elements to Japanese martial arts, such as etiquette and the Samurai, or budo tradition, predominantly appeal to the young, usually young men. This is not to say others are not attracted by the allure of martial arts, of course many are, but we’re talking about the greater population, people who may possibly once have heard of Bruce Lee but that’s about it. People who refer to karate, judo and Tae Kwon do as,  “it’s all the same… isn’t it?”

We’re convinced that the power of karate could touch more people’s lives if they were just not turned off by the word karate, or those media induced misconceptions.

In today’s world it’s easy to lose focus.  For parents of a certain age, mums and dads, perhaps their children are getting older, flying the nest, for others maybe their job isn’t providing the buzz it once did, or never did. For sporty types maybe their sporting ambitions or aspirations have reached their natural conclusion, because the legs, or body, aren’t like they used to be!

But regular exercise, intellectual focus and spiritual direction continue to be important if we want to make sense of the world and remain stable when things occasionally fall around us.

Karate practice can offer that stability. Metaphorically karate, like life, is a path. Sometimes the path is easy to navigate; other times its muddy and unpleasant but the message is a simple one, stay on the path and keep moving forward whatever the weather. But like all paths this one needs a destination, an objective. 

The wise Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland recognises this as Alice arrives at a fork in the road, “where do you want to go?” asks the Cheshire cat, “I don’t know” replied Alice. “Then it doesn’t matter which road you take!” said the cat smiling.

Karate can provide a map for a person’s path, and offers a chance to, keep motivated, healthy and push beyond personal limitations. We know we’re bias but frankly karate is so much more than hitting a piece of wood, or bowing to a sensei. Our art needs smart, intelligent advertising which broadens appeal reaching beyond the twenty somethings into the hearts and minds of mature adults who can fall in love with this martial art, just like we did!