deadly beauty

The deadly art of Isshinryu Karate is encased in beauty. The physical expressions that enable devastating power in self-defense are arranged in aesthetic patterns that contain a harmonious flow of movement and power.

Few potential students take up karate training with the thought present that they want to learn how to maim or kill other humans. Indeed, such a candidate would be very suspect to a responsible teacher. In most Isshinryu schools that I am familiar with, the lessons are structured to ascertain a student's character, then foster their development. A demented person would learn appropriate behavior, or leave the class out of fustration - before deadly skills were developed. But, sometimes people slip through the cracks.

I'm not saying anything that hasn't been said before. In Richard Kim's classic work, "Weaponless Warriors," he remarks that it is most difficult to convince people of the morality inherent in karate practice.

It falls on the shoulders of the instructor. What is his personal background, and his training background. There is the benefit of having good geneological history. It's the test of time. That is why the Okinawan masters are held in high esteem. The have endured to develop the skills and character worthy of samurai. The samurai placed equal value on developing deadly martial skills and learning to express beauty.

This represents the yin and yang of the human experience.

Being Exact

Exact. The pursuit of being exact instills the discipline required to execute effective karate technique.

Thats a mouthful. Read it again. Break it down into three parts. Look at it backwards - to execute effective karate - discipline is required - pursue exactness. Remember my story about the movie "The Magnificient Seven?" The knife thrower was exact. In karate, that can mean the difference between success and failure.

In Isshinryu Karate, exact training begins with basic karate technique; fifteen specific upper body techniques (strikes & blocks) and fifteen specific lower body techniques (kicks). Each of the techniques puts the body in a unique position to accomplish martial intent.

This is foundation. These are the building blocks. Every body part is placed in a specific position. It takes discipline - it takes patience - it takes determination - it takes perseverence. Do you begin to see a pattern here? If you succeed at acquiring the physical skills of karate, certainly you will have acquired the mental skills also.

But only through the pursuit of being exact!

The Workout

Okay, you go to karate class. You receive a lesson. You practice. What is it, exactly, that you do? Exact! That, is a key word to remember.

Isshinryu Karate emphasizes three areas of practice; basics, kata, and kumite. Therein lie the movements, techniques, and strategies, that define karate.

There are general exercises that help prepare a student to meet the unique physical demands of karate. All students progress at their rate, according to their own ability, and should be taught how to perform the exercises properly and safely.

Calesthetics, stretching, and strengthening exercises that you might find in a high school gym class are most popular: push-ups, running in place, squat jumps, yoga type flexing, twisting, bending, loosening the joints.

The routines may vary, but the exercises are performed in every class. The amount of time spent on the preliminary exercises usually lessens as fitness levels increase. This allows more time to be spent on the execution of karate; the stances, blocks, strikes, kicks, throws, takedowns, and manipulations. Developing theses skills thus becomes the workout. A student may begin with a 50/50 ratio of preliminary exercise to karate execution; then gradually evolve to 40/60, 30/70, 20/80, 10/90. Even the most skilled practicioners find it prudent to warm up before beginning their karate workout.

Karate Business

Karate is a luxury, not a necessity. We can do it because we have time and money. It is a (ugh!) hobby; like bowling or album making. There are karate schools on every corner, next to the Nail Parlors, the Taco Shops, and the Sushi Bars. It's capitalism. We're consumers; its buy and sell. Why should karate be any different.

Some people have capitalized on this concept and have become very successful. They've created a business based on kicking and punching, sprinkled it with some basic psychology, added a dash of metaphysics, wrapped it up in a nice package tied with a black belt, and there you go. There's nothing wrong with that, it's what the market will bear. If a person comes away feeling better about themselves, has more confidence and self-esteem, is more physically fit, even happier, then a successful transaction has occurred.

Its a big world and there is something for everyone. Karate purists (traditionalists) tend to frown upon the big box concept of karate training. It can be viewed as shallow and ineffective karate; a rip off. I think that's mostly true, but so what. Let the buyer beware.

Purists dig deep. Traditionalists hold that the Black Belt represents the beginning of training, and is not the pinnacle of achievement. Unfortunately, that is a hard sell to the general public who've been raised on instant gratification. The masses are not to be faulted. Its just business.

In The Beginning

There are many reasons to begin karate practice. You've probably heard them all; self-defense, flexibility, self-esteem, confidence, physical fitness, balance, and fun. Just to name a few.

I started in order to pursue a woman. A girl I liked was taking ju-jitsu lessons, so I followed her there. We got married, she quit ju-jitsu, we divorced, I stayed married to the martial arts.

I was initially attracted to the lessons by the physicality of practice. I had always been athletic, but the karate and ju-jitsu classes were unique. I had power, speed, and co-ordination. I hit the mat running, but quickly learned that there was a method to the madness.

In order to succeed, I had to control my assets, learn technique, become disciplined. This was an individual endeavor; the emphasis on 'me." There was organization, a clear line of progress, and results that could be seen quickly. There was power to be gained, and recognition for the efforts.

Karate was a good fit for me. The timing was perfect. My physical abilities, my immature character, and my crazy emotions were being harnessed and redirected. I didn't recognize it at the time, but the practice would help me grow. It would become the 'way' for me to govern my life.

I may have never entered that world had it not been for that woman.

The Internet Opened My Eyes

I once thought that my practice was the center of the karate world. Of course I was aware that countless schools of karate were in existence and that thousands of students practiced a variety of martial arts, but I was smug in feeling that what I practiced was unique, true, and best. Funny thing, I still feel that way; however, I now recognize that others are permitted to feel that way too.

I'm reminded of a scene from the movie "The Magnificient Seven." You know, it was a western remake of the great "Seven Samuari." A group of rough gunslingers are hanging around, bragging, telling tales, harmlessly inflating their egos. A quiet and distant James Coburn claims his knife throwing can beat the draw of a gun. A friendly competition ensues; a mock duel, no deadly aim is taken. Coburn is fast, his knife penetrates a wooden post next to the gunman's head while the gun too, is quickly drawn. "I won," Coburn simply states. The gunman is incredulous, and he refuses to believe he was beaten. "Let's do it for real" the gunman demands. A reluctant Coburn steps up, unwilling to back down from challenge. Tthe he gunman slaps leather, and Coburn throws the knife into the gunman's heart. Arguement ended.

Neither participant represented a school or a style.

Whew!

Okay, as usual I was in deep thought about karate - and I regurgitated.

This is my first attempt at blogging. I'll attempt to boil down this crazy world of karate. I'm an Isshinryu practitioner. Been around a few years. Worked my tail off. Became obsessed. Survived. Feel fortunate. I love the art that made me crazy. I love those who practice. I think I can help someone. If only by offering my humble perspective. Drop me a line. I'll be back.