Shotokan Karate is known for its simplicity and effectiveness. Its techniques
are based on the correct application of body dynamics. One also learns to apply
patience, discipline, co-ordination and balance in balance with the delivery of
correct and effective Shotokan techniques. We emphasise harmonious use of mind
and body. At the heart of traditional Shotokan Karate training is the
development of character as well as the conditioning of one's body. In
karate-do, respect for others, calmness, and perfection of character takes
priority over physical skills. Even though Shotokan's techniques can produce
very effective results, Shotokan Karate is much more than a form of fighting. It
is a discipline. For some, it is a catalyst that impacts, sharpens and improves
all aspects of their lives.
Shotokan Karate has also become known as the sport with a purpose and might be
considered as the most ideal physical exercise for children and adults of all
ages. Shotokan style karate offers great benefits such as, greater focus,
increased self-esteem, increased self-discipline, calmness, and a more positive
attitude toward life, as well as knowledge of self-defence. The main focus of
Shotokan Karate training is the perfection of character.
There are as many reasons to take Shotokan Karate, as there are people who take
it. Each individual has his or her own reason for training in Shotokan Karate.
However, three reasons stand out above the rest.
1. SHOTOKAN KARATE AS A PATH TO SELF-IMPROVEMENT.
Some people take Shotokan Karate as a means to improve
themselves. Shotokan Karate can offer rigorous physical fitness training and a
way to improve speed, power, flexibility, co-ordination and confidence. Shotokan
Karate is also studied by some to enhance inner peace and strength.
2. SHOTOKAN KARATE AS A SPORT.
A great many people take Shotokan Karate as a recreational
sport. Some take it to develop skill and technique (as demonstrated in the floor
exercises, or "Kata"), while others who may enjoy competition, take it for the
sparring (limited contact fighting against an opponent, or "Kumite"). Most
people that begin Shotokan Karate training find that they enjoy both aspects of
this sport. In addition to there being regional and national competitions held
throughout the country, the International Olympics Committee has accepted
Shotokan Karate as a future Olympic event.
3. SHOTOKAN KARATE FOR
SELF-DEFENCE.
Shotokan Karate is a very effective way to counter an
attacker. It teaches techniques to subdue or disable. It conditions the reflexes
to react instinctively if attacked. Best of all, no weapons are needed, so
Shotokan Karate can be used whenever and wherever necessary.
Regardless of your reason for taking Shotokan Karate, the time invested in it
will return a lifetime of benefits.
Why Practice Karate?
4.
BENEFITS OF KARATE
This
Shotokan Karate Club is a Shotokan Karatedo club with the primary objective
of introducing the community to the many benefits of training in the art of
Shotokan Karatedo. Shotokan Karatedo was designed to benefit men, women, and
children of all ages by combining fluid techniques and natural body movement.
a) Benefits for adults:
-
Increased motor skills - allow the participants of the program to enhance
their balance and hand/foot/eye co-ordination.
-
Self-discipline - promotes better problem solving capabilities, increased
patience, and less frustration, which is vital to achieving worthwhile
goals.
-
Physical fitness - includes increased flexibility, cardiovascular endurance,
muscle tone, breathing, and overall proper health and fitness.
-
Longevity - to live
longer than average.
b) Benefits for children:
-
Attention span - teaches children to focus on the task at hand.
-
Respect
- children learn the importance of respect in relation to authority figures,
peers, and learning institutions.
-
Leadership skills - children grow and accept responsibility as they progress
in rank
-
Self-esteem - helps children to realise their intrinsic worth.
-
Body
awareness - helps prevent bumps and bruises, and allows children to lead a
more accident free lifestyle.
At the
heart of Shotokan Karate-do lies the emphasis of character development. Our
goal
is for students to take lessons learned in the classroom and apply them to daily
life. Furthermore, we promote family participation in order to rediscover core
family values that have been lost in our modern society.
Shotokan Karate-do is a safe, non-aggressive activity for all to enjoy. It
combines the fun and excitement of sport with time honoured tradition. This is a
program by which we believe we can make a difference in reaching the community
through the teaching of Shotokan Karatedo.
5. THE VALUE
OF KARATE
Those who
follow Karate-do must never forsake a humble mind and gentle manner. The
Tremendous offensive and defensive power of Karate-do is well known where one can
defeat enemies with a single attack. The value of the art depends on the one
applying it. If its application is for good purpose, then the art is of great
value, but if it is misused, then there is no more harmful art than karate. One
who truly trains in the art of Karate-do is never easily drawn into a fight.
Karate is used only in those rare occasions in which one must really defend
one's self. An ordinary person experiences this situation possibly once in a
lifetime, and therefore there may be an occasion to use karate techniques only
once or not at all. In Karate-do, one's individual goal might be improvement of
his or her health or training of his or her body to function efficiently. One
might wish to develop total body strength and co-ordination or to attain poise
and spiritual fortitude. One who trains in Karate do strives internally to train
his or her mind to develop a clear conscience enabling him or her to face the
world truthfully, while externally developing strength.
6.
FOR THE MORE CURIOUS
Shotokan Karate-Do is recognizable by its
linear,
direct punching, blocking, and kicking techniques from low stances. Shotokan
emphasizes correct posture, correct joint alignment, and formality of basic
technique above all else. The Shotokan expert is expected to perform using
strictly defined basic techniques even under harsh conditions. Creativity
and “freelancing” are not looked upon as favorable in Shotokan. Basic
techniques are defined to the minutest detail, and performing them with
absolute perfection is given the highest priority. The intrinsic mastery of
one’s body dynamics to generate fantastic amounts of power is really what
sets Shotokan Karate apart from other styles. The modern science of
Biomechanics and Sports Medicine has been fused with ancient Japanese and
Okinawan training methods to produce one of the most powerful Martial Arts
in Human history…. SHOTOKAN!
The Shotokan view is that purity of raw technique is
most important. The idea behind this is that one elegant technique mastered
so completely that it is as natural as flipping a light switch will finish
off the opponent quickly and efficiently. In situations where there are
multiple opponents, such an ability is believed essential because there may
not be time to throw more than one technique per opponent, and grappling and
getting tangled up with your adversary when two others are also trying to
harm you is probably unwise. Therefore, each Karate technique is maximized
at the expense of learning more complicated defenses. In combat, less is
usually more. Simple techniques win (physical, mental and emotional)
engagements. The Shotokan
belief is that nothing is more important than strong basic technique.
When attacking, the Shotokan expert will drive directly
forward with straight punches and kicks while sweeping at the ankles to
unbalance the retreating opponent. Shotokan experts are familiar with other
types of techniques, but they generally avoid them unless they feel secure
in their superior firepower.
When attacked, Shotokan fighters stand their ground.
They may shift one step to the side in order to flank the attacker, but the
most common defense used is a pre-emptive strike against an incoming
opponent. While Shotokan is simple and does not employ a wide variety of
motions, the few techniques are designed to be mastered to such a high
degree of precision and ease of use that they "truly" become extremely
effective weapons.
