Karate
People believe that …
- Karate is about breaking bricks and boards.
- Karate is only meant for small children and stupid muscle-bound people.
- It is an art that teaches one to fight with or bully others.
- It is an unsafe art in which people hurt each other as a sport.
- People who practice karate can be violent and dangerous.
- Karate is not relevant to a normal person’s life.
- Karate can be self-taught from movies and books.
To refute the above…
Karate is not solely a fighting technique. It is training in self-discipline, self-confidence, concentration, serenity in threatening situations when fear or anger might be the natural response, stamina, controlled energy, swifter reflexes, proper breathing, a positive attitude to life — to mention only a small part. In short karate is training in body and spirit. The total concentration and discipline required to study karate carries over to daily life. The dodo — i.e. the place where karate is studied is traditionally called ‘The Place of Enlightenment’. In it we make contact with and take control of ourselves — our fears, anxieties, reactions, and habits. The ‘Dojo’ is a place of learning and self-enlightenment for both teacher and taught. If the student has the necessary dedication the teacher provides the knowledge and spiritual inspiration, then Karate will reveal itself to have an essence and meaning far removed from just breaking bricks and boards.
Anyone from 6 to 80 can train in Karate. It is important to women especially for self-defense as it alerts the body and quickens the eye. It is a good beauty aid, giving the body symmetry and balance and the face a healthy glow.
Karate is also good for a weak or poorly developed person because it fosters spirit and physical strength, initiates patience and enterprise and generates self-confidence.
At Godwin Modern School, Karate is one of main program imbibed in the curriculum in association with the Karate-Do Association of Darjeeling.
